STEAM Educator

Thinkery • Austin, TX

7d • $48,000 - $48,500 • Hybrid

About The Position

Thinkery is a place where children and their families can engage in play-based, inquiry-rich, hands-on learning experiences. We believe that innovative, play-based, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) learning experiences are a powerful way for children to develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and curiosity about the world around them. Our exhibits and programs encourage children— alongside their caregivers—to solve creative challenges, explore a variety of materials, and to develop new ways to complete unfamiliar projects. Through these activities, children gain the tools and confidence to develop and grow into enthusiastic, creative, lifelong STEAM learners and thinkers.

The STEAM Educator is a passionate lifelong learner who serves as a key member of Thinkery's STEAM Learning team, bringing expertise in facilitating and developing educational experiences for diverse learners. This role is essential to advancing STEAM education through Thinkery's STEAM Learning Institute professional development programs and direct education programming. Strong alignment with Thinkery's core values of playfulness, innovation, collaboration, and belonging is a must. This dynamic role offers the opportunity to shape impactful STEAM education experiences while managing both year-round and seasonal programming initiatives.

Requirements

• Strong knowledge of STEAM content, educational pedagogy, current tools, trends, and technologies.
• Strong classroom management and facilitation skills in formal and informal settings.
• Excellent communication skills with children, families, educators, staff, and community partners from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent organization, time management, and attention to detail, with the ability to collaborate across departments and manage multiple programs, projects, and deadlines.
• Commitment to Thinkery’s mission, STEAM learning approach, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
• Ability to learn programming languages and educational technology platforms and develop cross-curricular content for PreK–5 learners.
• Flexibility and a positive attitude amid changing audience needs, organizational capacity, and budget realities.
• Associate's degree in Education, Family and Child Development, or related field. In lieu of degree, equivalent experience may be substituted.
• Experience working with children and educators by teaching either in formal or informal settings, delivering STEAM experiences in an educational environment.
• Experience creating lesson plans and/or curriculum and modifying to meet needs of diverse learners.
• Experience collaborating with adults in a professional setting.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with robotics, programming, circuitry, design thinking, or related technologies is strongly preferred.
• Spanish/English bilingual proficiency preferred.
• Experience in public school setting highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Senior STEAM Educator to facilitate and implement educational programs such as educator training, class visits, and summer camp.
• Coordinate program schedules, attendance, logistics, assessments, and evaluation for assigned programs and partnerships.
• Co-develop, edit, and customize new and existing STEAM-based curricula aligned with Thinkery’s learning framework and state standards for summer camp and professional development programs and museum learning teams.
• Facilitate STEAM activities for students in classrooms and workshop settings.
• Maintain program-supply inventory and coordinate materials across district partnerships, camps, and other educational programs.
• Attend and co-facilitate training for staff and external educators.
• Stay current on K–5 educational technology and STEAM practices for learners ages 3–11.
• Contribute to budget planning for educational programming.
• Support the recruitment, hiring, training, and coaching of seasonal staff and interns.
• Model best practices in STEAM education and child engagement, and provide professional development that promotes consistent, play-based, developmentally appropriate, and inclusive practices.
• Provide flexible support across education teams during seasonal program transitions.
• Build cross-departmental and community partnerships that align play-based STEAM programming, support educator professional development, expand program reach, and diversify participation.

Benefits

• Medical insurance options, including HSA, PPO Gold, and PPO Platinum plans
• Affordable dental and vision coverage
• 100% employer-sponsored EAP, STD, LTD, AD&D, and life insurance
• Two weeks of paid vacation, four weeks of paid sick leave, and 13 paid holidays each year
• Pet-friendly offices

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree