Professional Educator Jobs in Springfield, VA (NOW HIRING)

About KID Museum
KID Museum is the nation's leading educational makerspace for youth. Our mission is to revolutionize how kids learn through the maker experience. Through hands-on programming and deep learning experiences, we empower youth with the creative problem-solving and STEM skills to invent the future. With a focus on engaging populations traditionally underrepresented in STEM, our programs aim to build economic opportunity and diversify the future talent pipeline.

Our vision is to become the standard of excellence for inclusive, impactful maker learning nationally, and a model for how to expand access to maker learning at scale. Our headquarters in the Washington, DC region serves as our innovation hub. In partnership with local school systems, government and philanthropic leaders, we design and deliver K-12 programs that produce results at scale in a large and diverse metropolitan region. We leverage insights from this learning lab to create resources, training, and technical support to expand high-impact maker learning nationally. For more information, please visit KID Museum.

Position Overview

KID Museum is seeking a Maker Educator to facilitate and develop programs that engage children ages 4-14 in impactful, maker-based learning experiences. These learning experiences are grounded in both 21st century skills and social emotional learning in order to equip kids with confidence, creativity, and compassion. The Maker Educator also helps to set the tone for visitor interactions and is expected to contribute to a positive, collaborative culture that is conducive to active learning and exploration. The successful candidate will preferably have a Bachelor's degree in Education, Engineering or a related field and previous experience in elementary or secondary education. Experience creating classroom content is a plus. Familiarity with the Maker Movement, its objectives and traditions is also preferred. Spanish language proficiency is desired.

Essential Job Functions

• Serve as a core member of the KID Museum education team, fostering an inquiry-based, self-directed learning environment that encourages innovation, discovery, and creative problem-solving throughout all programs.
• Dedicate approximately 80% of time to program facilitation-including setup, cleanup, and prep-and 20% of time to curriculum development, prototyping, fabrication, and other responsibilities as needed.
• Facilitate and lead engaging, hands-on maker-based programs for youth in both in-person and virtual settings, ensuring participant safety, engagement, and inclusion.
• Design imaginative learning experiences and develop clear, effective facilitation plans.
• Create and prepare necessary materials, including prototypes and activity kits.
• Engage in ongoing professional learning to deepen content and pedagogical knowledge.
• Maintain clean, organized, and ready-to-use learning spaces.
• Successfully complete other duties as assigned.
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience facilitating maker education or hands-on STEAM programming for elementary and middle school youth.
• Experience with common maker tools and technologies such as woodshop tools, 3D printers, and laser cutters preferred.
• Experience teaching and/or developing coding and robotics programs preferred.
• Skilled in engaging diverse groups of youth and maintaining participant focus throughout programming.
• Highly creative and solutions-oriented; able to think outside the box in program design and delivery.
• Comfortable researching and learning new technologies, systems, and tools.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to meet deadlines and prioritize tasks.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; able to connect with children, educators, families, and community members.
• Able to work both independently and collaboratively with minimal supervision.
• Flexible, adaptable, and resourceful-with a good sense of humor.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.
• Willing and able to work a full-time schedule of 40 hours per week, occasionally outside of standard business hours and including evenings and at least two weekend days per month.
• Able to teach at off-site locations as needed.
  

Compensation and Location The salary range for this position is $50,000 to $55,000 (commensurate with experience) and it is offered along with a competitive benefits package. The position is based in Bethesda, MD.

Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion are important, interdependent components of everyday life at KID Museum and are critical to our pursuit of excellence. KID Museum is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sex, ancestry, citizenship status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, veteran status, or military status.