Director of Innovation and Design

About the role

Mid-Peninsula High School is an independent, non-profit, non-sectarian, coeducational college preparatory high school in Menlo Park, California. Intentionally small by design, Mid-Pen is built on genuine connection. Each student has a daily home base with a trusted adult who helps them get organized, set goals, and navigate the week, so students are supported, challenged, and guided toward greater independence. Mid-Pen offers a college-preparatory program that includes a full range of high school experiences. Students have options for accelerated and honors classes, visual and performing arts, and a robust and inclusive athletics program. Mid-Pen’s distinctive program is shaped by signature experiences such as the daily Core Program, DragonWeek intersession, and Dragon Workshops. Alongside a dedicated learning support program and a college advisor, these experiences help students build skills, confidence, and purpose.

Responsibilities

• Innovation & Strategy: In partnership with the leadership team, define and communicate a mission-based approach to innovation and design in teaching and learning at Mid-Pen. Set annual priorities and lead a small set of pilots and initiatives across the academic program. Work directly with faculty through co-planning, coaching, and practical support. Guide the development of values-aligned norms for student use of AI and related tools, and support their day-to-day use in classrooms.
• Leadership & Partnerships: Supervise the director of technology and provide direction for the technology program through that role. Collaborate closely with the director of teaching, learning, & equity to support innovation work with student needs and teaching practice. Steward the student device approach in a way that supports learning and access. Establish and maintain local, regional, and national partnerships that expand learning opportunities for students and support the school’s goals. Serve on the administrative team, report directly to the head of school, and perform other duties as assigned.
• Maker-centered Learning: Pilot and grow maker-centered and design-oriented learning experiences using existing spaces, programs, and partnerships. Identify near-term partnership opportunities and resources that expand hands-on learning. Work with staffulty to connect making to arts, performance, and DragonWeek, and to STEM learning as appropriate. Explore computer science pathways over time, such as coding or robotics. Contribute to longer-term planning for a maker-centered learning space as timing, space, and priorities allow, with a focus on building a program, not just a room.

Qualifications

• Professional Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree welcomed. At least 5 years of experience in schools, including significant classroom teaching experience at the secondary level. Demonstrated experience leading instructional innovation initiatives, including planning, piloting, and learning from results. Demonstrated experience coaching teachers 1:1 through co-planning, observation, feedback, and reflection. Experience supporting neurodiverse learners, including approaches that build access, independence, and self-advocacy. Experience developing community-wide guidance and shared expectations, including clear guidelines for student use of AI and related tools. Experience designing and facilitating professional learning for educators. Project management experience, including managing multiple initiatives, setting priorities, and following through reliably. Experience as a manager, including coaching and feedback.
• Leadership and Personal Qualities: A warm, steady presence with students, staffulty, and families, grounded in listening and clear communication. Credibility with staffulty and an ability to work alongside others in classrooms and planning spaces. Judgment to hold varied perspectives, build shared direction, and move work forward at a sustainable pace. Curiosity and humility, with a willingness to learn the Mid-Pen way before proposing solutions. Comfort with iteration and reflection while keeping a clear throughline. Visible engagement in the life of the school, including performances, exhibitions, and signature experiences such as DragonWeek.

Benefits

Not specified.

Pay

$120,000 - $150,000

Schedule

Full-time, Exempt