Windward School, a grade 7-12 college-preparatory, independent day school in West Los Angeles, seeks a dynamic, creative, self-directed Director of the Media Arts and Film Lab who reports to the Visual and Media Arts Chair and the Co-Directors of the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). This position will have three key functions at Windward. First, working closely with the CTL, this person will assist faculty across disciplines to incorporate media arts in student projects and assessments. Second, the person will support students in media arts and film classes, as well as during lunch and after school as a resource. Third, the person will manage the Media Arts and Film Lab, maintaining equipment and scheduling the use of the space. This is an 80% position that includes basic benefits, with a possibility for an increased role in the future.

The Windward Media Arts Program explores time-based storytelling with an emphasis on developing a student’s personal vision and voice. The program is founded on the legacy of American and international film, sound, and animation.  As the means of production and viewing evolve, shaping content and aesthetics, our program evolves with them, working with emerging storytelling forms like web-based media and fine art video practices. Students acquire a global perspective on storytelling voices while developing characteristics of leadership, empathy, and independence. Windward’s CTL is a dynamic space that brings together the Windward community to exchange ideas, learn together, and grow.  Through the collective talents of faculty and administrators who are teachers, librarians, curriculum specialists, and instructional technology professionals, the CTL enriches teaching, learning, and thinking at Windward.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with Chair of the Visual and Media Arts Department to facilitate the Media Arts curriculum through direct classroom support.

• Work closely with the Center for Teaching and Learning to consult, advise and support faculty across the school on media arts, film and video projects and assessments, and advocate for the use of media arts in all curriculum as a powerful form of rhetoric.

• Supervise and guide students working on Media Arts and Film projects, including lunch and afterschool times.

• Teach a class in Film Production, co-taught with a member of the Performing Arts Department.

• Work closely with the Theater Area to help create on-camera acting projects, and support the Theater Area in their efforts to update acting projects to include on camera performance techniques.

• Create a welcoming environment in the Media Arts and Film Lab and Broadcast Studio, which reflects the school’s mission, as a college preparatory school, of challenging each student to achieve academic excellence within a nurturing atmosphere.

• Work closely with faculty and students by teaching workshops and shaping the use of digital media in their curriculum.

• Help to select, collaborate with, and supervise specialized mentors to work with students and faculty on projects that require particular expertise.

• Oversee scheduling of the Media Arts and Film Lab.

• In conjunction with the Chair of the Visual and Media Arts Department, conduct research to expand a leading-edge Media Arts and Film Program, including literature review, suggested site visits, and partnering with leaders in the field.

• Continuously update and maintain the Media Arts and Film Lab, including partnering with the Technology Department to ensure all first level technical issues in the Media Arts and Film Lab are resolved in a timely fashion.

Qualifications

• Bachelor or advanced degree in the film/video/cinema arts, an interactive media-related field, or a field relevant to the duties of the position with significant experience working with film and video production.

• At least 4 years of experience in production and post-production audio and video technologies.

• At least 2 years of teaching experience, including curriculum design with integration of media arts in the classroom.

• Familiarity with narrative and illustrative conventions and techniques in temporal media and support projects from concept to a polished production.

• Demonstrated ability to create, advocate for, and execute a long-term vision for programmatic growth.

• Very strong interpersonal communication skills, and ability to communicate technical information to non-technical students and faculty.  

• Experience working with young people and a commitment to students, faculty and the educational process.

• Experience working in a team-oriented environment.

• Demonstrated ability to network and build a team of well-rounded media arts professionals.

• Willingness to work in a fast-paced work environment where roles and responsibilities are flexible.

Ideal candidate will

• Have exceptional organizational skills and follow through

• Have the ability to inspire and motivate people

• Be an independent problem-solver

• Have initiative and the ability to implement action

• Be a good listener and mentor, setting high expectations while supporting students in achieving their goals

• Be a reflective practitioner

• Be an exemplary role model to students and faculty alike

• Have a good balance of visionary ideas and practical solutions

This is a great chance to be part of a dynamic, close-knit, independent school culture and community.

Please contact David Unger at dunger@windwardschool.org. Send a cover letter, resume, 3 letters of recommendation, and a portfolio of work (DVD or online). Visit www.windwardschool.org to learn more about Windward School.