SmartLab (STEM) Teacher for the 2026-2027 School Year at Roman Catholic Bishop of San Diego – San Diego, California

School Name: St. Therese Academy

Location: 6440 Saint Therese Way, San Diego, CA 92117

Reports to: Principal

Employment Type: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt

Pay Rate: $52,000 - $60,000 per year

Summary
St. Therese Academy seeks an innovative, collaborative, and mission-driven educator to serve as our SmartLab Teacher beginning in the 2026–2027 school year. This role is a unique opportunity to lead our new SmartLab program and teach STEM specials classes for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade. The SmartLab Teacher will facilitate hands-on, project-based learning experiences designed to foster creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and design thinking skills. This educator will inspire curiosity, guide students through authentic problem solving, and cultivate a growth mindset in a dynamic lab setting aligned with our Catholic mission. This educator will play a key role in shaping the vision and culture of innovation at St. Therese Academy.

About St. Therese Academy

St. Therese Academy fosters a faith-filled Catholic Christian community in an environment of academic excellence where students are empowered to realize their full potential. We are committed to forming students who are curious learners, compassionate leaders, and thoughtful problem solvers.

SmartLab & STEM Specials Instruction

• Teach STEM specials classes for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade
• Facilitate hands-on, project-based SmartLab learning experiences aligned with SmartLab curriculum pathways
• Design and adapt lessons appropriate for a wide range of developmental levels
• Guide students through the design process, encouraging creativity, iteration, and problem solving
• Differentiate instruction to meet diverse learner needs
• Create a safe, engaging, and well-organized lab environment

• Support the launch and ongoing development of the SmartLab program
• Maintain SmartLab equipment, materials, and technology
• Evaluate and refine program implementation in collaboration with school leadership
• Support student showcases, demonstrations, or events highlighting student learning

Instruction & Student Learning

• Integrate STEM concepts including engineering, coding, robotics, digital media, and design thinking
• Use formative assessment to monitor student progress and adjust instruction
• Foster student agency, collaboration, and critical thinking
• Support development of executive functioning and project management skills

Collaboration

• Collaborate with classroom teachers to connect SmartLab learning with grade-level curriculum when appropriate
• Communicate student learning with families
• Participate in faculty meetings, professional learning, and school initiatives

Catholic Identity

• Support and uphold the mission and philosophy of Catholic education
• Model Christian values and foster a respectful and inclusive learning environment
• Integrate opportunities for reflection and ethical thinking within projects

Professional Learning Expectations

• Attend required SmartLab Facilitator Training prior to the start of the school year
• Engage in ongoing SmartLab professional development and program learning
• Participate in school and diocesan professional development opportunities

General Teaching Responsibilities

• Establish a positive learning culture and maintain strong classroom management
• Collect and analyze student learning data to inform instruction
• Communicate regularly with parents and guardians
• Collaborate with colleagues to share best practices
• Participate in professional development

Administrative and Other Responsibilities

• Maintain a neat and organized SmartLab environment
• Demonstrate professionalism with students, staff, and families
• Observe confidentiality regarding student and staff information
• Supervise duties as assigned
• Respond to communication in a timely manner
• Other duties as assigned

Religious Qualifications

• Respects and understands a Catholic school philosophy

Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Valid California teaching credential (preferred but not required for candidates with strong STEM background)
• Experience teaching or working with elementary or middle school students (preferred)
• Background or strong interest in STEM, engineering, robotics, coding, design thinking, or project-based learning
• Experience facilitating hands-on learning environments preferred
• Strong organizational and classroom management skills
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Clear criminal background check (Livescan required)
• Positive professional references

Physical Requirements

To successfully meet the needs of the students in his/her care, the person must:

• Spend the majority of the day standing.
• Sit on an occasional basis.
• Walk through the classroom and be able to maneuver in tight spaces between desks. Walk on both even and uneven surfaces
• Deal with students while kneeling or squatting, stooping, or bending
• Reach at, below, or above shoulder height with the dominant upper extremity; may require trunk or neck rotation to look back at the class
• Assist in moving children's desks and chairs to change the layout of the classroom to influence the learning situation. It is occasionally necessary to lift and carry boxes weighing up to 25 pounds from the office to classrooms

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to be inside the classroom. The employee is required to be mobile to, from, and within the classroom and preschool environment, as well as maneuver throughout the school facility to attend meetings, trainings, and other work-related events. The employee may be required to conduct trips to, from, and within various city and county-wide locations to attend trainings or workshops.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Please note this position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

St. Therese Academy, as part of the Catholic Diocese of San Diego, is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status.