2026-2027 SmartLab (STEM) Teacher - St. Therese Academy at Diocese of San Diego
Job Summary
Job 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.
Requirements / Qualifications
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
Requirements / Qualifications
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
Comments and Other Information
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.
Comments and Other Information
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.