Lower School Design Thinking

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Lower School Design Thinking Teacher joins a caring and innovative community dedicated to building the foundation for lifelong learning. Rooted in Westminster’s mission to develop the whole person for college and for life, this role creates a joyful, engaging environment where students cultivate curiosity, creativity, confidence, and problem-solving skills.

This role advances Westminster’s vision for an innovation ecosystem where students imagine, design, and build solutions to meaningful challenges, developing the creative confidence to shape the world around them.

This position focuses on integrating design thinking principles—empathy, ideation, prototyping, and iteration—into age-appropriate learning experiences. The teacher empowers students to think critically, collaborate effectively, and approach challenges with creativity and resilience.

The Design Thinking Teacher partners closely with three other Design Thinking Teachers as well as grade-level teams and specialists to support interdisciplinary learning and enhance innovation across the Lower School curriculum.

Supervisor: Head of Lower School

Supervisory Responsibilities:  None

Position Status:  Salaried, exempt, full-time, 10-month

Hours of Work: Typical hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Some weekend and evening work may be required. 
 

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

The requirements below outline the knowledge, skills, and abilities expected of a successful candidate.

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Design, Engineering, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred
• Experience working with elementary-aged students
• Demonstrated understanding of design thinking, maker education, or project-based learning, and Constructivist theory, as well as Reggio
• Knowledge of child development and best practices in elementary education
• Strong communication, collaboration, and organizational skills
• Ability to create an engaging, student-centered learning environment
• Commitment to innovation, creativity, and continuous improvement

 Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a maker space, STEM lab, or innovation program
• Familiarity with tools such as fabrication equipment, coding platforms, and design software
• Experience integrating interdisciplinary curriculum and experiential learning

Additionally, successful candidates will:

• Demonstrate a love of working with Lower School students
• Create and promote an inclusive learning environment with enthusiasm, flexibility, and a cooperative spirit

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Instruction & Curriculum:

• Designs and delivers a dynamic, hands-on curriculum grounded in design thinking methodologies
• Facilitates project-based learning experiences that promote creativity, innovation, and real-world problem solving
• Guides students through the design process: empathy, ideation, prototyping, testing, and reflection
• Integrates design thinking across disciplines in collaboration with homeroom teachers and specialists
• Utilizes technology, materials, and maker-centered resources to enhance learning
• Differentiates instruction to support diverse learners and learning styles

Student Development & Support:

• Fosters an inclusive and engaging learning environment where all students feel valued
• Encourages curiosity, independence, and a growth mindset
• Supports social-emotional development through collaborative and reflective practices
• Provides timely, constructive feedback to support student growth
• Ensures student safety, including supervising recess, lunch, transitions between classrooms, and carpool duty
• Provides feedback on and evaluation of students during the admission process

Collaboration & Professional Growth:

• Partners with faculty to embed design thinking into core academic areas
• Participates in the Innovation Committee and ongoing curriculum development
• Engages in continuous professional growth, particularly in innovation, creativity, and instructional best practices
• Contributes to the evolution of Westminster’s design thinking and innovation programming

Community Engagement:

• Assumes the leadership role in planning the annual Innovation Fair
• Builds strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues
• Communicates effectively with families regarding student progress and experiences
• Contributes to the broader Lower School community through events, initiatives, and extracurricular involvement
• Models Westminster’s values of inclusivity, service, and excellence

And perform other duties as assigned. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, and feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl; talk and hear; engage in moderately strenuous physical activity both indoors and out; and smell. The employee may occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The ability to become certified in CPR, AED, and First Aid is required.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions and frequently walks on slippery or uneven surfaces.  The noise level in the work environment is often loud.

Westminster is a drug-free, smoke/vape-free campus.

 

TRAVEL

Travel is primarily local during the regular business day.  Overnight and out-of-area travel may also be required and is associated mainly with planned events, conferences, and professional development opportunities.

Driving a Westminster vehicle may be required for this position.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Westminster is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment.  It is Westminster’s policy to provide equal employment opportunities and administer terms and conditions of employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran under applicable federal, state, and local laws.  EOE/M/F/D/V.