LS STEM Faculty

2026-27

Charles Wright Academy

Lower School STEM Specialist

Start Date: August 24, 2026

Position:  Lower School STEM Specialist (K-4), Technology Specials Grades 3-4

Reports to:  Lower School Director 

Supervises:  N/A

Additional Terms: Exempt, 10 month, .8 - Full Time 

Charles Wright Academy (CWA) is a co-educational, non-religious, independent school located in University Place, WA. Charles Wright Academy is located on a beautiful, green, and sprawling 107-acre campus that includes athletic fields and more than 60 acres of gorgeous Pacific Northwest forests that also serve as an extension of our proper academic campus. Our educational philosophy of experiential learning includes unique daily opportunities for wilderness exploration, hiking, birding, wildlife observations, gardening, nature habitat sketch subjects for art studies, local biological science exploration, conservation work, farming, and more.

The only completely co-educational, independent, and non-religious school serving students in preschool through grade 12 in the South Sound area, CWA provides a challenging and nurturing environment with college preparatory academics and robust programming that prepare students to thrive and successfully launch into college and beyond. A wide array of experiential education, artistic, athletic, travel, and service opportunities promote students’ social-emotional development and provide students avenues to discover and pursue their passions. A culture that values self-expression, appropriate autonomy, and exploration of their authentic selves, students are nurtured, encouraged, mentored, and supported by a highly-qualified and experienced faculty that share collective institutional values and provide engaging, active, and joyful experiences for students each and every day.

Charles Wright Mission Statement

To inspire active, joyful learning while nurturing and challenging our students to develop the character, creativity, and skills to successfully navigate the future with confidence. 

Position Description

Charles Wright Academy seeks a Lower School STEM Specialist who will foster the developmental and social-emotional development of students while providing rich and varied lessons of developmentally appropriate and engaging STEM curriculum (using CWA’s curriculum as a standard platform) as well as Technology curriculum for grades 3 and 4. Candidates will be confident in their ability to foster in students an appreciation of and ability to learn and share the Next Generation Science Standards through a variety of STEM experiences that include project based learning connections with homeroom classrooms, teaching lessons in the forest or outdoor space at least once a week, hands on experimentation, participating in the engineering cycle, and facilitating an excitement for inquiry using the scientific method. In addition, the Specialist will teach basic technology and application usage to 3rd and 4th grade.

Responsibilities:

• Implement a STEM curriculum in K-4, using the CWA’ s science curriculum as the base for teaching. Sharing this curriculum with colleagues and families through a syllabi each year.

• Implement a Technology curriculum for grades 3 and 4 teaching basic principles of usage, online safety, typing skills, coding and research.

• Assess students continuously for developmentally appropriate skills and standards for both STEM and Technology.

• Use a variety of instructional methods to create dynamic, engaging lessons, which support the developmental and social-emotional needs of diverse learners

• Impart the love of STEM and inspire students to participate fully in classroom time.

• Organize and lead a STEAM Night for the Lower School students and families in coordination with other divisions.

• Prepare several grade level family share opportunities throughout the year for families and the school community that demonstrate students’ learning in the STEM and homeroom classroom.

• Collaborate with homeroom teachers to coordinate learning experiences, aligning content and curriculum, developing PBL units for both STEM and cross-curricular areas of study, and differentiating classroom experiences for diverse student needs.

• Collaborate with the Lower School Director to plan any community connected events.

• Participate in Lower School Specialist team meetings and work as a team member to support students, families and your team.

• Collaborate with and participate in the endeavors of the STEM department, serving students and aligning curriculum and experiences in all grades PS-12

• Practice thoughtful, respectful, and effective classroom management that supports active, joyful learning and promotes pathways to student self-management.

• Attend all faculty and community meetings.

• Participate in Lower School supervision duties.

• Participate enthusiastically and fully in the life of the school community, including serving as a chaperone for overnights and experiential education field trips, taking part in admissions events along with other school events, and collaborating and communicating with families through conferences, report cards and other necessary means of communication.

• Engage in other duties as assigned by the Division Director and the Head of School

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (in STEM Education or comparable degree)

• Experience teaching STEM to elementary aged students in a school setting 

• Demonstrated effective and respectful classroom management skills

• Possess a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion and cultural competence evident in programmatic planning, content, and curriculum for a diverse music classroom

• Basic to expert level understanding of Chromebooks 

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3-5 Years teaching experience in elementary age students

• Teaching credential or graduate degree

Physical Requirements

Must be able to communicate effectively in verbal and written forms

Must be able to walk up and down stairs

Must be able to lead students in outdoor and forest spaces on a regular basis

Must be able to stand and/or sit for at least 50% of time

Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs on occasion.

Salary & Benefits

This position has a salary range between $61,800 and $94,760 annually, depending on qualifications and experience. Benefits available are subject to plan and candidate eligibility.

Insurance:  Medical, Vision, Dental; Basic Life, AD&D, and Long Term Disability; Health Care FSA; and Dependent Care FSA may be available to employees, premiums are subsidized by the school/employer, subject to the terms of the applicable benefit plan.

Retirement Plan: CWA offers an employer and employee contributed 403(b) plan, starting at 5% and up to a 7.5% employer contribution subject to the terms of the plan documents and employee eligibility.

Paid Sick Leave: Employees receive 80 hours of paid sick/wellness leave per year.

Personal Leave: Employees will receive 3 days of personal leave per year.

Other Leave: All employees are eligible for paid bereavement, jury duty, and professional development leave subject to approval and eligibility.

Other Benefits: EAP (Employee Assistance Program), Tuition Assistance for employees seeking advanced degrees, Child Tuition Remission of 50% for those choosing to enroll at CWA, 50% discount of Extended Day child care services for eligible enrolled students. Enrolled students at CWA may attend the Extended Day program until 4:00 daily at no cost.

Application Process

To apply, submit a cover letter addressing why you feel you are the right fit for this role at Charles Wright Academy and how that aligns with both our Mission and Inclusion Statements (both included in this posting). Please provide an updated resume, and email and telephone contact information for 3-5 professional references (which must include your most recent supervisor) via ADP or charleswright.org where this posting occurs. Applications for this position will be accepted until filled. No phone calls or inquiries, please.

Inclusion Statement

Charles Wright Academy best exemplifies its mission and values when everyone knows they belong in our school community.

We embrace an intentional culture that champions everyone’s full participation as their authentic selves in all of the opportunities that comprise the Charles Wright experience. This includes supporting each community member’s understanding of their own identities and acceptance of the identities of others. By doing so, we empower everyone at Charles Wright to connect, learn, grow, and achieve.

The inclusive culture we strive for requires us to make both institutional and individual commitments. Institutionally, we will align policies, curriculum, and decision-making to this goal, and we commit to ongoing self-examination, learning, and action. We also encourage and support individuals to initiate and engage in candid, courageous conversations as this work is the responsibility of every member of our community. (adopted by the CWA Board of Trustees, March 2020).