Innovation and Technology Lead

Innovation and Technology Lead Division/Department: Innovation and Entrepreneurship program Reports To: Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Location: Palos Verdes, CA Level/Grade: K-12 Position Type: Full-time Exempt Position Summary Chadwick's evolving Innovation and Entrepreneurship program is a hub for innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship, creating the next generation of leaders through hands‑on experiences that engage students in solving real‑world problems with cutting‑edge technology. The Innovation and Technology Lead is an inspired educator and builder who works hand‑in‑hand with the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Director to continuously shape and evolve a K–12 Innovation program that stays ahead of a rapidly changing technological landscape and prepares students for a future that is not yet fully defined. Responsibilities Serve as the lead for the Innovation strand, working closely with the Director and teachers to advance a coherent, mission‑aligned K–12 program. Partner with the Director to continuously evolve the program’s sequence, offerings, and curriculum in response to a rapidly changing technological landscape and emerging needs of students, ensuring coherent backward‑designed progressions of skills and learning experiences across divisions. Support K–12 Innovation, computer science, and robotics teachers through observations, feedback, and collaborative planning. Champion K–12 AI literacy, coordinating how students and faculty engage thoughtfully with AI across its evolving forms. Cultivate relationships with alumni, parents, and outside experts to bring practitioners into the program as speakers, mentors, and collaborators. Oversee the fabrication and robotics labs, collaborating with the Innovation Technician and Robotics Coaches on maintenance, equipment upgrades, consumable inventory, and on‑site operation of high‑volume equipment. Lead or co‑lead the Innovation Board, a student‑led group that helps strengthen and expand the program across campus. Work with the Director to oversee program budgets related to materials, equipment, and programming. Teach an Upper School section related to area of expertise. Teach a suite of 6–12 Innovation co‑curricular experiences, bringing design thinking, fabrication, engineering, and AI fluency to life for students across the Middle and Upper School experience. Partner with Village STEM and K–12 Innovation teachers to co‑teach or support learning experiences as needed. Create inclusive, student‑centered classroom and lab environments that inspire curiosity, risk‑taking, and joyful making. Maintain grades, comments, class calendars, gradebooks, and course sites accurately and on time. Attend relevant department and faculty meetings and school events, including professional development, Back‑to‑School Night, parent‑teacher conferences, assemblies, graduation, and other community events. Engage in new faculty orientations and professional learning throughout the first year at Chadwick. Perform other duties as assigned. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred. Minimum of five years of teaching experience in innovation, design, STEM, or a related field. Demonstrated experience leading or coordinating a program, team, or department; cross‑divisional collaboration experience preferred. Strong facilitation and mentoring skills. Strong written and oral communication skills with students, families, faculty, and administrators. Student‑centered, innovative approach to teaching and program design with a globally minded perspective. Joyful, enthusiastic, reflective, and collaborative colleague with a commitment to lifelong learning. Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in curriculum and program design. Compensation $83,000 – $95,000, based on years of teaching experience, highest degree earned, qualifications, and experience. Preferred Experience Fabrication tools: 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines, Cricut, and associated CAD/CAM software. Electronics, prototyping, and robotics: Arduino, Microbit/Hummingbird, Makey Makey, VEX V5, VEX IQ. AI literacy, computer science, and programming, including conversational AI, agentic tools, AI‑assisted coding, and wearable/embedded AI applications. Work Environment and Physical Requirements Required to lift and carry up to 25 lbs. in a correct manner consistent with training provided by the School. Occasional use of hands to handle or feel objects, touch and use tools, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, bend, stoop, twist, lift, reach, push, pull, grasp, balance, kneel, crouch, crawl, talk, hear, and walk during the course of employment. Specific vision abilities required: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and an ability to adjust focus. Use of telephone, computer, copier, and other office equipment in the course of a day. Required to sit while operating word processing equipment for 6–8 hours daily; repetitive motion for typing and other keystroke needs. Encounters with weather conditions such as warm, hot, or cold temperatures. Moderate noise level in the work environment. Clearances Required TB assessment and Livescan background check. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Chadwick School is committed to creating an inclusive community that celebrates diverse perspectives and experiences. Candidates are expected to demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in curriculum and program design. #J-18808-Ljbffr Chadwick School