Innovation Lab Director

POSITION DESCRIPTION

In 2012, Sal Khan wrote The One World Schoolhouse, in which he outlines how modern education developed and how Khan Academy came to be. But, most importantly, the book outlines a vision for the future of both in-person and online education given the tools we have and the need for many more people to participate in the knowledge economy. In 2014, He founded Khan Lab School to test and refine these ideas in an actual school setting.

Today, Khan Lab School has grown to be a K-12 independent school on two campuses serving over 260 students in Silicon Valley. The Lower School (K-6) program is located in Palo Alto. California. The Upper School (7-12) is located in Mountain View, California. We are seeking a full-time Innovation Lab Director to oversee our new Innovation Hub and corresponding program.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

The Innovation Lab Director at Khan Lab Upper School leads the Innovation Hub, including oversight of the physical space, training of students and faculty, curriculum development, teaching, and partnerships and outreach. The Director will be someone who inspires and supports young people and faculty and loves visionary thinking as well as strategic implementation. They will have a deep knowledge of best practices in design education, including but not limited to, additive and subtractive manufacturing, computer-aided design, engineering, and robotics. We are looking for a team player who has a sense of humor and a passion for working with young people.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

• In collaboration with the upper school director, develop the Innovation Hub’s mission, vision, and goals over the next three plus years.
• Lead, model, and inspire students and fellow faculty.

Physical space & logistics

• A functioning and safe workshop is a must before any other meaningful work can take place
• Director must be able to accurately assess safety concerns
• Need to develop reservation procedures for use of machines
• Must be able to manage workshop budget

Training

• • Offer professional development for faculty on how to incorporate the iHub into their courses, including assessment.
  • Expectations + support
    • Create written guides to 3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC machines
    • Run in-person training sessions

• Student training, especially safety.

Teaching, Curriculum, and Program Leadership

• Teach two year-long elective courses in 3D printing and/or CAD design, depending on student interest.
• Collaborate with teachers to develop subject-specific curriculum.
• Vertical integration of CAD design skills & relevant fabrication skills in grades 7-12.
• Create showcase events and spaces.
• Stay up-to-date on new discoveries in education and learning which relate to innovation and make recommendations for programmatic implementation as appropriate.
• Design and implement curriculum to develop students’ skills and understanding of the tools in the Innovation Hub.
• Serve as one of two Lead Mentors to FRC team, developing students and growing the program to put into practice the skills learned in the Innovation Hub.

Partnerships and outreach

• Establish and sustain community partnerships.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

The ideal candidate will have:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Previous teaching experience in a middle and/or high school environment preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated proficiency in subject area through previous coursework and/or experience.
• A commitment to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Impeccable organizational skills to support the curriculum, classroom processes, and showcase the Innovation Hub space to the wider public.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead a collaborative process with faculty and school leaders to develop a vision, aligned with the school’s mission and faculty needs, that supports students as innovators and design thinkers.
• Design, deliver, and oversee professional development and growth experiences in areas of innovation, technology integration and work with faculty to foster an environment of thoughtful, creative, and independent use of technology and ways of building excitement for leveraging technology in the curriculum.
• Create and manage the Upper School Innovation Hub, a maker and media lab where students are able to design, prototype, and.
• Evaluate instructional technology tools and guide senior academic leaders on strategic and operational decisions involving hardware, software, and services to enhance student learning and innovative pedagogy.
• Teach in an area of expertise: robotics & engineering, new media, design thinking, Entrepreneurial Studies

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills: written, verbal, presentation, and training;
• Bachelor's degree in a related content area required, Master's degree in Education Technology or related field preferred;
• Knowledge of design thinking and project-based learning (PBL) principles and experience helping faculty design curriculum that applies these practices to teaching and learning;
• Experience with the Google suite of applications on iOS, OS X, chrome, Adobe suite;
• Willingness to research, learn, and share new technologies with students and faculty;
• A demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion and belonging;
• A history of professional learning in areas of curriculum, pedagogical innovation, and program development within schools

APPLY NOW

Compensation

Competitive compensation commensurate with experience.
Tuition remission, Health, dental, and vision benefits
Salary: $120,000

Start Date: Summer 2023

Location: In-person, on-site at our Mountain View campus.

Number of Positions to be Filled: 1

Employment: Full Time

Khan Lab School is an EOE and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, place of national origin, sex, age, veteran status, sexual orientation or physical handicap in its employment practice.