Fordham Preparatory School

Full-Time Teacher - Computer Science Department

The Institution

Founded in 1841, Fordham Prep is a Catholic Jesuit college preparatory school for young men located on the Rose Hill Bronx campus adjacent to Fordham University in New York City. With approximately 950 students enrolled in grades 9-12, Fordham Prep draws young men of diverse backgrounds from throughout the boroughs of New York City and its surrounding suburbs. Fordham Prep’s mission is to form leaders committed to faith, scholarship, and service through a college preparatory education in the Catholic Jesuit tradition.

The Position

Fordham Prep seeks a visionary Computer Science educator who can institute and lead a new Computer Science Department in the 2022-23 academic year and serve as its first full-time faculty member. This role will provide opportunities to focus on innovative curriculum design, STEM programming, and other interdisciplinary opportunities within the academic program. This includes collaboration with key colleagues including the chairs of the Science, Mathematics, and Visual and Performing Arts Departments, the coordinator of the iSTEAM program, the Librarian and Media Specialist, and the Technology Department. The position includes responsibility as department chair for a four-year term (renewable once, not a permanent appointment), teaching the equivalent of a full load of class sections, and providing supervision for other part-time teachers within the department.

The department chair role will provide leadership in the areas of Computer Science curriculum, instruction, research, and project development, ensuring that the academic curriculum and program provides our students with superb content, skills, and opportunities in the field of Computer Science. This includes proposing new courses and design curriculum for novice and expert students alike, aiming to grow the department over time, and advocating generally for Computer Science as an academic discipline within the school.

This is a 10-month, tenure track faculty position with occasional evening programs, parent-teacher conferences, and other mandatory faculty-wide events during the academic year. The position reports directly to the Principal and will also work closely with the Assistant Principal for Academics and Student Life and iSTEAM Coordinator.

Ideal candidates will bring experience working with adolescents as a teacher in a secondary school setting  and be able to support the school’s mission of fostering young men of academic excellence and good moral character through a commitment to the ideals of Catholic, Jesuit education. 

Primary Responsibilities

• Teach the equivalent of a full load of class sections for a department chair within the Computer Science Department (NB: This may include classes in other academic departments in the first year of service and/or assistance with the Technology Department)
• Supervise and evaluate faculty members within the Computer Science Department as per the role and responsibilities of department chairs at Fordham Prep, including class observations and supervision of curriculum development and implementation
• Selecting and securing instructional materials, supplies, and other educational needs for the department
• Continually seeking improvement of the design of department courses, new course offerings, and faculty instruction
• Maintain the annual budget of the department and allocate funds as needed to support student learning and the school’s mission
• Encouraging professional growth opportunities for department members including discipline-specific conferences or workshops during the school year or the summer
• Collaborate with key administrators, faculty, and staff with regards to interdisciplinary opportunities within iSTEAM and the educational use of the Makerspace / Smart Classroom
• Support and promote the academic and co-curricular programs of iSTEAM
• Review and update curriculum on an annual basis with latest computer programming and new evolving computer related topics and technologies
• Participate in ongoing professional development including annual goal-setting, classroom observations, student surveys, self-reflections, and attending local and national professional workshops/conferences
• Demonstrated involvement in the larger school community, i.e., participating in student retreats, attending student programs/events, moderating a student club, etc.
• Participation in non-tenured and Ignatian formation programs for new faculty and staff, and support for student formation programs
• Participation as a member of the Council

Qualities, Experiences, and Skills of the Ideal Candidate

• A Master's Degree in Computer Science, Technology Education, or a related Computer Science program is preferred. Additional background in Engineering and/or Robotics is desirable.
• Extensive knowledge of the computer programming languages (e.g., Java, Scratch, Python, App Inventor, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, C++) and the ability to teach all levels of Computer Science, including AP Computer Science
• Knowledge of other Computer Science disciplines, such as Cybersecurity, Computer Networking, and Cloud Computing
• Knowledge of STEM related topics and the ability to support and/or contribute to the growing iSTEAM initiatives at Fordham Prep, which include Robotics, 3D Printing, and Sports Analytics
• Experience that demonstrates a clear capacity to design new computer science-related curriculum and enhance existing curriculum
• Experience with classroom teaching in a secondary school setting, and enthusiasm for working with high school students
• Leadership experience in an educational and/or business setting
• Excellent written and oral presentation skills, including both small and large group settings
• Excellent organization, communication, and time management skills, as well as the ability to handle multiple tasks concurrently, orientation to details and deadlines, and the inclination to collaborate as member of a team
• The ability to support the school’s mission of fostering young men of academic excellence and good moral character through a commitment to the ideals of Jesuit education.

Application Process

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Review of applications and interviews will take place immediately; the position will be filled shortly thereafter. Please email a letter stating personal interest, a comprehensive resume, and the names and phone numbers of at least two references (who will not be contacted until later in the interview process) to the attention of Dr. Joseph Petriello, Principal, at: employment@fordhamprep.org

Fordham Preparatory School is an EOE (Equal Opportunity Employer). This is a 10-month tenure track faculty position (September to June) with all staff benefits, including medical, retirement, and tuition remission at Fordham Preparatory School and Fordham University.