Middle School CDL (Collaborative Design Lab) Director

Thayer Academy is seeking an experienced, passionate, and team-oriented full-time Director of our Middle School Collaborative Design Lab program and teacher in the IDEA (Innovate, Explore, Design Arts) department. This position reports to the Middle School Director.

Lead our Collaborative Design Lab program- which seeks to ensure students and teachers participate in creative, hands-on experiences in line with the maker education philosophy, and are equipped to bring their own creative problem-solving skills and building abilities to their broader academic experiences and includes 4 lab spaces- CDL, Innovation Lab, Digital Media Lab, and Audio Lab, 

• Teach Middle School students- 2- 8th grade Arts elective, skills-based workshops during intersession classes 
• Lead our CDL elective course offerings (which currently include TATV, From Drawing to Making, and  Build Your Own) and teach one elective each trimester
• Provide student-led learning opportunities in the CDL, such as drop-in workshops and open-making times during Extra Help periods
• Collaborate with the Media Lab Director, MS IDEA Teachers, and US CDL Director
• Collaborate with teachers to support the integration of CDL skills/techniques/processes in their core curricula 
• Oversee the budget for the CDL
• Support and monitor the use of the Collaborative Design Lab, Innovation Lab, Media Lab, and Audio Lab and the resources within these
• Serve as an advisor 
• Lead one afternoon program in the arts for one or more seasons or coach an afternoon sport. 
• Apply practices in the classroom and other settings that foster equity, inclusion, and belonging among Thayer Academy community members
• Engage in ongoing professional development

• A bachelor’s degree required, Masters (or higher) preferred in Education or Arts, Technology or a related field 
• 3+ years of teaching experience at the Middle School or Secondary School level 
• Maker Space or Design Lab knowledge and experience
• Experience with teaching programming, physical computing, or robotics
• Design Thinking knowledge and experience
• Experience using the Adobe Suite (ex. Premiere Pro/Rush, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Dimension)
• Passion for working with adolescents and desire to build relationships
• Demonstrated knowledge of and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in the classroom, in curriculum, and in relationships with members of the school community
• High level of comfort and experience with technology in an educational setting
• Willingness to work on a team in a collaborative department
• Ability to communicate effectively with students and families What we are looking for

• Developing your skills alongside an experienced Middle School Director, faculty, and leadership team.
• Access to 4 creation labs- innovation lab, collaborative design lab, digital media lab, and audio lab
• Robust Resources, Tools, and Budget at your disposal
• An opportunity to draw on your own experiences, as well as learn and teach new skills, supporting your professional development
• Access to professional development opportunities to expand your knowledge and build your program 
• Executing a variety of tasks during the day to keep you engaged and motivated
• Working with young people who thrive when engaged in multiple arenas of school life and a community that welcomes professional growth. 
• Engage in strategies and ideas in collaboration within a community from a broad range of backgrounds and can contribute to a diverse organizational culture
• Competitive salary and benefits

• $75,350 - $81,000

• Please click here to complete an application and upload your resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information for three to five references, including two present or past supervisors.
• Equal Opportunity Act: Thayer Academy is an equal opportunity employer. The Academy complies with and adheres to all state and federal anti-discrimination laws with respect to its employment practices. Thayer Academy does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, or any other category protected under state or federal law. This policy extends to recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, assignment, working conditions, promotions, transfers, termination, re-employment, education, tuition assistance, employee treatment, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. All employment-related decisions are made on a nondiscriminatory basis so as to further the principle of equal employment opportunity.
• Americans with Disabilities Act: Thayer Academy complies with all aspects of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws. This means that we will not discriminate against qualified individuals with a disability in any phase of the employment relationship including application for employment, hiring, promotions and/or advancement opportunities, termination, compensation, training, and any other conditions or privileges of employment.