Job Description

Overview

School in the Park (SITP) is an innovative program that shifts the location of “school” from a traditional classroom setting in an inner-city school, to the resources and educational opportunities available at museums within San Diego’s Balboa Park. In these compelling learning environments with challenging, hands-on projects, students become active participants in their own education. One elementary school and one middle school from San Diego’s urban core spend up to eight weeks in Balboa Park, where they participate in weeklong education programs at nine institutions. In essence, the students spend almost twenty-five percent of their school year learning in this hands-on, real world setting. For more information about SITP, see website http://schoolinthepark.net.

Lead Educator Position

The Lead Educator for School in the Park works both independently and in partnership with other SITP staff, museum educators, and classroom teachers to meet program objectives. The ideal candidate must; be a creative problem-solver, be able to manage multiple demands and tasks, be able to articulate expectations while supporting diverse approaches to student learning, and have highly developed interpersonal skills. The primary responsibility of the Lead Educator is to work with SITP museum educators to facilitate the development of curriculum that takes advantage of the rich resources of the museums and is responsive to the CCSS and NGSS. Additionally, the Lead Educator works with museum educators to design effective assessment instruments and with classroom teachers to promote effective curricular bridging between museum and school site learning environments. Secondarily, the Lead Educator supports the daily operations of SITP. The Lead Educator reports directly to the SITP Director.

Job Requirements

Specific Duties

Curriculum Development (40%)

  • Collaborate with Museum Educators, SITP Staff, and classroom teachers to develop, refine, and revise curriculum and assessment as needed.
  • Assist in developing and refining curriculum aligned to Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), blending formal education with informal museum-based education.
  • Assist in development of materials to enhance the bridging of museum and classroom curriculum.
  • Collaborate with SITP educational technologist to use current and emerging technologies for learning.
  • Collaborate with Museum Educators to develop assessment instruments, analyze student performance, and determine possible curricular revisions based on student performance.

Daily Operations (35%)

  • Coordinate and monitor the day-to-day operations of the program including assuming responsibilities when the director is absent.
  • Serve as the liaison to Food Services Department for the coordination of lunch and snacks.
  • Provide supervision as needed including during lunch, dismissal, and classroom time.
  • Assist with student discipline, student/staff health and safety, and first aid as needed.
  • Monitor instruction and student work.
  • Facilitate in developing or reviewing and implementing program operating policies and procedures.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Program Oversight (25%)

  • Collaborate with SITP team in short and long term program planning, development, and implantation.
  • Provide data for reports.
  • Collaborate with SITP staff to plan and deliver SITP professional development for museum educators and/or classroom teachers.
  • Assist in interpreting program needs.  Collect and compile material for review and analysis; evaluate, document, and recommend proper course of action.

Qualifications and Special Skills

  • Significant knowledge and understanding of pedagogy, state education standards, and learning theory
  • Ability to work individually and with a team
  • Ability to plan, organize, and follow schedule of activities
  • Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and priorities
  • Highly motivated self-starter, with high energy level and strong interpersonal skills
  • Ability to apply independent judgment, discretion, and initiative to address problems and develop solutions
  • Competence with Microsoft Office and Google docs.
  • Ability to work in an open office environment.  Job involves some office work and some outdoor work, including walking from museum to museum.

Experience and Education

  • Six years of experience, including two years in a position of high responsibility facilitating the development and implementation of museum and/or other authentic, place-based curriculum
  • Experience planning and delivering professional development for educators
  • Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree preferred
  • California Teaching Credential or comparable (with willingness to obtain California Teaching Credential)

APPLY FOR THIS JOB

Email Address: admin@schoolinthepark.org