Associate Director of the Pearse Hub for Innovation

Associate Director of the Pearse Hub for Innovation

The Loomis Chaffee School seeks an associate director for the Pearse Hub for Innovation. Launched in 2018, the Pearse Hub for Innovation is a 6,000 square foot facility in the heart of the Loomis Chaffee campus. Impressive as the physical space may be, what distinguishes the Pearse Hub for Innovation (the “PHI”) is the remarkable reach of its programming. The mantra of the PHI—Make Things That Make a Difference—represents the school’s commitment to both innovation and the common good. Students and faculty engage in the PHI in multiple ways: pursuing a project on their own; leveraging the PHI facilities for project-based learning in one of Loomis Chaffee’s traditional courses; enrolling in a course offered by the Computer Science, Design Thinking, and Entrepreneurship Department; participating in the immersive “I-Tri” Innovation Trimester; or competing with our highly successful robotics team. For more information about the PHI, please visit our website: https://www.loomischaffee.org/academics/pearse-hub-for-innovation.

The ideal candidate will have a compelling combination of the following skills and experience: innate curiosity and interest in multiple disciplines, familiarity with human-centered design and design thinking, teaching high school students in one or more disciplines, an entrepreneurial spirit, experience with project-based learning, and facility with both high-tech and low-tech tools and machinery. The ability to teach—or an aptitude and willingness to learn—computer science is a plus. This is an exceptional opportunity to help lead innovation at one of the nation’s premier boarding schools.

Specific Responsibilities

· Help design and execute PHI programming.

· Work and collaborate as part of a team; collaborate across academic departments; lead and support innovation projects, both curricular and extra-curricular.

· Stay current with the latest research and developments around design thinking, innovation, entrepreneurship; participate in ongoing professional development. 

· Model a deep understanding of teenagers, adolescent development and learning, and an appreciation of this age group and the joys and challenges of teaching them.

· Help oversee the physical space in the Pearse Hub for Innovation; learn and help guide the safe usage of all PHI tools, machinery, and technology.

·  Model a deep understanding of teenagers, adolescent development and learning, and an appreciation of this age group and the joys and challenges of teaching them.

· Teach one or two courses—or its equivalent—per term; co-teach in the Innovation Trimester.

· Other duties as assigned.

Desired Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree preferred.

· Three to five years (or more) of experience in a secondary school, preferably at a boarding school or other independent school.

· Current and extensive knowledge of design thinking, project-based learning, and entrepreneurship. 

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills; outstanding interpersonal skills.

· Ability to multitask and meet deadlines; ability to work independently and as part of a team; ability to collaborate across constituencies.

· An affinity for a boarding school community and an obvious joy in working with teenagers.

To Apply

This position is a 10-month, full-time position with the potential for on-campus housing. Salary is competitive and the employment package consists of excellent benefits, including health care coverage and retirement plan. To apply, please visit the school’s employment page of its website to submit an updated resume and letter of interest. For more information about the Loomis Chaffee School, please visit this website: www.loomischaffee.org. 

The Loomis Chaffee School is an independent, coeducational boarding/day school of 750 students and 170 faculty members, located in the historic town of Windsor, Connecticut. Chartered in 1874, the school provides an academically challenging curriculum within a supportive community that affirms individual beliefs and differences. Need-based financial aid is currently awarded to 33 percent of the student body. Loomis Chaffee does not discriminate against employees on the basis of race, color, religious creed, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, or disability. This policy applies to, but is not limited to, admission, financial aid, employment, use of school facilities, and participation in school activities.