Job Description

We are looking for skilled and collaborative educators with the passion, commitment, and ability to help each of our students learn deeply and feel seen, heard, and valued.

The ideal candidate for any teaching position at Hawken School Upper School:

• Believes in Hawken’s purpose, promise, and principles
• Builds strong, supportive relationships with students and colleagues
• Thrives on a team
• Leans into all opportunities to collaborate with colleagues and with students
• Is reflective and thoughtful about their practice, seeks feedback, and is excited to grow as a teacher and curriculum designer
• Designs and facilitates learning in a way that supports students with learning deeply and sharing their learning through high-quality work, discussions, presentations, and other forms of assessment
• Has experience working in a diverse community and is committed to the ideals of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice
• Creates learning experiences for and with students that students remember fondly

THE POSITION

Hawken School is seeking a full-time Coding & Computational Thinking Teacher for the 2025–2026 school year. The Hawken CS curriculum features course work in AP Computer Science Principles, Python Fundamentals, and AP Computer Science A, currently delivered via the Project STEM online platform. It also encourages students with existing experience in multiple languages to pursue advanced, independent projects in computer science topics.  Typically 50-55 students are enrolled in these courses each year, approximately 10% of the Upper School population. Students also engage in three-week Intensive courses: hands-on deep dives into topics such as Programming Problems and Algorithms in Python, Robotics, Drones (Teach an Arduino to Fly), and Augmented Realities. Development of new Intensives related to the field of Computer Science that respond to the requests of our students is one goal of the department. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Teach and/or mentor students in the study of the course offerings of the department; the exact format depends on student interest and the limitations of scheduling
• Expose students to a wider range of topics in computing, expanding their knowledge beyond the sole study of a language
• Spark student interest in the areas of coding and computational thinking to encourage enrollment by those who may not have considered it
• Collaborate with colleagues to design/refine curriculum and support one another’s practice
• Utilize feedback-based assessment aligned with clearly-articulated learning outcomes
• Co-design interdisciplinary learning opportunities with students and colleagues that are beyond the traditional boundaries of computer science study, for example in three-week Intensive courses on topics such as artificial intelligence, tech start-ups, game design, design thinking, and real-world problem solving
• Coach or lead at least one significant co-curricular activity within the Upper School
• Serve as advisory (go-to adult for guidance) to a group of 10-12 students
• Use technology as appropriate to support student engagement, including Canvas (Learning Management System) and Microsoft Outlook, and possibly including Microsoft OneNote and other resources
• Be available during office hours to offer extra help in subject areas of expertise
• Perform other non-teaching duties as assigned by the Upper School Director or Head of School

Because Hawken believes in supporting teachers’ passions, in deepening their expertise, and in fueling their spirit of innovation, we provide substantive professional development opportunities that lead to the kinds of excellence that are a hallmark of our community.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Fluency in Scratch, Python, and Java, and the ability to explore and learn other languages
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related field is required; a Master’s degree and at least 3-5 years of teaching experience is preferred
• Enthusiasm for teaching and learning, flexibility, and a team spirit necessary for curricular collaboration and innovation
• A deep understanding of adolescence and a passion for working with teenagers as they engage the complex issues of today’s world
• Knowledge about, or openness to learning about, approaches to coding pedagogy that prioritize students’ construction of deep and robust conceptual understanding through productive struggle and discourse
• Familiarity with diverse ways of engaging students with a range of learning needs, enhanced by a desire to try new approaches
• Interest in and experience with helping students develop positive identities as computer scientists and coders
• A passion for creatively designing unique programing within our department and across disciplines to support curriculum that encompasses interdisciplinary approaches, multicultural perspectives, and experiential opportunities in and out of the classroom
• A continuous commitment to improving teaching proficiency

HAWKEN CANDIDATE COMPETENCIES

Mission, Culture, and Philosophy Alignment: Successful candidates show they can thrive at Hawken and are highly motivated by the school’s mission.

Fair Play: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice: Successful candidates indicate a commitment to and have experience with serving students and communities equitably.

Relationship Building and Cultivation: Successful candidates show they can build relationships throughout the Hawken community.

Content Knowledge: Successful candidates demonstrate depth in content area knowledge as well as an ability to inspire students to a high level of excellence and challenge and take a student-centered approach to all aspects of their work.

Humility and Growth Mindset: Successful candidates are eager to learn new approaches and methods and be able to team effectively with others.

Approach to Work: Successful candidates show initiative and agency with a commitment toward feedback and flexible problem-solving.

THE SCHOOL Founded on the ideal that “the better self shall prevail and each generation introduce its successor to a higher plane of life,” Hawken School is a coeducational independent day school with 1,600 students in toddler through grade 12. Our four campuses are located within 25 minutes of downtown Cleveland, and an urban extension center in the city’s museum district provides a demanding and integrated course of study in a diverse and dynamic environment.

To learn more about us, visit .

HOW TO APPLY: Please send a resume, references, and a cover letter to Matt Simon at [email protected] .

Hawken School is an equal-opportunity employer dedicated to promoting all forms of diversity in the workplace and in our student body. We strongly urge all qualified individuals to apply.

About Hawken School

Hawken School is committed to doing school differently and better. This means developing an inclusive and accepting community where adults feel empowered to design educational experiences for students that deepen their learning, engaging their emotions as well as their intellects. Hawken School seeks culturally competent teachers who are committed to equity and social justice, comfortable taking risks, and who embrace a growth mindset. Our faculty members are constantly looking for new ways to inspire student curiosity while remaining dedicated to nurturing compassion and kindness in our students. Successful candidates for any role at Hawken School must demonstrate skill and commitment in all the following key areas: Mission, Culture, and Philosophy Alignment: Candidates must show they can thrive at Hawken and are highly motivated by the school’s mission. Fair Play /Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice: Candidates must indicate a commitment to and have experience with serving students and communities equitably. Relationship Building and Cultivation: Candidates must show they can build relationships throughout the Hawken community. Content Knowledge: Candidates must ... demonstrate that they can lead and guide colleagues and/students to depth in their work. Humility and Growth Mindset: Candidates must be eager to learn new approaches and methods and be able to team effectively with others. Approach to Work: Candidates must show initiative and agency with a commitment toward feedback and flexible problem solving.

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