SUMMARY: Rocket Academy (RA) is seeking full and/or part-time innovative advanced manufacturing instructor to work as part of a team to lead and teach one or more of the manufacturing and trades-based pathways in our unique manufacturing-based charter school. Our current pathways include: HVAC, industrial maintenance, machining/CNC, and welding. The vision of Rocket Academy is to provide relevant, technology-based education to prepare students for college, careers, and the global community. Rocket Academy offers a rich, diverse, and authentic learning experience for students in 11th and 12th grade through a competency-based curriculum provided by Lakeshore College (LC). The 2025-2026 school year is the first year of offering an industrial maintenance/electro-mechanical pathway, the second year for our HVAC and welding pathways, and the third for precision machining/CNC.
We operate in a new, 12,000 square foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing-based instructional facility. The instructor will be primarily responsible for leading, directing, advocating, and overseeing the welding and/or machining operations associated with Rocket Academy. Through their daily work with students, families, and colleagues, they embody the mission of the school.
We are seeking an individual who is passionate about learning, student success, and innovative teaching. Applicants must be creative, flexible, spontaneous, and risk-takers who possess the ability to excel in unstructured environments.
The instructor will work closely with the Rocket Academy Director on a range of projects to help facilitate continued charter school growth during the 2025-2026 school year and beyond.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Teaching Responsibilities: • Design, deliver, and assess the competency-based curriculum as designed by Lakeshore College (LC) & Rocket Academy (RA). • Perform all aspects of classroom management, preparation, and implementation of current teaching strategies. • Experience leading/managing people and providing positive and corrective feedback. Organize and participate in special activities for students. • Attend appropriate conferences, workshops, and in-services. • Effectively communicate with parents • Guide placement procedures and participate in placement meetings, as assigned, for newly referred students.
Additional Responsibilities: • Experience leading/managing a team/department and also organizing and tracking work assignments. • Work with LC staff to develop the curriculum delivery model. • Complete the technical college courses necessary to obtain dual-credit instruction certification. • Attend any conferences and/or training as assigned by the director. • Work with the Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator to assist with work-based learning placements, conferences, as well as support of technical and soft skill training. • Work with partner institutions of higher learning to create new avenues for dual or advanced placement credits • Assist in planning and delivering community open-house events and information nights. • Assist with the development and evaluation of school instructional methods and recommend changes and improvements as needed. • Assist with the development of the Rocket Academy goals, and plan and follow through with the attainment of those goals. • Communicate and facilitate the implementation of Rocket Academy Governance Council policies and administrative rules. • Assist in the administration of any testing programs assigned in the school. • Assist in selecting and ordering furniture, equipment, and classroom supplies for Rocket Academy.
Additional Information: The position(s) begin as soon as possible, but opportunities for dual-credit certification training will be available before the starting date.
Helpful Qualifications: For all applicants: Be able to qualify for a WI Technology Education Teaching License via either traditional or non-traditional means. https://dpi.wi.gov/te/licensure
Welding: Technical Diploma in the discipline or related field OR Valid Journeyworker card in the discipline or related field. Five or more years of related occupational experience in the discipline.
Industrial Maintenance: Associate Degree in the discipline or related field OR Valid Journeyworker card in the discipline or related field. Five or more years of related occupational experience in the discipline.
Manufacturing Engineering or Electro-Mechanical Automation (SACA): Bachelor's Degree in the discipline or related field. Minimum of 2 years of related occupational experience.
HVAC: Associate Degree in a discipline or related field. Five or more years of related occupational experience in the discipline.
Machining/CNC: Technical Diploma in the discipline or related field OR Valid Journeyworker card in the discipline or related field. Five or more years of related occupational experience in the discipline.
Desirable candidate attributes Experience leading/managing people and providing positive and corrective feedback.
Experience and knowledge of both technical and interpersonal/soft skills.
Ability to maintain composure in stressful environments and communicate and/or promote desired outcomes that may challenge the status quo.
Willingness to collaborate with fellow instructors and support as well as lead Academy initiatives.