Innovation Studio Teacher

Location: Marlborough, Massachusetts | Type: Full Time | Salary: $55,000 – $80,000

About the Role

New England Innovation Academy seeks a full-time Innovation Studio Teacher for the 2026-27 academic year. Full-time faculty teach four sections in Upper School, Middle School, or a mixture of both divisions with two or three different course preparations, participate in coaching two sports/activities or the equivalent, and serve as an advisor. Teachers collaborate and innovate with colleagues across different curricular areas and divisions, attend weekly staff meetings, and embed human-centered design as an ethos across the program.

The Innovation Studio Teacher inspires and instructs middle and high school students in integrated design, using human-centered design to develop empathy, passion, and curiosity. This role helps students explore the world through lenses of human needs, societal impact, and environmental sustainability, enabling them to take action through real-world, hands-on projects. Essential skills include 3-D modeling, designing with Adobe Illustrator, engineering with electronics, coding, and producing artifacts in the maker space and woodshop.

Innovation Studio courses are semester-based, with a foundations course for all new students and electives built on relevant themes. Teaching and learning revolve around a competency-based education system aligned with NEIA’s Pillars: Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Human-Centered Design, Integrated & Experiential Learning, and Belonging & Togetherness. This system assesses competencies applicable across all academic departments, as well as department-specific competencies, to demonstrate expertise in a subject. NEIA’s values of equity, agency, and adaptability are deeply embedded in this approach.

NEIA’s educational process extends beyond traditional classrooms, encompassing advocacy groups, after-school activities, residential programs, service projects, expeditions, and internships. These activities promote NEIA’s values and provide an innovative, relevant, and future-focused learning experience. Teachers invest deeply in the school community by participating in the advising (Advocacy) program, contributing to social and emotional learning initiatives, leading extracurricular activities, and chaperoning weekend events once or twice each term.

Responsibilities

• Embody NEIA’s principles of empathy, equity, personalization, authentic work, and collaboration in all activities.
• Develop engaging, integrated, and experiential curriculum and lesson plans tailored to students’ interests and needs.
• Implement classroom management strategies to maintain student focus and productivity.
• Adapt teaching methods to accommodate diverse learning styles and individual learning plans.
• Assess student progress through NEIA’s competency system, providing timely and constructive feedback.
• Build positive relationships with students to foster academic growth and development.
• Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and counselors to enhance the student learning experience.
• Identify and support students facing learning, emotional, or home challenges, working with the Student Support Team as needed.
• Communicate effectively with parents and guardians regarding students’ performance and needs.
• Incorporate goals, competencies, and objectives into lesson plans that apply to students’ lives.
• Strive to achieve school and course-wide performance goals for every student.
• Engage in ongoing professional learning in accordance with NEIA’s professional growth framework.
• Support the initiatives and strategic goals set forth by School Leadership.
• Prepare lesson plans, update curriculum, and collaborate with colleagues under the supervision of the Head of Teaching & Learning.
• Document student progress, write report notes, and assign learning extensions.
• Create and manage a learning environment that encourages students to develop their academic potential.

Core Teaching Responsibilities

• Teach four classes—or the equivalent—per semester.
• Serve as an Advocate (advisor) for a group of 5–8 students and implement programming as required.
• Adhere to standard work hours: 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Mon–Thurs) and 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Fri). Extended hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mon–Thurs) during two seasons of sports/after-school activities.
• Be available for WIN Block (Mon–Thurs, 2:50 p.m.–3:30 p.m.), barring other NEIA commitments.
• Follow teaching best practices and manage platforms like Google Classroom and Otus.
• Document year-long curriculum and take daily class attendance.
• Comply with individual learning accommodations for students.
• Write reports three times yearly and conduct advocate calls and parent/guardian conferences.
• Engage in ongoing professional learning as per NEIA’s framework.
• Attend all-school, division, weekly teacher, subject-area, and US/MS meetings.
• Serve on ad hoc or standing committees as needed.

Extracurricular Involvement

• Lead or assist in two seasons of After-School Activities (ASAs) and one Club annually.
• Chaperone student events, assist with athletic events, supervise recess, and support ResLife weekend activities (approx. 2 shifts per semester).
• Participate in Opening Meetings, Off-site Orientation Trips, Family Weekend, Monthly Professional Days, PIN Points, Dive into NEIA, Accepted Student Days, Admission Open House Events, Graduation, NEIA Expo, and End-of-School Meetings.

Residential Life Responsibilities (For On-Campus Staff)

• Oversee evening hours, ensuring safety and a quiet environment from lights out.
• Supervise students during weekends and chaperone off-campus trips.
• Serve as the overnight on-campus presence for student safety and order.
• Act as an emergency contact for residential students’ guardians outside school hours (5:30 p.m.–7:30 a.m. on weekdays).
• Manage weekend passes, permissions, and emergencies.
• Attend residential life house and staff meetings.

Schedule and Workload

Teaching staff are employed on a 12-month, exempt basis with a distinct vacation and paid time off (PTO) structure. Vacation days align with school vacation periods, subject to the following conditions:

• Teachers must be prepared to resume teaching immediately after school vacation.
• Respond to work-related communications within 24–48 hours when school is in session.
• Prepare for the upcoming academic year during summer break, including updating course outlines, organizing classes on Google Classroom, and planning lessons. Develop new curricula as the school grows.

During the academic year (~32 weeks), teaching staff should expect to work up to 55 hours per week. Teaching staff are entitled to five (5) days of PTO for sick or personal days.

Qualifications

• Ability to create a welcoming and supportive community for a diverse student body.
• Professionalism, discretion, sound judgment, equity, honesty, and personal accountability.
• Proficient knowledge of teaching strategies and methods.
• Ability to incorporate goals, competencies, and objectives into lesson plans that apply to students’ lives.
• Proficiency with technology in teaching, learning, and administrative functions; willingness to stay current with emerging technologies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong administrative, organizational, creative, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to efficiently manage time for self and others.
• Understanding of applicable laws, codes, policies, regulations, and safety practices.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• At least three years of teaching experience in a residential or day school setting is preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Stand or sit for long periods.
• Bend, lift, push, kneel, crouch, crawl, and stoop.
• Move around the classroom while teaching.
• Adapt to frequent changes in position throughout the workday.
• Hear and speak clearly to exchange information in person or on the telephone.
• Use hands and fingers for manipulation, educational tools, play equipment, keyboarding, first aid, and CPR.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and depth perception.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $55,000 – $80,000 on a full-time basis.