Innovation Fellow

At The Mount Vernon School, students are empowered to discover, explore, learn, design, create, and effect change. With a commitment to Identity, Diversity, Equity, and Action (IDEA), we welcome the opportunity to engage in honest, vulnerable, and courageous conversations that challenge our biases and assumptions. Our goal is to design a better world, so we choose to equip students with the knowledge, skills, attributes, and relationships they need to be impact-ready.

Role 

The Innovation Fellow position is a one-year fellowship for a recent graduate or mid-career professional who is interested in developing leadership, facilitation, and communication skills in an independent school environment. This candidate is strong in their focused area of study and is a passionate learner focused on inquiry, innovation, and impact. Each fellow will work with their respective division, the Learning & Development Team to build skills, provide daily coverage for classes/duties, and contribute to the school community. The program offers Innovation Fellows a window into every aspect of teaching with a curated curriculum focused on pedagogy, leadership, and innovative approaches to learning. This position is a full-time position beginning in August 2025 and ending in June 2026. Ideal candidates should be curious, empathetic, and optimistic. They ask lots of questions and always want to learn new skills. Collaboration and initiative-taking also tend to be default modes for team members who thrive.

Responsibilities 

• Works directly with students by providing daily classroom support as needed
• Works to support short and long-term operational and strategic initiatives
• Works with the Fellows Program Team to fulfill the Program’s curriculum scope and sequence
  • All Innovation Fellows complete artifacts/reflections that culminate in a portfolio
• Reports to the Division Head and meets weekly with an assigned mentor/coach
• Demonstrates professionalism and collegiality to students, faculty, and community
• Partners with designated faculty to learn about and support various aspects of student life
• Attends a weekly fellowship seminar as well as weekly professional learning meetings
• Duties as assigned.

Core Competencies 

• Strong organizational/executive functioning skills
• Ability to cultivate respectful and affirming environments 
• Culturally proficient & equity literate
• A track record of giving high-quality, responsive feedback 
• Interest/experience in competency-based assessment/mastery approach to learning
• Interest/experience in inquiry-based learning pedagogies (ie: project based learning, design thinking)
• Proficiency in Google suite & Mac/Apple OS

• Aptitude and experience working with students
• Passion for teaching and learning
• Bachelor’s degree in education or a related field (preferred)
• Teaching Certificate (preferred)
• Classroom experience (preferred) 
• Orton-Gillingham literacy training (preferred) 

 This job description is intended to describe the basic elements of the job and should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with the job. This job description does not constitute a contract. It may be modified or amended at any time as determined in the School’s discretion.

The faculty and staff of The Mount Vernon School believe the fair and equitable treatment of employees is critical to fulfilling its mission and purpose. It is the policy of The Mount Vernon School to conduct business and provide equal employment opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.