About Frankford Friends School

Since 1833, Frankford Friends School has offered a values-based Quaker education in the Frankford section of Philadelphia. Frankford Friends School students are members of a community that is highly diverse and inclusive and the racial composition of the school closely mirrors that of the City of Philadelphia. Frankford Friends School`s curriculum emphasizes the 21st century skills of critical thinking, teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving and uses the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a foundational framework to engage students in understanding issues that affect people and the planet. An important aspect of this initiative is the formation of partnerships with people and organizations who are working on the same issues that students explore in class. Not only do students see what action might look like, but they understand the connection between what they learn and local action and service, and become true protagonists for change in their own communities. 

Frankford Friends School has campuses in Frankford (217 students; 3 yrs through 8th grade) and Fishtown (35+ students; 2 through Kindergarten-ready). Our graduates attend selective public and private high schools.

General Position Description

The IDEA Lab Coordinator/Technology Teacher is a member of the FFS faculty responsible for coordinating the school's Problem-Based Learning (PBL) program through the IDEA Lab, teaching students the design process as a distinct framework for approaching problems, and teaching technology classes to students in grades 1–8. This role furthers the school's vision for PBL by partnering with classroom teachers to strengthen how scientific inquiry, design thinking, and technology are integrated into student projects. This includes helping teachers and students collect evidence and data to identify the problem under investigation, apply design thinking as an iterative process rather than a single step, and develop innovative, technology-supported ways for students to synthesize their learning into a final product.

The IDEA Lab Coordinator/Technology Teacher is a school-wide leader for this vision: a collaborative, easy-to-work-with colleague who partners with other teachers to oversee the quality of PBL units, rather than directing that work from the top down. This means working alongside teachers throughout the arc of a project, from framing the problem through the scientific and design-thinking process to the final product, to ensure units consistently push students toward original, evidence-based work rather than a report-back of content learned. They must use a variety of classroom techniques for learning and will plan or co-plan field trips, showcases, and speakers. Curriculum must support the school's focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals and build on the Technology and Tools Matrix.

The IDEA Lab Coordinator/Technology Teacher is highly flexible, collaborative, supportive of the school and its programs, and committed to ongoing professional growth. They must be independent and proactive, and stay at the forefront of learning about and using the technology and tools of the IDEA Lab.

Reports to: Director of Lower School and Middle School / Head of School

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement weekly technology classes for grades 1–8, teaching collaboration and creativity and building on the Technology and Tools Matrix;

• Partner with classroom teachers to advance the school's PBL vision, helping them identify authentic problems for students to investigate and integrate meaningful technology into their units;

• Partner with teachers to oversee the quality and rigor of PBL units school-wide, working alongside them rather than directing from the top down;

• Coach teachers on tools and methods for collecting evidence and data that help students and teachers pinpoint and refine the problem under investigation;

• Help teachers frame PBL units as an iterative scientific and design-thinking process, not a single step, so students understand how the pieces of a project fit together;

• Partner with teachers to develop innovative, technology-supported ways for students to synthesize their learning into a final product, such as an original student-made solution, rather than a report-back of content learned;

• Serve as a school-wide leader and thought partner for the PBL/IDEA Lab vision, building the trust and rapport that make cross-classroom collaboration productive;

• Annually review the Technology and Tools Matrix to identify opportunities for innovation;

• Teach and co-teach PBL classes;

• Proactively learn the tools and techniques of the IDEA Lab, and teach teachers and students how to use them;

• Stay current on new and innovative technologies and tools, and advocate for their use in advancing the school's PBL program;

• Organize and care for Lab supplies, maintain the space, create PBL displays, and prepare materials in advance for classes using the Lab;

• Design and manufacture artifacts for the Operations Office using tools such as the laser cutter and 3-D printer;

• Promote high expectations, demonstrate a caring attitude, and establish an environment that supports students' social, emotional, and academic development;

• Communicate regularly with parents and caregivers about student progress through phone calls, email, conferences, newsletters, and report cards, and be available for individual meetings as needed;

• Evaluate student progress through formal and informal assessment;

• Use positive and productive techniques to support student behavior;

• Integrate the Quaker testimonies of peace, simplicity, integrity, community, and stewardship into the curriculum and interactions with the school community.

Other duties as assigned: The essential functions and duties listed above are intended to describe the general components of the position and the level of work performed by the IDEA Lab Coordinator/Technology Teacher. The job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed. The omission of functions or duties does not exclude them from this position if work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this position, as determined by the Head of School.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Experience Required

The successful candidate is a collegial and dedicated teacher who is well versed in their subject area, able to form excellent relationships with young people, is easy to collaborate with, and has:

• a minimum of 3 years of teaching experience in related age groups and subjects;

• excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills;

• the interest in and capability to work, plan, and implement problem-based learning initiatives;

• experience in using the tools and technology of innovation;

• demonstrated experience coaching or mentoring colleagues in instructional practice;

• experience helping teachers integrate data- and evidence-based inquiry into project design;

• a drive to continuously stay at the forefront of new innovations;

• outstanding ability to work autonomously while producing high level results;

• a collaborative, easy-to-work-with disposition, and the ability to give and receive feedback that improves the quality of student work;

• the ability to establish cooperative working relationships with faculty, staff, students, and parents;

• strong organizational skills;

• a comfort and excitement about working with children from diverse backgrounds;

• a commitment to achieving the vision of the School.

Educational Requirements

• BA or BS in Education, or a related field. An advanced degree is preferred.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• This position requires significant flexibility and the capacity to work in a variety of settings: office, classroom, community meeting spaces, outdoors, etc. It may require the ability to sit, stand, walk up and down up to three flights of stairs and through the campus, for the entirety of the school day and to occasionally lift up to 35 lbs.  

• The IDEA Lab/Technology Teacher encounters a wide variety of challenges and deadlines and works with a varied and diverse array of contacts. They must be able to work in an environment that can be highly stressful at times and be willing to be flexible as needed.

• Be able to pass all criminal record checks, background checks, and child abuse clearances.

Employment Type

• Exempt  | Full-time, 10 month, 3 weeks 

Hours

• On campus hours between 7:45 and 3:30 on all school days (until 4:30 on Tuesdays)

Wage Range and Benefits

• Salary is commensurate with experience, with benefits to include: paid parental leave; tuition remission and free after care for children who attend FFS (Frankford Campus); health care; professional development; 5% match on retirement contributions; and 10 days PTO. 

How to Apply:

● Complete the online job application APPLY

● Submit a resume, cover letter, and references to hiring@frankfordfriends.org

This description is subject to change by Frankford Friends School as the needs and requirements of the position change.

FFS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or gender. In addition to federal law requirements, FFS complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.