Creative Lab/Maker Space Teacher (Grades 1-12) (2024 - 2025 SY)

The Lang School seeks creative, passionate, and dedicated teachers and specialists to support our twice-exceptional (2e) students — gifted students with learning differences — across a variety of grades, subjects, and clinical support areas. We offer our highly promising learners in grades 1-12 a rigorous, learner-centered, empirically validated education with integrated supports that foster independence and self-advocacy.

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We are excited to announce an immediate opening for a Creative Lab/Maker Space Teacher to join our team on a full-time basis. This is an exceptional opportunity for a confident, creative educator passionate about hands-on learning and fostering innovation in students across grades 1-12.

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The Creative Lab/Maker Space Teacher at The Lang School will guide students through an interdisciplinary curriculum that spans traditional visual arts, making, tinkering, and engineering projects. This position is designed to support a wide array of creative expressions and innovations, blending elements of studio art, design, fabrication, and engineering with a focus on fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The ideal candidate should be comfortable working with students of all ages, and have experience in design thinking, interdisciplinary project-based learning, and supporting twice-exceptional (2e) learners.

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This role subsumes what might traditionally be called an "art teacher" in other schools, but extends to encompass creative lab and maker space instruction (think woodworking, digital media arts, ceramics, 3D builds, and more). The Creative Lab/Maker Space Teacher will have the unique opportunity to support students' individual interests and develop their creative and technical skills across multiple disciplines, often in direct collaboration with content area teachers. An openness to supporting interdisciplinary projects and collaboration with other faculty is a key aspect of this role.

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Candidate Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Art Education, Fine Arts, Industrial Design, Engineering, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.

• Experience working in a creative lab, maker space, or interdisciplinary art environment, with a proven ability to teach both traditional art and maker skills.

• Strong understanding of design thinking practices and their application in an educational setting.

• Demonstrated experience supporting twice-exceptional (2e) learners or neurodiverse students, with a sensitivity to their unique social, emotional, and intellectual needs.

• Proficiency with maker space tools and materials, including but not limited to 3D printers, laser cutters, woodworking tools, electronics, and digital design software.

• Excellent classroom management skills and the ability to create a safe and supportive learning environment for a diverse student population.

• A collaborative spirit and a willingness to work closely with colleagues across disciplines to create an integrated, interdisciplinary experience for students.

• Functional knowledge of digital creation software.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in a wide variety of arts education and hands-on exploration. 

• Familiarity with a wide range of creative tools and materials, from traditional art supplies to advanced digital fabrication techniques, as well photography and video editing.

• An ability to foster meaningful cross-age mentorship by encouraging collaboration between lower, middle, and upper school students within the creative lab/maker space.

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Successful candidates:

• have an authentic connection with our school's mission and our student population of twice-exceptional learners

• have experience working in gifted and special needs learning spaces, and have deep knowledge in and passion for their area(s) of specialty

• are grounded in an understanding of progressive, inquiry-based education

• have the experience of or a desire to teach in a setting that honors the competence, independence, and promise of children so that strengths can be amplified and skills in progress are supported with transferable strategies and tools

• are creative designers of learning experience who leverage student interests, real-world problems, and professional tools to create a purposeful experience that drives student learning

• are committed to social justice and equity through action, reflection, and growth and to an examination of the intersection of their identities and the identities of their students and colleagues to support the creation of equitable learning spaces

• are tenacious and possess a “whatever it takes” attitude to support student learning that derives from adaptability, flexibility, and unwavering kindness and patience

• are excellent communicators who actively listen and ask probing questions with/of all members of the community and know how to be candid and empathic at the same time

• are community and collaboration focused, and know the importance of leveraging divergent viewpoints for the improvement of our collective work and the building of positive relationships

• are comfortable with ambiguity and not always having or knowing the answers, but are an intellectually curious, growth-focused lifelong learner who picks up new ideas quickly

Responsibilities:

• Curriculum Development & Instruction:

  • Develop and implement a curriculum that blends visual arts, making, and engineering projects for students in Grades 1-12.

  • Teach a wide range of skills, from traditional visual art techniques (drawing, painting, sculpture) to more technical skills (3D printing, sewing, electronics, woodworking, and coding).

  • Use design thinking practices to help students approach projects from a problem-solving perspective.

  • Encourage students to pursue interdisciplinary projects that integrate subjects like science, math, and humanities with their creative lab work.

• Project-Based Learning & Student Support:

  • Facilitate hands-on, project-based learning experiences that inspire curiosity and creativity while also developing students’ technical and critical thinking skills.

  • Support students as they explore their individual interests and develop meaningful projects that reflect their unique strengths and passions.

  • Provide guidance to students undertaking interdisciplinary projects and collaborations, ensuring alignment with academic and developmental goals.

  • Adapt teaching approaches to meet the diverse needs of twice-exceptional students, providing scaffolding and accommodations as necessary.

• Creative Lab/Maker Space Management:

  • Oversee the setup, maintenance, and organization of the creative lab/maker space, ensuring a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for all students grades 1 - 12.

  • Manage supplies, tools, and equipment, including traditional art materials, digital fabrication tools (e.g., 3D printers, laser cutters), and other maker tools.

  • Establish safety protocols and teach students proper tool usage, safety procedures, and lab etiquette.

• Collaboration & Professional Development:

  • Collaborate with teachers across subjects to develop interdisciplinary units and projects that integrate the creative lab/maker space curriculum.

  • Serve as a resource and guide for faculty looking to incorporate hands-on, creative, or design-thinking elements into their own curricula.

  • Engage in ongoing professional development focused on design thinking, creative lab/maker education, and supporting twice-exceptional learners.

• Student Growth & Assessment:

  • Use both formative and summative assessment tools to evaluate student growth and skill development in a holistic, individualized manner.

  • Document and celebrate student work through exhibitions, showcases, and digital portfolios, fostering a sense of pride and accomplishment in each student’s creative journey.

  • Regularly provide feedback that emphasizes growth, effort, and creative risk-taking, aligning with The Lang School’s values of fostering resilience and a growth mindset.

To Apply:

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and portfolio (if available) detailing relevant experience. Please include examples of past work with students in creative lab or maker space environments, as well as any experience working with twice-exceptional or neurodiverse learners.

To Apply:
 

We will follow up with promising candidates who align with potential openings. At Lang, we appreciate that people's professional paths aren't necessarily linear and that they can be punctuated by purposeful gaps.

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Compensation: Salaries are competitive and based on experience and training. (Salary range $60,000 - $85,000) The Lang School offers a competitive benefits package, including employer-paid health insurance, 401k matching options, and ample professional development opportunities