Granville County Public Schools, as part of the SparkNC initiative, seeks to hire a creative, innovative individual to support learners across a network of North Carolina public school districts to engage in a new model focused on expanding pathways to high-tech fields. Learners will have the opportunity to explore high-tech fields while earning high school credit through a unique, multi-district collaboration that is learner-centered, industry-relevant, and competency-based.

Section I. About the SparkNC Initiative

SparkNC offers opportunities for learners to access rigorous and experiential pathways leading to jobs in high-tech industry—in areas including artificial intelligence & machine learning, cybersecurity, software development, data analytics, computer systems engineering, and user experience design.

SparkNC is an initiative of The Innovation Project (TIP), a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization that brings together North Carolina public school district leaders to rethink, reimagine, and redesign public education using equitable, learner-centered

strategies. Like other TIP initiatives, SparkNC will eventually expand to serve learners throughout North Carolina.

High-tech industry is growing rapidly in North Carolina and nationally, with a large and expanding pool of high-paying jobs available to those with the requisite interest, knowledge, skills, and abilities. Many of these jobs are going unfilled because young people aren’t aware of the opportunities, view them as unattainable, or don’t see clear pathways to pursue them.

SparkNC opens doors for learners to discover, experience, and navigate pathways toward high-tech jobs. We will help learners expand skill sets, build networks, gain confidence, and chart personalized pathways toward these jobs through engaging, connected experiences, resources, and guidance along our Learning Continuum:

We are deliberative and strategic, but also impatient and driven to action. We are passionate about transforming learning, particularly for those who have been disengaged or left behind by traditional systems. We believe strongly in

public education and the power of innovative educators to build impactful, personalized learning experiences for all kinds of learners.

Section II. The Role of the SparkLab Leader

The SparkLab Leader will join a unique network of innovative educators across North Carolina who will support learners as they progress through various in-person, blended, and virtual SparkNC learning experiences. This person will provide education, encouragement, and inspiration to learners enrolled in an experience called the “High-Tech Learning Accelerator.” The ideal candidate will have a passion for creativity and transforming education. We are looking for someone who would be excited for a nontraditional opportunity to design and support learning experiences that meet the needs of each and every learner. The SparkLab Leader will collaborate with other SparkLab Leaders, district and school staff, the SparkNC team, and partners from our business community to breathe life into cutting-edge learning experiences linked to high-tech fields.

The successful applicant for this role will be deeply driven by two ambitions: (1) a desire to expand pathways into high-tech fields for North Carolina learners, particularly those disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and those from groups that have historically been excluded from these fields; and (2) a deep and abiding commitment to supporting learning experiences that make public schools more learner-centered, equitable, flexible, and adaptive.

Section III. The Opportunity

The SparkLab Leader will serve as the “lead learner” in a new and evolving model. The SparkLab Leader will be actively engaged in the iterative design of the model and will fulfill the following roles:

Recruitment and Retention

• Actively recruit learners from across the district to enroll in the High-Tech Learning Accelerator, with a focus on learners disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and populations historically excluded from careers in tech
• Create a safe and supportive learning environment with routines and structures that align with the district’s values and promote a learning environment conducive to the intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of all learners

Content Development and Delivery

• Deliver at least three in-person, blended, or virtual learning experiences that may be accessible to learners across the network, and at least three learning experiences delivered in person to learners on site; the learning experiences described here will be equivalent to the amount of content typically delivered in a three-week period within a traditional high school course.
• Coordinate the technical components of learning experiences (e.g., schedule guest speakers, secure supplies, troubleshoot technical issues, etc.)
• Co-design new, modular learning experiences with other SparkLab Leaders, SparkNC team members, or business partners

Personalized Learning Environment

• Ensure that learners continually develop the durable skills needed to prepare them for a wide array of postsecondary opportunities
• Co-create progress checkpoints with learners to ensure they achieve their academic and career goals
• Establish feedback loops to continually check for and validate learner’s understanding of the learning experiences
• Validate learner’s work, and coordinate with district leads and SparkNC to issue credit accordingly

Partnership Development

• Connect with SparkNC’s business partners to provide subject matter expertise, arrange for them to volunteer in the SparkLab, or co-design learning experiences.
• Develop and maintain strong partnerships within the district, interdistrict network, local community, and businesses
• Act as a liaison between the district and SparkNC

Section IV. Technical Details

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree (preferred)
• Middle or high-school teaching experience (preferred)
• Deep commitment to engaging underserved and marginalized populations
• Ability to manage the SparkLab during and outside of traditional school hours
• Willingness to adapt to rapidly changing needs and priorities
• Knowledge of evidence-based pedagogical approaches that engage all learners
• Experience with, and dedication to, creating and refining engaging experiences in learner-centered environments
• Familiarity with technology and with the use of technology in designing and delivering high-quality learning experiences
• Experience with Design Thinking and/or Project-Based Learning (preferred)
• Desire to rethink foundational assumptions that have shaped existing systems, programs, and practices in K-12 education
• An entrepreneurial drive to learn, build, and lead

Section V. The Application Process

The SparkLab Leader will be an employee of GCPS and will carry out job duties outlined in the employee’s contract, which will be aligned with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between GCPS and SparkNC, an initiative of The Innovation Project.

This is a 12-month position beginning in July 2023. The application deadline is May 15, 2023. This position is funded for one year with the possibility of an extension.

If you are uncertain about whether your qualifications fully align to the criteria listed above, but you are seeking an opportunity to reimagine teaching and learning in a transformative way, we encourage you to apply.

We are committed to diversity and building an equitable and inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and experiences.