APPLY NOW — Or, if you are already an active candidate with Southern Teachers, please contact your placement counselor.
St. Gabriel’s Catholic School and St. Michael’s Catholic Academy together create one outstanding co- educational Independent Catholic school serving students from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade on two adjacent campuses in Austin, Texas. The Lower School is comprised of PreK 3-4th grades, the Middle School houses grades 5-8, and the High School contains grades 9-12. St. Gabriel’s and St. Michael’s is a Christ-centered, college preparatory learning community, inspiring lives of service, courage, personal integrity, and intellectual curiosity. We are distinguished by our Catholic tradition, a welcoming and diverse community, excellent academic programs and a variety of extracurricular activities. Additionally, we are a technology rich school. Thus teachers are expected to demonstrate meaningful skill with technology and an enthusiasm for technological growth in order to create authentic learning experiences for their students. Teachers at St. Gabriel's and St. Michael’s further serve as role models that inspire students to critically think, reflect, explore and apply their faith concretely to their lives. We are one community, on two campuses, with three divisions, united in our commitment to put students first as we educate them in mind, body, and spirit.
St. Gabriel’s Catholic School seeks a dynamic, experienced, collaborative, and creative individual with a deep understanding of design thinking principles, project based learning, and inquiry based learning to serve as our PreK 3 - 12th grade Director of Innovation. The ideal candidate will be a leader, thinker, and instructor of Innovation and STEAM who is responsible for building effective and collaborative relationships with students and faculty. The Director must possess and demonstrate a growth mindset and a student-centered approach to best support faculty development and instructional innovation. This full-time, 12-month position is hired and evaluated by the Head of School.
Responsibilities
Serve as a thought leader on student learning of empathy-centered problem solving and design practices
Research, lead and co-teach lower and middle school students through hands-on projects in design thinking, coding, robotics, and fabrication
Develop and teach classes in dlab and partner with classroom teachers on cross-curricular content
Present engaging content to the PreK 3 - 12th grade community through digital citizenship and wellness events
Support school wide events like Saber Expo of Excellence, a project based learning and maker expo
Create and revise a dlab/STEAM curriculum for 8 week Summer Camp program
Coding experience: MaKey MaKey, Ozobots, and Ozmos as well as CoSpaces, Scratch and ScratchJr, Python, and Java
Support STEAM Curriculum Coordinator with implementation of PK-4th grade math/robotics program using ClassConnect (Wonder Workshop)
- Instructional/Educational Technology Innovation Leader
Host parent chats around relevant EdTech and Digital Wellness
Support implementation of EdTech Platforms: Google Classroom, Seesaw, Flipgrid, Nearpod, Newsela, Prodigy and more
Manage and support the use of VR kits to deepen learning opportunities
Provide guidance and leadership to administration around the implementation of new Ed Tech tools, platforms or programs.
Envisioning and researching new EdTech implementations as needed
- Design Lab (dlab) Management - Work with the STEAM Curriculum Coordinator to
Create an inviting, safe, and engaging environment in the dlab for students and faculty in both lower and middle school
Assist students and faculty to be successful in their projects by providing expertise and experience
Create and revise written guides/manuals for dlab procedures and machines
Keep and update calendaring system to book time in the dlab
Experience with using and maintaining graphic design platforms, 3D Printing, woodworking, laser cutting, digital fabrication, and power tools
Train students and faculty on tools and equipment within the dlab
Work with Summer Camp faculty to implement dlab/STEAM curriculum
Maintain a clean and safe dlab for all users. This includes but is not limited to:
Maintain (and repair when necessary) lab equipment
Order routine and project supplies
Manage and keep track of safety training for all dlab users
Manage project and material storage
Manage Innovation/STEAM/dlab budget
In collaboration with the Lower and Middle School Heads, support faculty with innovative approaches to curriculum: ideation, planning, and implementation through monthly team meetings as well as one-on-one meetings with individual teachers
Work collaboratively with the SGCS and SMCA Ed Leadership Team to support faculty
Train and support LITE (Leader in Innovative Technology and Education) Sabers- small group of faculty leaders who mentor and support colleagues with EdTech tools and platforms
Offer guidance and professional development for faculty on how to incorporate the dlab into their courses
Help to develop and facilitate high-quality, timely, and innovative professional development
Mentor and help onboard a small group of new faculty
Qualifications and Education Requirements
- Possess a growth mindset
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Excellent interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to collaborate with students, department chairs, faculty, staff and parents
- Ability to multitask and prioritize work
- A collaborative, inquisitive and tinkering mentality
- A positive attitude and the willingness to approach learning new skills in flexible and creative ways
- Experience managing and teaching children in a PK-12 school maker space
- Expertise/passion in Ed. Tech, Innovation, and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math)
- At least five years as a classroom teacher
- At least two years in a school leadership role
- Master’s degree in Education or STEAM related field
Ideal candidates for positions at our school are experienced in and continue to develop expertise in social- emotional learning, project-based learning, STEAM integration, technology-rich and differentiated instruction. Ideal candidates thrive in a collaborative environment designing and delivering innovative and creative cross- curricular instructional units to students with diverse learning styles and needs.
