Have you always wanted to build and replicate all the best science experiments you've ever seen or done - and get paid to do it? Rocket launches, dissections, egg drops, bridge builds, chemical reactions, microscopes, CO2 Cars, Tesla coils, potato batteries - what else can you add?

We are looking for an innovative 4th-8th grade educator with a passion for organizing and building hands-on experiments. And for our students, that means building the curriculum around big, interesting hands-on STEM experiments. Think of it like a fusion of shop class and science class.

Do you have the drive to create the best possible elementary experience for accelerated learners? What would you do if you could break all the rules?

You get a $1000 per student per month enrichment budget to be used for experiment builds, field trips, visiting experts, etc.

“What is going to really resonate with these kids? What's going to take them to the next level?” When you get that “a-ha!”, you'll have the resources and flexibility to just do it. Your passion and creativity are your only limits.

Our school's mission is to teach the students to be self-directed, self-sufficient learners. To help them discover their passions, and to teach them that anything they want to do or achieve, they can teach to themselves. Your goal is to to create, curate, and teach a custom curriculum individualized to each student's passions, interests, and aptitude.

So, here's the deal: the students are our kids - two boys, 10 and 12. So, it's kind of like a home school in that there's a *lot* of flexibility and a very small class size. But, there's also a separate 5,000 sqft school on an acre of land (that's not our house).

We have a full ceramics studio, 3-D printers, robotics labs, a rock climbing wall, green screen, a commercial grade kitchen - lots of cool stuff. You'll have a teaching assistant and a cleaning crew.

We've been doing this for about 5 years now. So, the boys are already pretty self-sufficient learners. For example, every morning during the summer they wake up and complete three math lessons (about an hour) from their curriculum. When they don't know how to do it, they watch videos and keep trying until they overcome it. They know how to overcome frustration and really enjoy a challenge.

Sidenote: we're not religious. So, it's also like a secular private middle school with no bureaucracy and no limits on what you can achieve. You'll also have access to great employment benefits and financial stability underwritten by the 17 year old software company that we own.

Focus: Our boys are both high aptitude enthusiastic learners 2-6 grade levels ahead in all subjects. STEM and problem solving are their broad areas of passion, so it's important to us that you are also passionate and have expertise in those areas. We'd like to maintain an accelerated baseline pace while adapting the curriculum to their interests, so the learning is a natural pursuit.

Advantages:

• Flexible, family-friendly schedule - we don't plan to start the day until 9:30AM.
• Get out of the classroom often - and with class sizes this small, field trips are easy. Did I mention there's $2000/mo budget?
• Virtually unlimited budget for teaching tools and classroom supplies.
• Small class of really well-behaved children - if we do say so ourselves. But seriously, they're model students.
• Experiment and be creative. Staying one step ahead of these guys is a fun challenge.

Benefits:

• Extremely competitive salary ($55k - $80k/yr DOE)
• 401(k) with 4% employer matching.
• We have the best possible Health and Dental benefits. Walk into the Mayo Clinic like you own the place.
• Choose your own title. Weird benefit, right? But, you're just as much a Principal of this school as you are the teacher. If it helps your career, we're happy to help. Or if you just always wanted your official title to be “Lord Commander of DragonClaw Academy”...

Required:

• Bachelor's degree
• Passion for STEM subjects
• Exceptional problem-solving skills
• Willingness and ability to source, build / supervise “big” hands-on experiments
• An entrepreneurial willingness to “make-things-happen” and “get things done”.
• Computer and Internet fluency
• A driving record without a lot of recent accidents
• Willingness to organize events, extracurricular and after-school activities, etc.

Even Better:

• STEM background, B.S. or M.S. or experience.
• Experience adapting or selecting curricula.
• Construction, Wood or Metal working experience
• Special talents - Foreign Language, Theater, Debate, Performing Arts, Sports

SpyFu is an Equal Opportunity employer. We're LGBTQ+ and specifically trans-friendly/competent. We value diversity, inclusiveness, and empowerment. This isn't corporate speak - this is who we are as people. We do everything we can to create a safe and respectful workplace, and we'll always have your back.