Director of Innovation & Design

The Moses Brown School – 775 students N-12 in Providence, RI – is seeking a Director of Innovation & Design who will be the inaugural manager of a new, 5,000 sq. ft. maker space (the Y-Lab) and a leader in creating a school-wide program focused on innovation, design, and engineering.

Moses Brown, a 232-year old Quaker day school, is deeply engaged in a cultural and capital campaign, actively accelerating its position as an innovative 21st century learning community. This faculty position presents a unique opportunity for a highly creative professional to play a central role in shaping a new program, a new space, and the near-term future of one of the oldest independent schools in the country.

An expert in maker pedagogy and the tools that support it, the Director of Innovation & Design is a teacher, coach, and mentor. Reporting to the Director of STEM Education, s / he works with teachers on curriculum design and integration, looking for opportunities to bring a ‘hands-on, minds-on’ approach to all academic disciplines and grades. The Director also teaches several courses per year such as Computer Science / Programming or Digital Design & Fabrication and organizes extra-curricular activities and summer camps such as Robotics or an Inventor’s Club.

Below covers everything you need to know about what this opportunity entails, as well as what is expected from applicants.

The Director is an experienced craftsman, engineer, tinkerer, and inventor. S / he has a curiosity for how things work and a flair for designing real-world student projects that foster experimentation and collaboration and demand rigorous application of skills and knowledge. The Director is as comfortable with 3D scanners and CNC routers as s / he is with sewing machines and glue guns, and understands how to keep students safe and productive in a 21 st century maker space.

While the exact job responsibilities and schedule will evolve together with the program and its physical space, the Director of Innovation & Design will :

• Lead and collaborate with faculty in the design of new maker courses, projects, and units of study in all divisions;
• Provide MB teachers with ongoing professional development that enhances instruction and technical skill development;
• Manage all aspects of the Y-Lab maker space, including budgeting, supplies, maintenance, and safety protocols.

The ideal Director of Innovation & Design has a technical degree and / or similar career work experience. S / he is proficient in (or eager to learn) the typical software and hardware of a school-based design studio, including CAD / CAM and / or Open Source Design software; programming languages such as Java, Python, Robot C (Arduino), or Scratch; and machines such as 3D scanners and printers, laser cutters, CNC routers and their associated tools and equipment. Experience with VEX robotics is desirable. Beyond these threshold capabilities, the Director must be a dynamic person with strong interpersonal skills, and above all a passionate and experienced teacher who loves working with children and inspiring their curiosity.

This is a full-time, exempt faculty position. Interested applicants should send a letter, c.v., and link to any relevant projects or curriculum materials to : y-labsearch@mosesbrown.org

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