Work With Us

The University of Pittsburgh/Falk Laboratory School is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity, and diversity. Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets.

Current Openings:

• Director of Research and Clinical Practice
• K–8 Environmental Learning & Outdoor Educator
• School Librarian (K–8)
• K–8 Substitute Teacher

Director of Research and Clinical Practice

Falk Laboratory School, a co-educational K-8 laboratory school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh, seeks a full-time, experienced Director of Research and Clinical Practice, beginning July 1, 2026.

The Director of Research is the strategic leader responsible for fulfilling Falk Laboratory School's mission as a "living laboratory" where research is inextricably linked with progressive teaching, learning, and educational innovation. This role is dedicated to strategically growing Falk's research mission by expanding outreach, fostering deep collaborations across the university and other educational institutions, and increasing the school's scholarly presence in global research spheres.

Strategic Leadership and Growth

The Director of Research acts as a steward for inquiry, knowledge, and collaborative learning, moving beyond coordination to serve as a connector and partner.

• Strategic Outreach: Expand Falk's research collaborations with the University of Pittsburgh School of Education (SOE), other university departments, and external educational organizations.
• Scholarly Presence: Lead the school's publication efforts and enhance its scholarly presence in educational research spheres, both locally, nationally, and internationally.
• Mission Alignment: Center research on fostering equitable educational opportunities that honor student identities and strengths.
• Knowledge Production: Position teachers, students, and families as active producers of knowledge rather than just subjects of study.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Outreach and Collaboration

• Inter-Institutional Bridge: Facilitate deep dialogue and collaboration between the SOE, the broader University, and external educational organizations.
• Community Engagement: Connect school-based research to diverse audiences, including families, staff, and peer institutions.
• Partnership Development: Identify and cultivate research pairs and sustained collaborations between university researchers and Falk faculty.

2. Scholarship and Publication 

• Research Frameworks: Design and manage the protocols and frameworks for all research studies to ensure clarity of goals and ethical engagement.
• Knowledge Production: Increase the school's scholarly visibility by supporting the publication of findings and sharing models of collaborative education.
• Annual Research Symposium: Lead and facilitate a mandatory annual spring symposium at Falk to share "works in progress" and ignite new scholarly connections.

3. Research Support and Mentorship

• Classroom-Based Inquiry: Provide sustained support for teachers investigating their own practice through Professional Learning Communities (PLCs).
• Direct Assistance: Offer "on-the-ground" help, which may include data collection, analysis, or providing classroom coverage to allow teachers to engage in research.
• Committee Expertise: Provide specialized expertise to the Falk Research Committee regarding research design and equity-oriented inquiry.

4. Clinical Practice and Preservice Coordination

• Placement Facilitation: Manage and oversee the placement process for all preservice candidates, matching university students with Falk mentors to ensure high-quality clinical experiences.
• Orientation and Induction: Design and lead orientation programs for preservice teachers to ground them in the laboratory school's philosophy, "living laboratory" model, and school-specific protocols. 
• Programmatic Oversight: Monitor the progress of preservice cohorts and collaborate with university supervisors to ensure student teachers are meeting both university requirements and Falk's standards for excellence.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Experience: Proven research experience, specifically within school-based settings.
• Methodological Expertise: Must be highly experienced in Improvement Science or Continuous Improvement research methodologies.
• Clinical Supervision: Experience in teacher education, mentoring, or the supervision of student teachers is highly preferred.
• Education/Background: Ability to bridge the different language and intellectual frameworks used by university scholars and K-8 practitioners.

Position Logistics

• Appointment: Full-time, 12-month, non-tenure stream Falk faculty position.
• Reporting: Reports directly to the Director of Falk Laboratory School.

Application Requirements

1. For full consideration, applicants should submit:
2. Letter of application
3. Resume/CV
4. Educational philosophy statement
5. Three letters of recommendation

Salary & Benefits

Salary is commensurate with experience. Falk Laboratory School, a department in the School of Education at the University of Pittsburgh, offers excellent benefits. Questions can be sent to Molly Hicks, Director of Administrative Operations, at [email protected].

Application Timeline & Contact

Applications will be reviewed beginning in mid-April and will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled. Offer of employment is contingent on the candidate satisfactorily obtaining and passing the following before commencement of appointment: Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance, Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check, and FBI Criminal Record Check. Candidates must also submit proof of a negative TB test before their first day of work. As Act 168 of 2014 requires, the Candidate must satisfy the requirements on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education Sexual Misconduct/Abuse Disclosure Release Form.

For more information or to apply, view this position on the University's Talent Center webpage

K–8 Environmental Learning & Outdoor Educator

Falk Laboratory School, a co-educational K-8 laboratory school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh, seeks a full-time, experienced K-8 Environmental Learning & Outdoor Education Teacher, beginning August 15, 2026. We are seeking an educator who sees the natural world not as a subject to be taught, but as a living system to be studied, cared for, and improved through the work of children - through inquiry, action, and project-based learning.

Position Overview

We seek a dynamic, innovative educator to design and lead a K-8 environmental learning program that transforms our natural area, Falk Woods, and the greater Pittsburgh region into a living laboratory for inquiry, stewardship, and real-world problem solving.

Building on a beloved 20-year legacy, this role will reimagine and modernize a future-facing model of environmental educational learning through:

• Place-based and outdoor learning
• High-quality Project-Based Learning (PBL)
• Ecological action research, such as Citizen Science
• Authentic partnerships with local organizations and universities
• Commitment to progressive and constructivist education
• Positioning the school as a regional and national leader in environmental PBL

Students will not simply learn about the environment—they will investigate, contribute, and take action.

Program Vision

The Environmental Learning & Outdoor Education program is envisioned as:

• A core pillar of our progressive laboratory school model
• A pathway to building reverence for our natural world
• A space for developing mindfulness and reflective practices
• A K-8 vertically aligned experience grounded in developmental practice
• A bridge between campus ecology, the greater Pittsburgh area, and beyond
• A hub for student voice, agency, and real-world impact

Through partnerships and real-world inquiry, students will engage in:

• Ecological action research
• Authentic problem-solving
• Community-based environmental stewardship
• Mindful observation, sketching, and journaling
• Quiet wonder

Core Responsibilities

1. Program Design & Instruction (K-8)

• Design and implement a developmentally progressive K-8 environmental curriculum that contributes to the school's identity as a demonstration site for progressive education
• Personalize instruction and assessment utilizing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) tenets and Grading for Equity principles
• Utilize Falk Woods as an outdoor classroom and research site
• Facilitate hands-on, inquiry-driven, and project-based learning experiences
• Collaborative, interdisciplinary integration of environmental learning

2. Project-Based Learning & Real-World Application

• Design and facilitate high-quality Project-Based Learning (PBL) experiences (example: Buck Institute for Education - PBLWorks)
• Engage students in authentic ecological research. Support students in:
  • Designing investigations
  • Collecting and analyzing data
  • Drawing conclusions that inform real-world decisions
• Partner with organizations (example: Citizen Science) to create authentic, real-world projects in which students:
  • Investigate compelling environmental questions
  • Engage in sustained inquiry
  • Collaborate with experts and community partners
  • Connect with scientists, researchers, and environmental leaders
  • Produce work with real audiences and real impact. Examples may include:
    • Biodiversity studies informing local conservation efforts
    • Water or soil quality monitoring tied to community needs
    • Habitat restoration and land-use design projects
    • Student-designed environmental action campaigns
• Position students as: researchers, stewards, problem-solvers, advocates

3. Stewardship & Land Management

• Lead students in the active stewardship of the school's natural spaces
• Develop long-term projects such as:
  • Habitat restoration
  • Trail design and maintenance
  • Biodiversity monitoring
• Support faculty in utilizing outdoor spaces as extensions of the classroom
• Collaborate with facilities and local experts to sustain a healthy ecosystem

4. Culture, Safety, and Risk Management

• Establish clear routines and expectations for outdoor learning
• Ensure safety in all on-campus and off-campus experiences
• Model and teach responsibility, stewardship, and community care

Desired Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree is required. A Master's degree, or demonstrated progress toward a master's degree in teacher education or a related field, is preferred. Broad experience is advantageous, as collaboration across disciplines and grade levels is a valued practice at Falk. Highly creative work experience in elementary education is considered an asset.

Experience & Background

• Background in environmental science, ecology, outdoor education, or related field
• Experience with Project-Based Learning (PBL) design and facilitation
• Experience working with K–8 learners

Mindsets & Dispositions

• Deep belief in student-centered, experiential learning
• Passion for environmental stewardship and sustainability
• Orientation toward real-world impact and student agency

Skills

• Curriculum design with vertical alignment (K-8)
• Facilitation of inquiry and project-based learning
• Partnership development with community organizations
• Strong communication and collaboration skill

Materials can be uploaded to join.pitt.edu. For full consideration, please submit the following: 

1. Letter of application
2. Resume
3. Educational philosophy 
4. Three recent letters of recommendation (not older than two years)
5. Unofficial transcripts (candidates may be requested to provide official transcripts at the time of hire)
6. Copy of PA instructional certificate or equivalent 

The minimum base salary is $50,000; credit will be given for years of relevant experience. Falk Laboratory School, a department in the School of Education at the University of Pittsburgh, offers excellent benefits. Letters of inquiry or questions can be sent to Molly Hicks at [email protected].

Application Timeline & Contact

Applications will be reviewed beginning in May and will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled. Offer of employment is contingent on the Candidate satisfactorily obtaining and passing the following before commencement of appointment: Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance, Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check, and FBI Criminal Record Check. Candidates must also submit proof of a negative TB test before their first day of work. As Act 168 of 2014 requires, the Candidate must satisfy the requirements on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education Sexual Misconduct/Abuse Disclosure Release Form.

For more information or to apply, view this position on the University's Talent Center webpage

School Librarian (K–8)

Falk Laboratory School, a co-educational K-8 laboratory school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh, seeks a full-time, experienced, and dynamic school librarian for the 2026-2027 academic year, beginning in August 2026.

About the Library

The Falk Library exists to:

• Nurture a love of reading and an appreciation of literature and stories.
• Help students develop the skills to find, evaluate, and apply information effectively, empowering them to function as informed individuals and engaged members of society.

Our vision is for the library to be a vibrant, inclusive space where learners of all ages feel welcomed and inspired to explore their curiosity. The library nurtures creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, empathy, and social responsibility, and serves as a central space for collaboration, community building, and meaningful inquiry.

Responsibilities

The librarian will collaborate with faculty, staff, and peer librarians to advance the library's mission, including:

• Designing and implementing inquiry-based, student-centered learning experiences and assessments.
• Creating an environment conducive to active learning, resource-based instruction, and collaboration.
• Promoting curricula that develop the full range of literacy skills necessary for lifelong learners.
• Collaborating with educators to support students' learning needs.
• Evaluating and integrating technologies to enhance teaching, learning, and access to resources.
• Aligning the library program with state and national best practices.
• Advocating for the library program and the principles of the library profession.
• Supervising and mentoring library staff, including undergraduate and graduate students, and coordinating parent volunteers.
• Curating the library collection, including vetting, selecting, ordering, and processing new materials and resources (print and electronic)

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Library and Information Science, or progress toward one, preferred.
• Pennsylvania state school librarian certification is a plus.
• Experience working with K-8 students is strongly preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with demonstrated leadership and management experience.
• Commitment to progressive, student-centered, and inclusive education practices.
• Experience in or willingness to learn media technologies, such as DSLR cameras, iMovie, Garage Band, online databases, and research tools. 

Application Requirements

For full consideration, applicants should submit:

1. Letter of application
2. Resume/CV
3. Educational philosophy (including use of technology with children)
4. Three letters of recommendation
5. Official transcripts
6. Pennsylvania teaching/librarian certification or equivalent

Salary & Benefits

The minimum base salary is $50,000; credit will be given for years of relevant experience. Falk Laboratory School, a department in the School of Education at the University of Pittsburgh, offers excellent benefits. Questions can be sent to Molly Hicks, Director of Administrative Operations, at [email protected].

Application Timeline & Contact

Applications will be reviewed beginning in April and will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled. Offer of employment is contingent on the Candidate satisfactorily obtaining and passing the following before commencement of appointment: Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance, Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check, and FBI Criminal Record Check. Candidates must also submit proof of a negative TB test before their first day of work. As Act 168 of 2014 requires, the Candidate must satisfy the requirements on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education Sexual Misconduct/Abuse Disclosure Release Form.

For more information or to apply, view this position on the University's Talent Center webpage

K–8 Substitute Teacher

Falk Laboratory School, a coeducational K-8 laboratory school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is accepting applications for part-time substitute teachers. Applications in all certification areas are welcome, including Elementary, Secondary, and Subject area specializations. Please direct questions to Molly Hicks, Director of Administrative Operations, at [email protected].

For more information or to apply, view this position on the University's Talent Center webpage