Friends' Central School Overview

Friends' Central School is an independent, coeducational Quaker day school founded in 1845 and serving approximately 819 students in Nursery through grade 12. Located in the Philadelphia suburbs, the School has two campuses. The Middle & Upper Schools are located just outside of West Philadelphia in Wynnewood, and the Lower School is on our Old Gulph Road campus in the heart of Wynnewood.

The exceptional faculty at Friends' Central offers a curriculum that cultivates the intellectual, spiritual, and ethical growth of our students. Our pedagogy is grounded in continuing revelation, reflection, integrity, and a willingness to accept responsibility. From Nursery to grade 12, our students participate in a process designed to foster creative, critical, and flexible thinking, along with compassion. As they transform from playful children to skilled, self-possessed teenagers, they are always intellectually curious and engaged thinkers. Friends' Central prepares graduates to succeed in college and in life.

Friends' Central Schools Center for Innovation and Design (CID) comprises 6,800 square feet of space for design and prototyping, fabrication, technology, and robotics. Phase I of this ambitious project was completed in the summer of 2022 by renovating the School's 1920s Rex Gymnasium. With the design process currently underway, Phase II is planned for completion in 2024; it will complete the School's vision for a state-of-the-art building to support creativity, innovation, design, engineering, and entrepreneurship through the curriculum and individual projects.

Middle and Upper School Innovation & Design Teacher

Friends' Central seeks an Innovation & Design teacher to be part of the CID team beginning in July 2023. This position reports to the Middle and Upper School principals and partners closely with Middle & Upper School faculty and students. The teacher will be highly collaborative and innovative, with experience, understanding, and enthusiasm for STEAM education. This person will also assist with the supervision and day-to-day operations of the space in collaboration with others on the team.

Teaching and Curriculum Development

• Teach at least one class, such as Middle School computer science or design rotation

• Provide individual and class instruction on how to use the various tools in the space, including crafting tools, electronic tools, specialty materials, woodworking tools, and textiles

• Work with faculty to develop curriculum and projects that utilize the CID

• Expand the expertise of our team

Supporting Classes and Individual Projects

• Guide students and faculty through every step of the design and fabrication process

• Support project-based integrations initiated by faculty and students

• Collaborate with students to develop independent projects

• Expand areas of expertise in partnership with faculty and students

CID Inventory & Management

• Maintain an organized and clean space for design, prototyping, and fabrication

• Manage the inventory and ordering of supplies and consumable materials for the CID

• Maintain various fabrication machines

• Assist with the management of the calendar and scheduling for groups visiting the CID

• Provide supervision and support safety procedures for the CID

Community Programming and Outreach

• Give tours of the CID for prospective and current families

• Support student-led community service projects, student clubs, and find ways to have the CID serve as a resource for the broader community

Qualifications

• BA/BS in a STEAM discipline

• Minimum of 3 years of teaching in a STEAM discipline

• Eagerness to design, tinker, and work on a wide range of projects

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for working with all constituencies

• Experience with:

  • Woodworking

  • 2D and 3D CAD

  • Laser cutting

  • 3D printing

  • CNC Milling

  • Circuitry

  • Using traditional shop tools

• Experience working with students (grades 6-12) in or outside of a traditional academic context/classroom

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to verbally communicate. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, and climbing all day. The employee must frequently lift and/or move objects up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 40 pounds.

To apply, please visit the Employment Opportunities page of our website for our online application. The application will ask for a resume, cover letter and three professional references. All applications should be completed by February 27, 2023.

Currently, Friends' Central requires COVID-19 vaccines for all faculty, staff, and students. There are limited exemptions for medical or religious reasons.

Friends' Central School seeks candidates with a commitment to fostering an inclusive learning community who will address issues of diversity, as well as enhance the Philosophy of Inclusivity and Awareness articulated in our Diversity Statement.

About Friends' Central School

Friends’ Central School is an independent, coeducational, college-preparatory, Quaker day school, founded in 1845, serving 800 students in Nursery through grade 12. Located on two campuses in Wynnewood, Pa., Friends’ Central blends a rigorous curriculum with enduring Quaker principles of kindness, compassion, and generosity of spirit to create a solid foundation for a future of opportunity and success. Students at Friends’ Central School are taught to think critically and creatively, and they learn the value of good character and strong work ethic to develop into active and engaged citizens. Friends’ Central seeks candidates who will enhance the philosophy of inclusivity and awareness articulated in our Diversity Statement.

Connections working at Friends' Central School