Saturday Teacher

About BEAM

The mission of BEAM is to create pathways for students from low-income and underserved communities to become scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and computer scientists. Led by staff with these same technical backgrounds, BEAM believes that pathways to STEM careers are created through community, individual support, and access to advanced work that typically lies outside most school curricula. We work to directly support students and to transition them to other supportive enrichment programs that enable their future success.

BEAM's model provides continuous support from middle school through college graduation, including intense academic summer programs for middle school students (after 6th and 7th grade), weekend classes and mentoring, and STEM-focused support through college. Our program includes not just access to learning advanced math but also support finding and applying to other opportunities, including support with college admissions and financial aid. In addition to our academic content, bringing students into community is a key part of our mission and all of our work is designed to support that goal.

BEAM has grown from a small summer program serving 17 students in the summer of 2011 to a year-round, national program, serving 420+ students at six summer program sites and 600+ students in year-round programming in New York City and Los Angeles this school year. In addition, our BEAM National pilot program now reaches over 500 elementary-aged students in seven different states, working to create a new nationwide pathway modeled on our local work.

With our strategic plan, our team has committed to transforming the organization from a successful startup to a more mature and scalable organization that can drive change across the country.

NYC Saturday Teacher for Algebra 1, Math Enrichment and Computer Science About BEAM

At BEAM, our mission is to create pathways for students from underserved communities to become scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and computer scientists. BEAM’s programs start with an intense academic summer camp for raising 7th and 8th graders, who then join the 10-year journey with BEAM, in the Pathway Program. This program includes Saturday enrichment classes, year-round mentoring and STEM-focused support from middle school to college and career.

Learn more at https://www.beammath.org/a-10-year-program.

 

About the role 

Join us by teaching in our Saturday Classes Program to support 8th to 12th grade mathematicians in the Pathway Program. We are looking for passionate educators who excel at creating classrooms where students are at the center of “doing the learning”—exploring patterns on the board, debating strategies, and justifying their reasoning to peers. Our ideal candidate has a love for understanding the “why” behind math (or programming),and enjoys guiding students through inquiry and productive struggle toward their own understanding of the subject. 

 

What you will teach at BEAM Saturdays classes

Saturday teachers have the choice to teach one or more of the categories below:

• Math Fundamentals classes - Algebra 1: Dive into key algebra topics like linear equations, exponential functions, and/or quadratics, exploring them through rigorous and creative contexts  like finance, math competitions, or real-world problems. The goal of this course is to support 8th grade students taking pre-algebra and algebra classes in their regular school time as they prepare for the NY Regents exam. 
• BEAM might provide some pre-made lesson plans and resources, however teachers are expected to internalize materials and complete their own lesson planning based on students’ needs. 
• Enrichment classes: these classes allow 8th-12th grade BEAM students to dig deeply into a mathematical topic that they won’t see in school (or a topic where room to explore deeper is left). They are called “Math Enrichment” to emphasize that these classes are not designed to supplement the math classes students are in, but rather to enrich students’ educational experience towards a career in STEM.
• Pure Math: explore abstract concepts like graph theory, number theory, combinatorics, tessellations, symmetries, math proofs and many more subjects. These classes focus on reasoning, proofs, and logical thinking. In a Deep Math & Proofs course, for example, students should write a novel, complete proof or analyze a system to give a complete description of that system. 
• Applied Math: connect math to real-world contexts, such as programming, circuits, voting theory, data patterns and statistics. These classes show how math can be used to explain and solve practical problems, helping students see its relevance in everyday life.
• Intro to coding and programming : Students should understand the basics of Python (preferably) and/or other programming language to be approved by BEAM and its applications via hands-on projects that promote critical thinking, and collaborating skills. No prior programming experience should be required from students.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Design and teach an engaging course based on a topic of your choice.

Upon hiring teachers will need to submit the following materials:

• A course overview for 10 - 12 weeks of classes with each class duration as 1.5 hour (algebra classes might be shorter). This overview needs to be shared with BEAM for approval in advance of the first Saturday class and adjusted based on BEAM’s feedback.
• Brief lesson overviews containing learning goals and student materials to be submitted to BEAM weekly on Wednesdays. Materials should be continuously adapted based on students’ needs in order to foster their engagement and understanding of the topics.

• Engage with BEAM through meetings and check-ins during the semester: Participate in onboarding and meetings/materials review sessions (2-4 paid hours per semester in person and/or over zoom) to align on BEAM’s expectations and goals, share classroom data and insights that support student growth. Maintain consistent communication with BEAM staff by email, text and/or phone calls.
• Help build a supportive community by fostering positive relationships with students, supporting their learning, engagement and love of math/STEM. Teachers are encouraged to eat lunch with students. 
• Evaluation and Feedback: teachers are responsible for providing regular feedback to students including at least one performance task per semester that needs to be reviewed and approved by BEAM staff. At the end of the program, faculty will write personalized feedback to each student that showcases their achievements and areas for future growth.

 

Qualifications: 

• Classroom Experience: At least 2 years of teaching math or equivalent STEM related career experience, preferably as the main instructor regularly leading a classroom.
• Familiarity with and/or Excitement for Math/STEM Topics: A solid grasp of middle and high school math concepts or the ability and enthusiasm to dive into them.
• Commitment to Equity and Student-Centered Teaching Approach where learners take the lead, exploring, questioning, and justifying their reasoning. You understand that productive struggle, collaboration, and inquiry are at the heart of building confident problem-solvers and you create an inclusive classroom where all students feel valued and capable.
• Growth Mindset: A reflective teaching practice and openness to feedback with the ability to thoughtfully implement feedback as an opportunity to enhance your practice.
• Effective Communication: The ability to connect with students, colleagues, and the broader community in ways that foster understanding, collaboration, and support.
• Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the US. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment Visa at this time.

Why You’ll Love Working Here…

• Small classes with 12-18 students that are interested in math!
• The ability to choose your own topic to teach.
• Free lunch on Saturdays

Hiring process:

• Initial application with resume, a lesson sample and short answer to 2-3 questions including a brief description of a topic you would like to teach.
• 30min interview where we can learn more about your approach to teaching and you can ask questions about the program
• After the interview, we may invite you to submit a course proposal. This is the most important component of your application. We will be doing the interview based on the course proposal you submitted and asking more in depth questions about it.

Details:

• Salary: $90 per hour of teaching time and for time in meetings with BEAM staff. Teachers are compensated per teaching time with no separate compensation for lesson planning. 
• Location: 132 W 60th St, New York, NY 10023
• Schedule: morning block: 10:30am to 12pm. Afternoon blocks: 1:15 pm - 2:45 pm or 1:30 -  3pm. Teachers may be hired for one or the other block or both.

 

Fall Program dates:

September 20th

September 27th

October 4th

October11th

October18th

October 25th

November 1st

November 8th

November 15th

November 22nd

December 6th

 

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Beyond a commitment to nondiscrimination, we are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY 

BEAM is an equal opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of an individual’s race (including traits historically associated with race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protected hairstyles, such as braids, locks and twists), ethnicity, religion (including clothing or facial hair worn in accordance with the religious tenets), color, sex, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, breastfeeding, gender (including actual or perceived sex, gender identity, and gender expression including a person’s actual or perceived gender-related self-image, appearance, behavior, expression, or other gender-related characteristic, regardless of the sex assigned to that person at birth), sexual orientation, sexual and reproductive health decisions, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, status as a veteran, active military service member, or uniform service member, marital or partnership status, familial status, caregiver status, age (18 or older), predisposing genetic characteristics, disability, creed, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, unemployment status, salary history, credit history, an individual’s status as having a known relationship or association with a member or members of a protected category, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. This policy applies to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, compensation, promotion, discipline, and termination. 

All personnel decisions will be made in accordance with the principles of equal employment opportunity and subject only to valid (job-related) requirements for employment, benefits, or promotional opportunities.