Recruit
Summer I-Track / Makerspace Educator
Position overview
Application Window
Open date: March 6, 2025
Next review date: Sunday, Apr 6, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Sunday, Apr 6, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date.
Position description
Summer Program Dates: June 23rd - July 11th
Description
Geffen Academy educators approach teaching as an intellectual profession of the highest order, one in which knowledge is not only transmitted but is created. Geffen Academy educators possess a sophisticated and reflective understanding of their discipline and a record of achievement. This achievement demonstrates their ability to utilize and to contribute to the robust connections we have with UCLA, a world-class research institution. Educators’ innovation is guided by our school’s mission to prioritize proven educational practices while also recognizing that teaching is a complex endeavor that defies rigid codification. We are committed to a humane working environment and we also recognize that teaching goes beyond the life of the mind. Geffen Academy educators seek to create trusting and caring relationships with their students and with their larger community.
Summary
I-Track is an essential academic pillar at Geffen Academy. The department encapsulates design thinking as a framework for future innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders. In this 3-week course, students use Geffen Academy’s Makerspace to solve real-world problems, often building solutions with their own hands. Students will create prototypes using a variety of tools, including textiles, hand tools, and modeling. This course will be self-guided, with supervision and instruction, with student safety at the core of each assignment.
Under the direction of the Summer Program Director at Geffen Academy at UCLA, the Summer I-Track/Makerspace Educator will create this course of study, prepare materials, and deliver an excellent summer I-Track enrichment course for Geffen Academy’s Summer Program students. The Educator will teach three courses in the Makerspace: One for rising 5th grade students, one for rising 6th grade students, and one for students entering grades 7 - 12. The classes range from 45 - 90 minutes long and take place every day over the 3 week period. The courses are taught in -person on Geffen Academy’s Campus.
Job Duties
• Consistent with the I-Track department’s goals, participate in the design and development of curricula that develops a creative and innovative mindset and joy.
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of makerspace, design-thinking, communications and project-based learning.
• Counsel Geffen Academy's Makerspace users regarding best practices, ensuring compliance with safety, rules, and policy guidelines.
• Provide multi-format equipment and user instructions to students.
• Create a learning environment where students feel safe, welcome, and challenged.
• Be available to students and parents for department related issues
• This list of duties is not exhaustive.
Qualifications
• Must have a Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred) in a related field and a strong background in secondary education with a clear understanding and embrace of the Geffen Academy’s mission, vision and values.
• Programming experience with creative coding environments, such as Processing, Openframeworks, Scratch, TouchDesigner, or equivalent.
• Experience with digital design tools such as Blender, Gimp, Inkscape, Adobe Creative Suite or equivalent.
• Should have familiarity with educational management systems including Blackbaud, Google Classroom, and Zoom.
• Unquestionable personal integrity, excellent judgment, sound instincts, diplomacy and patience, and strong work ethic.
• Strong background in ages 10-17 education, including creating and producing high quality curriculum and educational programming, with a clear understanding and embrace of the school’s mission, vision, and values.
• The ability to think and act strategically combined with a strong commitment to providing an excellent and accessible educational experience for each student.
• Must be self-directed and able to effectively prioritize and handle multiple tasks subject to frequent interruption.
• Must be capable of developing and sustaining close, effective working relationships with other staff and educators, including on matters of interdisciplinary and institutional concern.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communications skills to articulate and explain complex issues to the Geffen Academy senior staff, families, and students.
• Exceptional listening skills and sensitivity to the needs of others.
• Collegially inclined with peers; a willing communicator and collaborator; enthusiastic team player.
• Comfortable working within a fast-paced summer program environment
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter
Statement of Research (Optional)
Statement of Teaching (Optional)
Statement on Contributions to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - An EDI Statement describes a faculty candidate’s past, present, and future (planned) contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion. To learn more about how UCLA thinks about contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion, please review our EDI Statement FAQ document, and Sample EDI Statements.
Reference check authorization release form - Complete and upload the reference check authorization release form
Misc / Additional (Optional)
- 3-5 required (contact information only)
References will be checked before an offer is made.
Help contact: hr@geffenacademy.ucla.edu
About UCLA
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.
For the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy, please visit https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-035.pdf.
For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.
- “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
- APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment