STEM Lab Director

Title:  STEM Lab Director 

Department/Location: Upper School, St Louis

Position Type: Full-Time, 39-week

Summary

Principia is looking for a dynamic and innovative STEM Educator. In this role, you will create and lead a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) learning environment for students in grades 9–12, using project-based, student-centered learning experiences to explore topics such as robotics, circuitry, graphic design, and engineering. Your passion for interdisciplinary learning, ability to facilitate self-paced, multi-stage projects, and commitment to integrating STEM across the curriculum will be key to your success. Reporting to the School Science Department Chair, you will play a critical role in delivering STEM instruction and contributing to broader cross-disciplinary initiatives, such as the 10th-grade CoLab course that blends humanities, English, chemistry, and STEM. Approximately 75% of the role involves teaching these STEM courses, while the remaining 25% focuses on integrating STEM into other disciplines and developing STEM-related partnerships. You’ll collaborate with the Media & Communications teacher, the Education Technology Director, the Upper School Principal, and fellow STEM teachers to develop meaningful partnerships and integrated learning opportunities.

Who We Are 

At our award-winning Early Childhood through grade 12 Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education—blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia’s team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of alumni and friends. 

At Principia School, our core value is LOVE. Love and its attributes underpin our foundational beliefs as well as our educational approach. We focus on developing the whole child—intellectually, physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually, preparing students for the next steps in life. We foster a challenging yet supportive environment where character unfolds naturally, and talent is cultivated through boundless opportunities. Character education plays an essential role in every aspect of the student experience, and classroom work is augmented by character trips, leadership development, and real-world, hands-on, project-based learning.

Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued.

 Primary Responsibilities 

• Teaching and Learning:
  • Coursework and student projects are aligned with NGSS Engineering Design standards (HS-ETS1-1 to HS-ETS1-4), ensuring students engage in authentic problem-solving by defining criteria and constraints, designing and evaluating solutions, analyzing trade-offs, and refining designs through data-driven iteration.
  • Coaching students on the use of lab hardware and software, guiding students through the completion of the projects, and assessing their learning.
  • Proactively works with Upper School faculty on ways to integrate STEM into classrooms across the Upper School. 
  • Supports Upper School Robotics Competitions.   Fosters and develops mentor relationships with the broader community to support these programs. 
  • Advocates for the STEM program and will work with faculty members, and students on the capabilities and use of the STEM equipment and materials. 
  • Aids in the research, implementation, training, and support of instructional technology in the Upper School STEM lab.
  • Establishes an exemplary classroom culture that balances high expectations with love and support.
  • Maintain and incorporate the use of different technological tools (3D Printers, laser cutters, etc.)
  • Explore possible STEM summer camp opportunities.
  • Proven track record in growing enrollment in STEM and Computer Science courses.
• Professional Development:
  • Ongoing curriculum alignment and instructional planning integrating the ISTE Student Standards, as appropriate, to ensure 21st-century readiness and ethical, effective technology use. These standards may include:
    • Empowered Learner

    • Digital Citizen

    • Knowledge Constructor

    • Innovative Designer

    • Computational Thinker

    • Creative Communicator

    • Global Collaborator
      

• Willing to be trained in and embrace both the SLII leadership model and in Clifton Strengths-Based Leadership.
• Attend and actively participate in Principia’s professional development when not in conflict with STEM activities.
• Collaborates with other Principia STEM Labs K-12. Meets as a team to align curriculum and maintain facilities. 
• Professional Responsibilities:
  • Ability to maintain equipment, keep an accurate inventory, and spend within allocated budgets.
  • Works with the Business Office to write grants to seek funding or funding matching to support the Principia STEM program.
  • Assists with NWEA data analysis.

 Core Competencies

• Positivity: Optimistic, positive, and focused on elevating and bringing out the very best in themselves and others. Faculty and staff are invited to understand teammates’ strengths and how they can complement each other.
• Team players: Ability to collaborate and partner with peers and senior leaders is critical, with an ability to listen, give and receive feedback, and be comfortable exchanging ideas and speaking candidly in a professional and collegial manner
• Strategic thinkers: Ability to consider complex topics from multiple perspectives and offer innovative solutions.
• Inclusion: Demonstrates awareness and respect for cultural differences, actively seeks to understand diverse perspectives, and supports cross-cultural interactions. Fosters an inclusive environment where individuals of all backgrounds feel valued and respected.
• Innovative: Presents a problem-solving mindset that helps our team come up with creative solutions to challenging issues, with a mentality of self-improvement and organizational excellence; meets challenges with resourcefulness; generates suggestions for improving work; develops innovative approaches and ideas

Minimum Qualifications 

• Student of Christian Science preferred 
• Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements as articulated here https://www.principia.edu/about/guiding-statements 
• Master’s in a STEM field required.  Ability to teach dual credit classes in STEM field/s preferred. 
• Proven background in teaching problem/project-based science, math, computer science, mechanical/electrical engineering, graphic arts, design, CAD/drafting, research and development, electronics, or physics.
• Expertise in educational technology leadership, including training in digital integration, AI, cybersecurity, and strategic long-term technology planning in schools.
• Extensive experience in a graduate-level STEM academic or research laboratory, with a strong background in conducting, analyzing, and managing research projects is preferred.
• Experience in boarding schools and international schools with a variety of ages of students is preferred.
• Experience in programming with Java, Python, C , Scratch, Alice, MatLab, or other similar languages. 
• Fluency with software, including Adobe Creative Suite, CAD, AutoDesk, and Mathematica preferred.

The statements above describe the general nature and level of work but are not a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of Principia.

 Compensation and Benefits

We offer a competitive salary range for this position, starting at $51,000 annually for candidates with a Bachelor’s degree and no prior teaching experience. Salary is commensurate with degree and years of teaching experience.

In addition to salary, our comprehensive total rewards package includes:

• Generous Employee Tuition Discount: Enjoy a 90% discount on tuition (pro-rated for part-time staff) for your eligible children enrolled from Pre-K3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded). 
• Relocation: Principia provides a relocation imbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary, when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles 
• Professional Development: Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Learn more about all our benefits here, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, paid time off, a 403(b) retirement plan with Principia matching, and more. 

Equal Opportunity 

Principia, a mission-driven institution, believes every person has the right to an equitable and respectful educational environment and workplace. Principia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, or military or veteran status. 

In hiring, admissions, and related decisions, Principia—as an institution with a religious mission—gives preference, where appropriate, to Christian Scientists.