Director of Innovation & Applied Learning
POSITION OVERVIEW: Woodward Academy seeks a dynamic, visionary, and entrepreneurial educational leader to serve as the Director of Innovation and Applied Learning at Woodward North. This leader will direct and shape the school's expansion into seventh, and ultimately eighth, grade, by reimagining the Middle School experience via rigorous core academics, STEM, financial literacy and entrepreneurship, public speaking, interdisciplinary learning, and real-world applications. The Director will lead the design and implementation of this distinctive program, cultivate meaningful connections with local and national organizations, and create innovative learning experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving. In addition to teaching and providing day-to-day program leadership, the Director will collaborate with Academy leaders to explore opportunities to extend this innovative model to Woodward's Main Campus.
The ideal candidate will be a forward-thinking, strategic, and student-centered educational leader who combines exceptional teaching with a passion for STEM, innovation, and applied learning. This individual will be a creative thinker and collaborative problem-solver who can translate ambitious ideas into meaningful educational experiences, cultivate strategic connections, and inspire students and faculty to explore new possibilities. With a strong understanding of middle grade learners, the successful candidate will balance innovative thinking with effective program administration, bringing the energy, resourcefulness, and leadership necessary to build a distinctive academic experience.
Essential Responsibilities- Lead the planning, implementation, and continued development of Woodward North's seventh- and eighth-grade expansion, creating a distinctive and developmentally appropriate Middle School experience.
- Design and implement an innovative academic program that integrates rigorous core instruction with STEM, financial literacy and entrepreneurship, public speaking, interdisciplinary learning, design thinking, and real-world applications.
- Develop engaging, hands-on learning experiences, including collaborative projects, capstones, and other opportunities that foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
- Cultivate and expand strategic connections with universities, businesses, research institutions, and local and national organizations to provide students with meaningful mentorship, experiential learning, and real-world enrichment opportunities.
- Teach an appropriate course load in mathematics and/or English language arts while modeling exceptional instruction and supporting faculty in implementing innovative teaching practices.
- Provide day-to-day administrative leadership for the Woodward North Middle School program, including student support, faculty collaboration, family communication, scheduling, and program operations, in partnership with the Principal.
- Foster a positive, student-centered learning environment that supports academic excellence, character development, student well-being, and a strong sense of community.
- Collaborate with Academy leadership to evaluate program effectiveness, identify opportunities for continuous improvement, and explore the development of replicating similar innovative learning experiences at Main Campus.
Qualifications and Experience- Bachelor's degree in education, English, STEM, educational leadership, or a related field; master's degree preferred.
- Demonstrated success as an educator, preferably in the middle grades, with the qualifications and experience to teach mathematics and/or English language arts.
- Experience in instructional leadership, program development, or school administration, with a demonstrated ability to design and implement innovative, interdisciplinary, and experiential learning opportunities.
- Strong understanding of STEM, project-based learning, design thinking, entrepreneurship, and emerging educational technologies.
- Proven ability to cultivate partnerships, collaborate across disciplines, and build meaningful relationships with students, faculty, parents, and external organizations.
- Exceptional communication, organizational, and leadership skills, with a strategic and entrepreneurial mindset and a commitment to academic excellence, student-centered learning, and continuous improvement.
Preferred experience includes launching or expanding academic programs, supporting faculty innovation, and working in an independent school or similarly innovative educational environment.
The Director of Innovation & Applied Learning position is an exempt status, 10-month position.
