Harbor Day School seeks a creative and organized Design & Woodshop Teacher to lead our hands-on program for students in Kindergarten through 4th grade and 7th grade. This role blends traditional woodworking, material exploration, and design thinking in a structured, safe, and engaging environment.

Core Responsibilities

Curriculum Development: Design and deliver a scaffolded, age-appropriate curriculum that builds technical skills, spatial reasoning, and design literacy.

Instruction: Teach core design principles—ideation, prototyping, and iteration—using a wide range of materials (wood, cardboard, adhesives, etc.).

Shop Management: Maintain a productive, orderly, and safe workshop environment. Enforce safety protocols consistently.

Project Continuity: Effectively track and manage multiple in-progress projects across different grade levels and class sections.

School Community: Collaborate with classroom teachers, participate in faculty meetings, and fulfill campus supervisory duties (e.g., recess/lunch).

The Teaching Structure

This role requires high energy and excellent organizational skills. You will manage frequent transitions between groups:

K–4: Taught in half-class groups (approx. 10–11 students).

7th Grade: Taught in full-class groups (16–18 students).

Pacing: You must be able to maintain project continuity across multiple 30–50 minute sessions and handle rapid transitions between diverse age groups.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher in Industrial Design, Art Education, Architecture, Engineering, Woodworking, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience).

Experience: Proven ability to manage a classroom and work with children or adolescents in an educational setting.

Skills: Exceptional classroom management, strong interpersonal communication, and a collaborative spirit.

Mindset: Genuine enthusiasm for working with students from early childhood through early adolescence.

About Harbor Day School

Harbor Day School is a co-educational private independent k-8 school established in 1952.  It is the first independent school in Orange County and provides an academically challenging, well-balanced education in a nurturing, family-centered environment. Our traditional, yet innovative, curriculum develops eager, confident learners who think creatively and work collaboratively. Developing self-reliance, building strong moral character, and encouraging social responsibility are hallmarks of a Harbor Day education. Harbor Day School is committed to helping its professionals grow both personally and professionally through mentorship, professional development, and the opportunity to work with colleagues in meaningful and invigorating ways. Harbor Day School strives to build cultural competency, and is dedicated to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. Harbor Day School is the first independent school in Orange County. Located in Corona del Mar, Harbor Day School is ideally situated between UC Irvine and the Pacific Ocean. Harbor Day School is an equal opportunity employer. Harbor Day School does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender, national or ethnic origin, or sexual orientation.

Connections working at Harbor Day School