Hawken School is committed to doing school differently and better. We seek to create an inclusive and accepting community where adults are empowered to design educational experiences for students that are deep and learner-centered. Hawken School seeks culturally competent teachers, administrators, and staff members who are committed to equity and social justice, who are comfortable taking risks, and who embrace a growth mindset. We are constantly looking for new ways to inspire student curiosity and agency while remaining dedicated to nurturing compassion and kindness in our students.
THE POSITION:
Hawken Middle School is seeking an innovative and passionate educator to teach Computational Thinking and Design for grades 6-8. The ideal candidate will guide students in developing logical reasoning skills through computer programming, robotics, and hands-on design projects.
The Computational Thinking program allows students to learn logical reasoning by using computer programming languages and designing small- and large-scale projects. The goal of the computational thinking and design program is to help students tackle problems that may not have solutions or have multiple different types of solutions using the tools available to them and adapt their knowledge based on the most current research and practices.
THE ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
● Teach multiple elective courses across three grade levels. Example courses include Game Design with Scratch, Website and App Development, Robotics and Engineering, Circuit Design, Community Design Projects, and Recycled Art and Technology
● Create and maintain a project-based learning environment
● Guide students in developing authentic solutions to real-world problems
● Create and implement various assessment types (formative and summative)
● Meet students where they are, differentiating or personalizing instruction to ensure each student is supported and challenged
● Provide detailed feedback using mastery-based rubrics aligned with clearly articulated learning outcomes
● Coach or lead at least one significant co-curricular activity within the Middle School
● Advise a group of 10-12 students, providing support and guidance as they journey through middle school
● Use technology as appropriate to support student engagement, including Canvas (Learning Management System), Microsoft Outlook, and other resources
● Manage the Goldberg Family Innovation Lab resources and equipment
● Perform other non-teaching duties as assigned by the Middle School Director or Head of School
QUALIFICATIONS:
● Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Education, or a related field
● Experience with Scratch programming, web development, robotics platforms (Ozobots, VEX), circuit design and electronics, and engineering and design principles
● A deep understanding of adolescence and a passion for working with this age group as they engage in the complex issues of today’s world
● Familiarity with diverse ways of engaging students with a range of learning needs, enhanced by a desire to try new approaches
● Interest in and experience with helping students develop positive learner identities
● A continuous commitment to improving teaching proficiency
HAWKEN CANDIDATE COMPETENCIES: Mission, Culture, and Philosophy Alignment: Successful candidates show they can thrive at Hawken and are highly motivated by the school’s mission. Fair Play: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice: Successful candidates indicate a commitment to and have experience with serving students and communities equitably. Relationship Building and Cultivation: Successful candidates show they can build relationships throughout the Hawken community. Content Knowledge: Successful candidates demonstrate depth in content area knowledge as well as an ability to inspire students to a high level of excellence and challenge and take a student-centered approach to all aspects of their work. Humility and Growth Mindset: Successful candidates are eager to learn new approaches and methods and be able to team effectively with others. Approach to Work: Successful candidates show initiative and agency with a commitment toward feedback and flexible problem-solving.
THE SCHOOL: Founded on the ideal that “the better self shall prevail and each generation introduce its successor to a higher plane of life,” Hawken School is a coeducational independent day school with 1,600 students in toddler through grade 12. Our four campuses are located within 25 minutes of downtown Cleveland, and an urban extension center in the city’s museum district provides a demanding and integrated course of study in a diverse and dynamic environment.
To learn more about us, visit www.hawken.edu.
HOW TO APPLY: Please send a resume, references, and a cover letter to Mr. Jelani Watkins at middleschoolemployment@hawken.edu.
Hawken School is an equal-opportunity employer dedicated to promoting all forms of diversity in the workplace and in our student body. We strongly urge all qualified individuals to apply.
