STEM Teacher

Position Overview
Sacred Heart Winnetka seeks an innovative, passionate STEM Teacher to deliver a rigorous, project-based curriculum across Grades K–8. The successful candidate will inspire students at all developmental levels — from early elementary inquiry through advanced middle school engineering — through hands-on challenges, interdisciplinary investigation, and student-driven research. This role integrates the NGSS three-dimensional learning framework in Grades K–5 with a comprehensive engineering design program in Grades 6–8, all within the context of a mission-driven Catholic school community.

Curriculum at a Glance

Grades K–5 | NGSS-Aligned Science & Engineering

The K–5 program is built around the three dimensions of NGSS — Disciplinary Core Ideas, Science & Engineering Practices, and Crosscutting Concepts — with phenomenon-based, inquiry-driven units across Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Earth & Space Sciences, and Engineering Design (ETS1). Every grade band includes at least one engineering design unit, outdoor/field learning, and embedded performance tasks assessed through science notebooks, lab investigations, and unit projects.

Key Responsibilities
Instructional Design & Delivery
Plan and deliver engaging, standards-aligned STEM lessons for Grades K–8 that integrate NGSS three-dimensional learning (K–5) and engineering design thinking (6–8)
Facilitate age-appropriate hands-on investigations including phenomenon-based labs, design-build challenges, field studies, and long-term project-based units
Integrate digital tools and emerging technology including drone simulation, virtual reality (Mission ISS), Snap Circuits, KidWind kits, and AI literacy platforms
Guide middle school students through a seven-step engineering design process with emphasis on iteration, documentation, and evidence-based reflection
Connect outdoor and local environmental contexts to classroom learning across all grade levels
Curriculum-Specific Responsibilities by Grade Band
Grades K–2: Deliver phenomenon-based units in forces & motion, light & sound, living systems, weather, and Earth's changes; facilitate introductory engineering design challenges aligned to ETS1 standards
Grades 3–5: Lead investigations in forces, life cycles, ecosystems, adaptation, energy, waves, body systems, matter, gravity, and climate change; guide students through controlled experiments, data analysis, and sustainability capstone projects
Grade 6: Lead Flight School, Space Week, ocean plastic pollution research, and balsa-wood bridge challenges; introduce all nine engineering disciplines and the seven-step design process
Grade 7: Facilitate environmental engineering research, hydroponics, stop-motion animation, and clean-energy transportation design
Grade 8: Teach artificial intelligence ethics and digital literacy; oversee advanced structural engineering and three-week independent capstone research projects
Assessment & Documentation
Implement NGSS-aligned formative and summative assessments including science notebooks, performance tasks, exit tickets, lab investigations, and portfolios
Administer and evaluate digital portfolio assessments for Grades 6–8 aligned with engineering design process benchmarks
Support students in developing SMART learning goals and selecting engineering focus disciplines in middle school
Provide timely, constructive feedback on written reports, design documentation, class presentations, and research papers
Community & Professional Engagement
Collaborate with colleagues across disciplines to foster cross-curricular connections in science, math, language arts, and social studies
Communicate regularly with families regarding student progress, project timelines, and portfolio milestones
Participate in school-wide professional development and contribute to the ongoing refinement of the STEM scope and sequence K–8
Model Sacred Heart values through ethical inquiry, inclusivity, and a commitment to students' holistic development

Qualifications
Required
Bachelor's degree in STEM education, science education, engineering, or a closely related field
Valid Illinois teaching licensure appropriate to elementary and/or middle school science or technology education
Demonstrated experience delivering inquiry-based or project-based STEM instruction in a K–8 setting
Familiarity with NGSS three-dimensional learning framework and its classroom application
Proficiency with educational technology and physical computing tools (VR applications, circuit kits, coding environments)
Strong classroom management skills across a wide developmental range, from kindergarteners to eighth graders
Preferred
Master's degree in STEM education, instructional design, science, or engineering
Experience teaching across multiple grade bands (elementary and middle school)
Coursework or professional experience in two or more NGSS domains (Physical, Life, Earth & Space, or Engineering)
Experience with aeronautics, environmental science, robotics, renewable energy, or artificial intelligence curriculum
Familiarity with digital portfolio platforms and standards-based grading practices
Prior experience in an independent or Catholic school environment

Competencies & Personal Attributes
Collaborative and reflective practitioner committed to continuous improvement across grade levels
Skilled communicator able to differentiate instruction for learners from kindergarten through eighth grade
Culturally responsive educator who builds inclusive, equitable learning communities grounded in curiosity
Self-directed and organized, with ability to manage multiple long-term project-based units simultaneously
Enthusiastic mentor who encourages student voice, wonder, and intellectual risk-taking at every age

Working Conditions
Schedule: Full-time, academic year position aligned with Sacred Heart Winnetka's school calendar
Environment: Dedicated STEM classroom equipped for design-build activities, lab work, and digital fabrication
Reporting: Reports to the Academic Dean / STEM Department Lead