We believe that educators are changemakers — and when they are supported, inspired, and aligned in purpose, they ignite a spark in every learner.

Reports to: Founder & Executive Leadership Team
Location: Warrenville/Naperville, IL
Status: Full-Time, Year-Round

Role Overview:
The Head of School is the visionary, instructional, and operational leader responsible for bringing Orion STEM Schools' mission to life. This role ensures that the school is a thriving, inclusive, and innovative learning environment, rooted in Human-Centered Design, Disciplined Entrepreneurship, and real-world impact.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Drive implementation of the school’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities.
• Instructional Leadership: Guide the integration of inquiry-based learning, design thinking, and interdisciplinary curriculum across grade levels.
• Talent Development: Mentor and evaluate Designers (teachers), fostering a culture of growth, agency, and collaboration.
• Community Engagement: Build strong relationships with students, families, staff, and external partners to nurture a beloved school community.
• Operational Oversight: Oversee day-to-day operations including staffing, compliance, budgeting, and student services.

Ideal Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Education or related field; Ed.D or Ph.D. preferred
• Minimum 5–7 years of progressive leadership in K–12 education
• Deep understanding of STEM, design thinking, social-emotional learning, and student agency
• Proven ability to inspire, lead change, and foster inclusive environments

Lead Designer (Grades K–4 Primary Educator)
Role Type:  Learning Guide
Reports to: Head of School
Location: Warrenville/Naperville, IL
Status: Full-Time

Role Overview:
Lead Designers are homeroom-based educators who accompany students throughout the school day as they transition from one lab to another. For learners in Grades K–4, they serve as a steady presence—supporting transitions between classrooms, labs, and common areas while ensuring a cohesive and nurturing educational experience. In addition to teaching, every Lead Designer is a Caring Designer who mentors a cohort of students and helps cultivate a sense of belonging, purpose, and personal growth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and implement transdisciplinary, inquiry-based lessons rooted in real-world problem-solving
• Accompany students to various learning spaces, including labs led by Expert Designers, integrating subject content into core classroom experiences
• Personalize learning pathways based on student interest, need, and growth
• Serve as a Caring Designer—mentoring a dedicated group of students through regular coaching, goal setting, and social-emotional check-ins
• Create and maintain student portfolios that reflect learning across disciplines
• Collaborate with colleagues in planning, reflection, and student showcase events

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Education or relevant field
• 3+ years of teaching experience with younger learners
• Familiarity with design thinking, project-based learning, and growth mindset practices
• Passion for developing the whole child—academic, emotional, and civic

Expert Designer (Lab-Based Subject Specialist)
Role Type: Lab Instructor | Subject Specialist
Reports to: Head of School
Location:  Warrenville/Naperville, IL
Status: Full-Time

Role Overview:
Expert Designers are subject-matter specialists who bring STEM, Arts, Humanities, and Entrepreneurship to life in dedicated lab spaces. Students rotate into these labs to engage in immersive, inquiry-based learning experiences. As part of Orion’s educational ecosystem, Expert Designers not only deliver deep content learning—they also serve as Caring Designers, mentoring a group of students through their personal and academic growth journeys.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and facilitate lab-based, interdisciplinary learning experiences
• Collaborate with Lead Designers to align lab learning with classroom themes and project work
• Guide students through cycles of problem-solving, iteration, and reflection using the Design Thinking framework
• Curate tools, materials, and technologies in your designated learning space
• Serve as a Caring Designer—mentor and success coach—for an assigned group of students, conducting regular check-ins, supporting social-emotional development, and helping set personalized learning goals
• Contribute to student exhibitions and Orion’s Portrait of the Graduate assessment process

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's in relevant subject area or education
• 7+ years of teaching or design-based learning experience
• Expertise in inquiry-driven instruction and authentic assessment
• Deep commitment to mentoring, social-emotional learning, and personalized growth