Job Description

Job Title Middle School Makerspace

Description

Charter School Makerspace Coordinator

The MakerSpace Coordinator will be responsible for working with two Schools in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain to maintain the learning environment for innovative hands-on projects within the school studios/labs/makerspaces at the Cycle 2 level (Grades 6-8). In Phase I, the MakerSpace Coordinator will help faculty to develop sets of interesting STEM projects, and inquiry-based learning experiences for mathematics and science. The MakerSpace Coordinator will also work with the Curriculum Coordinator and and program leadership to support a model of self-paced learning, where students achieve levels of proficiency that are not bounded by grade level. In Phase II, the MakerSpace Coordinator will be developing the Curriculum Coordinator will develop a model for delivering phenomenon- and challenge-based learning opportunities in studio / makerspace / fab lab environments that build professional practices and transferable 21st century skills. The MakerSpace Coordinator will be responsible for the orderly management of design studios, labs and work spaces, including the purchase and maintenance of equipment and supplies, safety and procedures, scheduling and all organization of team and individual projects. The MakerSpace Coordinator will work with staff to ensure that the environment is literacy-rich, and includes I-Charts and other scaffolds that help students with literacy and learning difficulties. The Coordinator will help teachers use data and evidence to challenge their students to exercise effective voice and choice in driving their own learning.

Responsibilities
1. Coordinate and manage the day-to-day operations of Alefs makerspaces and studios located in two schools, providing support to two school-based facilitators; coordinate projects; provide support for staff to meet departmental goals and objectives; provide guidance within the area of responsibility and recommend training. 20%
2. Responsible for ensuring all equipment, including 2D/3D printers, laser cutters, and computer numerical control (CNC) machinery are adequately maintained, efficiently utilized, operational, and being operated safely and by fully qualified users; assist in troubleshooting equipment issues and making sure equipment is securely housed; enforce compliance of regulatory lab requirements.
3. Act as liaison and serve as expert for the makerspace, lab, studio; coordinate and monitor incoming requests for studio space and scheduling; ensure that requests and projects comply with lab requirements and are properly resourced and planned for intended results; ensure student projects are assigned to appropriate teachers, teacher teams and outside mentors in accordance with established lab rules.
4. Develop and maintain an inventory of equipment; develop application and instructional manuals; maintain an on-going relationship with manufactures representatives and technical staff of makerspace labs to network and keep abreast of trends to improve capabilities and keep Alef Schools at the cutting edge on technology, including 2D/3D equipment and Computer Aided Design (CAD) software.
5. Supervise the ordering and receiving of supplies, verify that the lab has sufficient inventory to complete incoming project work order requests based on previous demand history job notifications, and other expected workload variations.
6. Work and build relationships with students, faculty, and staff; support development and operation of programs which serve Alef Schools, its ADEK partner, its communities, and public audiences; assist and guide the teaching staff with makerspace information, specifications and incorporating it in curriculum; relay makerspace information to students at the request of faculty.
7. Prepare monthly reports of production activities, costs, and associated activities; develop and manage the budget for the lab; participate in short and long-term departmental goals and objectives; research issues related to policy development and recommend new or revised departmental policies and procedures.
8. Supervise and manage personnel to include a recommendation for employment, scheduling, orientation, performance evaluation, guidance, and support concerning professional development; provide mentoring and training.

Educational Qualification

• Bachelor's degree in related field; advanced degree preferred
• Certifications in various Educational Softwares, Learning Content Management Systems (LCMS) or other eLearning Tools an advantage

Experience

• Varied professional experience, both in classroom settings and outside of schools; Former entrepreneurs encouraged, having demonstrated ability to independently develop professional connections and skills
• Knowledge and experience with physical programming, robotics, coding, and wearable technology, as well as STEM/STEAM projects, science investigations (NGSS), and design (architecture, infographics)
• Knowledge and proven record of enforcing student safety and positive environment
• Genuine excitement for and ability to work with students, faculty, staff, and parents
• Ability to communicate effectively in both Arabic and English
• Experience working on interdisciplinary projects, with target school-age population, a plus
• Experience with community service learning, citizen science, action civics projects highly desirable
• Experience in project management - translating educational needs into well-defined actionable programs and projects of required scope, schedule, and budget.

Essential Skills

• Ability to work with science and engineering equipment in a laboratory setting.
• Ability to maintain and repair equipment and tools used
• Familiarity with multiple curriculum and standards, and curricular alignment needs; ability to relate learning to Common Core State Standards, Next Generation Science Standards,the ACTFL and CEFR frameworks; MOE standards for the Arabic Medium Subjects, etc.
• Familiarity with LCMS and online digital tools that support project-based learning
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
• Problem solving; ability to drive toward project completion, overcoming obstacles, bottlenecks and other risks as required
• Relationship Builder; ability to establish credibility, influence and trust with team members
• Creative Design; ability to see the big picture of the design process and influence continuous creativity details without losing focus on schedule and process efficiencies
• Deadline oriented; ability to articulate priorities and revise plans to meet tight deadlines
• Results oriented; ability to evaluate data, identify risks and opportunities and adjust work to refine and achieve targeted results
• Knowledge of tiered interventions, accelerated education, and remediation strategies for struggling students (academic and behavioral/social-emotional), desirable

US Curriculum Charter Middle Schools in Abu Dhabi - Charter schools are state funded schools for local Emirati children. They use the US Common Core curriculum, modified to meet the local needs. The schools are run by an independent company with western management.

These particular schools are boys-only Middle Schools, serving grades 6-8. These are formative years where young minds are expanding rapidly and its natural to test boundaries, therefore having excellent relationship building skills, a good knowledge of the culture, a flexible pedagogy and appropriate classroom management techniques are essential. We find that teachers either love or hate this age range! We are looking for those who love it.

The rewards are many. Along with an excellent teacher employment package that includes a tax free salary of 10,000 to 15,000 AED per month, and generous medical coverage, there are intangibles such as a greater understanding of local culture, deeper ties to the community and a sense of having made a real impact to the lives of these boys and their families. Note that, unlike international schools, UAE Charter schools are not suitable for dependent children of teaching staff.

You have applied correctly

A message has been sent to the employer, you are going to receive the reply soon. Good luck!

You have applied correctly

The request has been sent correctly. However, we have seen that your resume is incomplete. We highly recommend you to fill it to let the employer know you. These are the fields you have empty: