JOB TITLE: SUMMER DRONE CAMP INSTRUCTOR
LOCATION: TAPPAN MIDDLE SCHOOL
DATES: JULY 22ND-25TH (42 HOURS TOTAL) | PREP PERIOD: JUNE 30
SALARY: AAEA - SALARY SCHEDULE
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP: CTE DIRECTOR / SUMMER PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR / OSE ADMINISTRATOR
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The following is a list of qualifications for the position, any one of which may be waived by the Board in exercising its prerogative to determine qualifications.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Valid Michigan Teaching Certificate with endorsement in Technology Education, Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related STEM/STEAM field.
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Education, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline; Master's degree preferred.
- Minimum of three (3) years of classroom teaching experience at the middle or high school level, with demonstrated integration of technology, engineering design principles, and hands-on project-based learning.
- Documented hands-on experience building, programming, configuring, and flying Emax brand drones, including both Ready-to-Fly (RTF) and custom-built platforms.
- Demonstrated proficiency with Betaflight flight controller firmware, including CLI configuration, PID tuning, rate profiles, and motor output mapping.
- Experience designing, facilitating, and officiating drone soccer competitions using dedicated drone soccer balls/frames and structured competition formats.
- Experience programming drone autonomous behaviors and flight modes, including rate mode, angle mode, and GPS-assisted flight where applicable.
- Demonstrated ability to teach safe drone operation practices, pre-flight checklists, airspace awareness, and FAA recreational flight guidelines to middle school-aged students.
- Experience managing a drone fleet in an educational setting, including maintenance, battery management, crash repair, and parts inventory.
- Experience integrating FPV (First Person View) goggles, cameras, and video transmitter systems into instructional drone activities.
- Documented experience incorporating drone technology as a standards-aligned STEM learning tool within a school or structured youth program setting.
- Experience working with students of diverse academic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, with a demonstrated commitment to broadening access to aviation and drone technology for underrepresented populations, including young women.
- Demonstrated experience developing and presenting STEM/technology programs to student and educator audiences.
- Grant writing experience or demonstrated ability to secure external funding for STEM, technology, or drone programming preferred.
- Must be able to perform academic and technical work at the middle and secondary school levels.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
- Plan, design, and deliver an engaging, rigorous Summer Drone Camp curriculum that introduces students to drone technology, FPV flight, engineering design, and competitive drone soccer.
- Provide direct instruction in drone assembly and component identification, including motors, ESCs, flight controllers, frames, propellers, and battery systems using Emax drone platforms.
- Teach students to configure and tune Emax drones using Betaflight software, including basic PID tuning concepts, flight mode selection, and failsafe setup.
- Introduce and facilitate drone soccer competition format, including rules, strategy, piloting skills, and structured match play.
- Teach safe drone operation practices, FAA recreational guidelines, pre-flight protocols, and responsible airspace awareness appropriate for middle school-aged students.
- Manage, maintain, and repair the drone fleet throughout the camp, including battery charging, prop replacement, and minor crash repairs.
- Supervise all drone flight activities and enforce strict safety protocols to ensure the well-being of all campers, staff, and equipment.
- Facilitate hands-on engineering challenges that reinforce drone technology concepts through building, testing, and iterative redesign.
- Manage classroom environment and maintain student discipline consistent with district policies.
- Supervise and direct Teacher Assistant staff; coordinate and delegate instructional support responsibilities.
- Prepare, organize, and maintain all instructional materials, tools, hardware, and technology required for camp programming.
- Track and maintain student attendance records and communicate regularly with the Summer Program Administrator.
- Communicate clearly and professionally with students, parents, staff, and administrators both orally and in writing.
- Support recruitment and outreach for camp participation, with emphasis on broadening access for underrepresented groups.
- Regular and reliable attendance throughout the full camp preparation and instruction period.
- Other duties as assigned by the Summer Program Administrator
LANGUAGE SKILLS
- Read, write, and comprehend technical documentation including drone firmware release notes, hardware manuals, and curriculum materials.
- Effectively present complex technical information � including drone configuration, flight physics, and competition rules � to middle school students, parents, and administrators.
- Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing; ability to translate drone and engineering concepts for diverse audiences with varying prior knowledge.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
- Apply arithmetic, ratio, and basic physics concepts in the context of drone flight, including thrust-to-weight ratios, battery capacity calculations, and motor kV ratings.
- Interpret and apply numerical data from Betaflight blackbox logs and sensor outputs to inform PID tuning decisions.
- Perform standard arithmetic and unit conversions in all standard and metric units.
REASONING ABILITY
- Apply advanced technical problem-solving skills to diagnose and resolve hardware and software issues with Emax drone platforms in real time during camp sessions.
- Design and adapt curriculum and competition formats in real time to meet the varied skill levels and learning needs of student campers.
- Exercise independent professional judgment in managing complex, safety-critical drone flight environments with student participants.
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Demonstrated ability to build and sustain effective working relationships with students, families, staff, and the broader school community.
- Experience working with students and families of diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Perform all duties with awareness of and in full compliance with district requirements and Board of Education policies.
- Ability to independently manage program logistics for a multi-day, multi-cohort drone camp environment including equipment inventory, safety compliance, and flight scheduling.
- Familiarity with competitive drone sport formats, including drone soccer, drag racing, and freestyle, and ability to adapt competition frameworks for middle school participants.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, talk, and hear. The employee may be required to bend, kneel, or crouch when assisting students with drone assembly and repair activities. The employee may occasionally push, carry, or lift up to 50 lbs, such as cases of drone equipment, batteries, and tools. The employee is directly responsible for the safety, well-being, and work output of students. Specific vision abilities required include close vision for reviewing technical components and firmware interfaces and the ability to monitor student drone flight activities across an indoor or outdoor flight space.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud, consistent with an active drone flight and build environment. The employee is frequently required to interact with students, staff, and parents and is directly responsible for the safety, well-being, and learning outcomes of all camp participants. The position may require work in both indoor classroom/workshop settings and outdoor or gymnasium drone flight spaces. Ann Arbor Public Schools is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Ann Arbor Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or any other legally protected status. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
ADA STATEMENT
Ann Arbor Public Schools complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applications and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the Human Resources department at hr_info@a2schools.org.
METHOD OF APPLICATION:
All applicants must complete the online application at a2schools.org >> District Links >> Job Postings