Research & Design Team Member
Summary
Educator role in Beaver Country Day School's Research + Design Center (Chestnut Hill, MA, near Boston): partnering with grades 6-12 teachers to co-design lessons using research, design, edtech, computational thinking and AI, coaching student projects, and maintaining the maker space (3D printers, laser cutters, electronics).
Reports to: Director of R+D Center
Classification: Exempt, Full-time
About the School:
Beaver Country Day School is an independent day school serving 460 students in grades 6-12, and located in Chestnut Hill, just outside of Boston. Founded in 1920 and propelled by our progressive roots, our goal is to expand the nature of school. With over 40 local and national partnerships, almost daily field trips, a thriving performing and visual arts program, and a best-in-class research and design center, we are able to combine rigorous academics with real-world application, focusing on teaching content combined with experience applying it to current issues. Our athletic program offers first-rate athletic and fitness opportunities that prioritize the whole athlete. The school fosters a joyful environment where students feel confident taking risks and being their authentic selves, where everyone—students and adults alike—feels a sense of belonging, and where teachers have the freedom to innovate and grow alongside their students.
About the Position:
Research + Design at Beaver means many things: it’s a mindset, a physical space full of resources, and a collaborative approach to learning that permeates the entire campus. R+D Team members are educators with a mindset grounded in curiosity, collaboration, experimentation, and continuous upskilling. We are excited by emerging tools, creative problem-solving, and projects that connect technical skills with authentic student learning experiences. We work closely with classroom teachers and students to identify opportunities where the research and design processes can engage, enhance, and extend the learning goals.
Key Functions and Responsibilities:
- Partner with MS/US classroom teachers to co-design and/or co-teach learning experiences that leverage research, design, edtech, computational thinking, and/or artificial intelligence
- Coach MS/US students on individual school and/or personal projects (Student-Directed Projects), as well as student team efforts (BeaverAUV, TEDx, DECA, etc)
- Attend department meetings or 1:1 idea development sessions with colleagues to identify opportunities and resources
- Participate in internal R+D team upskilling professional development to teach and learn from one another
- Build new competencies that create meaningful ripple effects in their own pedagogy—strengthening classroom practice, expanding project-based learning opportunities, and helping students engage with more authentic, interdisciplinary work
- Actively collaborate with both MS/US students and teachers on R+D projects, programs, and initiatives
- Organize R+D space and materials, maintaining equipment and resources
- Daily presence in the R+D Center to engage in informal conversations about resources, idea development, prototyping, and/or feedback with MS/US students and teachers
- Attend weekly R+D Team meetings, supporting professional learning, skill development and team upskilling
Desired Skillset:
- Unique research, design, edtech, computational thinking and/or AI expertise and depth such as:
- Research techniques that leverage a range of credible primary and secondary sources, both printed and online
- 2D modeling for 3D fabrication, including work with 3D printers and laser cutters
- 3D fabrication (3D printers and laser cutters as well as workshop hand and power tools)
- Circuits, robotics, and electronics
- Media production, including audio and video creation, editing and post-production
- Digital design tools such as Canva and Adobe Creative Suite
- Visual arts and design, including illustration, graphic design, printmaking, and visual storytelling
- Edtech tools
- Computational thinking, computer science, and AI:
- Programming and coding (from introductory skills to advanced technical knowledge)
- Data collection, survey design, analysis, and visualization
- AI as both a subject area and a tool for building models
Other Attributes:
- An understanding of independent schools and enthusiasm for Beaver’s mission
- Commitment to professional growth and continuous improvement
- Experience with diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging practices and commitment to ongoing growth in this area
- Sense of humor
