Director of Idea & Design Lab

To Apply
Submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references by email to Chelsey Carr, Director of Curriculum & Faculty Development, at DirectorIDLab@peckschool.org. Reference the job title in the subject line of your email. No phone calls, please.

About the Position
The Peck School, a coed K-8 independent school in Morristown, NJ, seeks a Director of the Idea & Design Lab for the upcoming school year. This position is an excellent opportunity for an innovative and highly motivated educator‑leader to join a wonderful community that prizes lifelong learning. The Osborn Idea & Design Lab is more than a classroom; it is the creative heartbeat of Pecks Upper School, where curiosity, innovation, engineering, and emerging technologies come together to solve authentic problems. We are seeking an educational innovator who envisions the Lab as a dynamic hub of exploration and invention, a place where students cannot wait to create, and teachers actively seek opportunities to bring their classes. The Director fosters a culture in which imagination is matched with purposeful design and extends their influence across the Upper School (grades 5‑8).

The Director will teach and foster creativity and innovation, knowledge and understanding of the design process, and provide hands‑on learning experiences for students using technology. The Director will work closely with teachers and the technology team to ensure technology is seamlessly integrated into the curriculum and support strategic planning for the technology curriculum and training.

Overview of Responsibilities

Educational Technology & AI Leadership:

Serve as one of the Upper School's educational technology leaders, helping shape how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, enhance teaching and learning. Partner with faculty to identify meaningful opportunities for AI integration, lead professional learning, evaluate new tools thoughtfully, and help ensure students develop the knowledge, habits, and ethical understanding needed to use these technologies responsibly and effectively.

Faculty Support & Curricular Development:

Act as the Upper School Tech Integration Specialist, meeting regularly with grade‑level teams (5‑8) to discuss current and upcoming units of study, support student understanding by making curricular connections, and share best practices for technology integration.

Professional Development:

Design and facilitate engaging professional learning that empowers faculty to thoughtfully integrate technology and AI into their teaching.

Ethical Use of Technology:

Promote the school's mission statement and core values through responsible and ethical use of technology; model and teach digital citizenship skills.

Classroom Instruction:

Teach technology and design classes in grades 5‑8, instructing students on skills and techniques related to design, engineering, coding, electronics, and maker activities.

Student Engagement:

Encourage students to pursue their own project‑based learning projects, support independent learning journeys, lead the robotics team, and mentor 8th‑grade students with technology‑related capstone projects.

Manage the Osborn Idea & Design Lab:

Foster an innovative learning space that emphasizes design thinking.

Resource Management:

Manage and maintain the ID Lab, ensure it is well‑organized and equipped, oversee inventory and procurement of supplies and equipment.

Safety and Maintenance:

Enforce safety guidelines, coordinate equipment maintenance and repairs.

Qualifications/Experience

Hold a Bachelor's degree.

Previous experience inspiring middle school students and developing impactful curriculum.

Strong understanding of computational thinking routines and block‑ and text‑based coding, engineering and design principles, and making.

Proficient in Google Workspace and web‑based software.

Proclivity towards making/fabrication.

Demonstrated engagement in professional development in this field.

Understanding of 3D printers, laser cutters, sewing/embroidery machines, soldering, electronics, Micro:Bits/Arduino/Raspberry Pi, AR/VR, machine learning/AI.

Competencies

Classroom Management:

Encourage positive student behavior and a strong classroom community.

Communication Skills:

Use excellent oral and written communication to maintain open communication with peers, administrators, faculty, students, and parents.

Collaboration Skills:

Consistent, positive collaboration with faculty and administrators, excellent time management.

Community Engagement:

Engage in supportive faculty culture and community events.

Cultural Awareness:

Demonstrate ability to understand and interact with people from other cultures or belief systems.

A Peck Teacher
A Peck Teacher is passionate, professional, and demonstrates excellence. They plan and deliver engaging lessons, build relationships, foster a safe inclusive environment, and communicate effectively with the school community and families.

Working at Peck
The Peck School creates a culture of belonging and values diverse backgrounds. Qualified applicants are offered competitive salary ($65,000–$110,000) and comprehensive benefits: group health, dental, vision, health savings, flexible spending, 403(b) retirement, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.

To learn more about The Peck School and working at Peck, please visit the school's website.

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