STEM Director
Westminster Christian Academy is currently seeking a STEM Director for the 2018-19 school year. We seek individuals who are driven by excellence, care deeply about their students, and are willing to develop healthy, nurturing relationships in and outside the classroom. If you believe Westminster might be the place for you, we want to hear from you!
Founded in 1976 as an independent, coeducational school, Westminster Christian Academy provides a comprehensive college preparatory program for 975 students in grades 7 through 12. The school is located in suburban St. Louis County, Missouri, on a 70-acre campus, 20 minutes from downtown St. Louis.
Westminster Christian Academy honors Jesus Christ by providing an excellent education, rooted in biblical truth as interpreted by the Westminster Confession of Faith, for the children of Christian parents. Faculty and staff enable students to discover and embrace a biblical view of the world and integrate that view into every area of life.
The STEM Director will teach 2 or 3 classes, oversee the Upper and Middle School STEM programs, serve as the Project Lead The Way (PTLW) coordinator, and oversee the Robotics program.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in science or math required; Master’s degree in science or math preferred
- Teaching experience required, preferably in science or math
- Demonstrated track record of developing a vision and leading an innovative program
- Training in Project Lead The Way classes preferred
- Experience in First Robotic preferred
Oversee the Upper School STEM program:
- Represent the STEM program within the school and to other Christian schools and organizations, and to the public at large
- Assist with the oversight and guidance of students working on individual research projects, specifically in interfacing with the STARS program
- Seek out and publish opportunities for students to experience and participate in special research opportunities, workshops, lectures, and science camps
- Coordinate with the Science Department chair to submit and manage the budget and procure the necessary program equipment
- Plan the STEM Symposium and STEM Seminars
- Develop the STEM program application forms, oversee enrollment, and ensure that students seeking a STEM major/minor meet the qualifications.
- Maintain records for students pursuing STEM degree
Serve as Project Lead The Way (PLTW) and Middle School STEM Coordinator:
- Communicate with state PLTW directors, and oversee enrollment and grade posting with the state directors
- Schedule training for new PLTW teachers and ensure that the program is in compliance with PLTW standards
- Develop equipment list for the PLTW and MS STEM classes and submit to Science Department Chair upon request.
- Oversee a safety program that includes teacher training, equipment inspection, and appropriate documentation
Oversee the Robotics program:
- Provide a challenging and nurturing First Robotics experience for all interested students that will enable them to identify their passions and make valuable contributions to the success of the team
- Identify student leadership, plan team structure, and provide leadership training
- Oversee team member recruitment, training, and registration
- Oversee a safety program that includes team member training, equipment inspection, and appropriate documentation
- Establish the season schedule by planning orientations, training sessions, and kickoff events, and selecting off-season and regional competition participation
- Recruit, train, and oversee parent volunteers (including background checks) and fellow teachers to assist with First Robotics supervision and management
- Interface with the First Robotics organization to complete all applications, registrations, fees, etc.
- Develop a work and supervision schedule for during the build season
- Provide financial oversight for the program; prepare and submit a financial plan, approve budgets, maintain existing sponsor relationships, secure new sponsorship, pursue matching gifts and grant opportunities, and coordinate with the Head of Finance & Operations to manage expenditures
- Coordinate sponsorships and fundraising with the Advancement team
- Work with the volunteer engineers providing the teaching, guidance, and expertise for the construction of the robots
- Develop, oversee, and facilitate student sub-teams to focus on specific areas, such as fund-raising, communications, safety, and community outreach
- Oversee the planning and travel for First Robotics competitions and public outreach events.
- Communicate with parents and the school administration about all schedules for day-to-day prep work, First Robotics competition, and other special events.
- Coordinate with Facilities to acquire and maintain the work areas, practice areas, and storage areas required for robotics activities
- Provide good stewardship of the team inventory of tools and materials