Academic Director, BEAM Discovery

BEAM for Summer Roles•Los Angeles, NY

3h•Onsite

About The Position

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. About the role Academic Director, BEAM Discovery About BEAM Role Overview The Academic Director is the instructional leader for a BEAM site, responsible for ensuring high-quality, student-centered math instruction and supporting faculty growth. BEAM Discovery is the first step in BEAM’s 10-year Pathway Program, offering students an engaging introduction to advanced mathematical thinking in a supportive, inquiry-driven environment. As Academic Director, you will guide the academic vision for your campus, support faculty growth, and ensure that BEAM’s inquiry-based, student-centered math instruction comes to life every day. Primary Responsibilities: Ensure high-quality, inquiry-based math instruction aligned with BEAM’s mission and values. Coach, support, and evaluate faculty, including Junior and Senior Faculty. Facilitate collaboration spaces that promote shared learning and instructional coherence. Align academic goals with site operations in partnership with site leadership. The Academic Director partners closely with the Site Director, Associate Site Director, Director of Student Life, and Guidance Counselor as part of a cohesive leadership team. While the primary focus is academic excellence and faculty development, the role also supports site-wide operations as needed to ensure a strong student experience.

Requirements

At least 2 years as Academic Dean or 4+ years in an instructional leadership role.
Strong understanding of student-centered, inquiry-based math instruction.
Demonstrated experience mentoring educators or leading professional development.
Ability to guide teams, manage projects, and foster collaborative staff culture.
Deep belief in inclusive learning environments where all students feel capable and valued.
Ability to communicate clearly with faculty, staff, students, and families.
Ability to make thoughtful decisions in real-time and support faculty through challenges.
Skilled at managing schedules, systems, and multiple responsibilities simultaneously.
Comfort with middle school enrichment math and supporting faculty in exploring deep math topics.
Flexibility to adjust plans based on feedback, student needs, and evolving program realities.

Nice To Haves

Worked with middle school and/or high school students.

Responsibilities

Ensure high-quality, inquiry-based math instruction aligned with BEAM’s mission and values.
Coach, support, and evaluate faculty, including Junior and Senior Faculty.
Facilitate collaboration spaces that promote shared learning and instructional coherence.
Align academic goals with site operations in partnership with site leadership.
Complete BEAM leadership and faculty coaching training.
Review the Site Leadership Handbook and program expectations.
Support final selection and onboarding of faculty.
Contribute to student course assignment processes.
Participate in virtual leadership meetings, synchronous faculty training, and the virtual course planning retreat.
Align with leadership on roles, academic expectations, and camp-wide norms; help plan team building and staff culture activities; ensure classroom spaces, materials, and logistics are ready.
Lead all faculty-specific training (academic modules, instructional expectations); facilitate faculty course preparation, lesson adaptation, and problem-solving planning; assign and review any academic training tasks; confirm I-9 and onboarding compliance for faculty.
Conduct at least three observation and feedback cycles for each faculty member.
Provide ongoing coaching and support tailored to each teacher’s needs.
Co-facilitate twice-weekly collaboration spaces with Senior Faculty focused on lesson planning, content understanding, and student-centered pedagogy.
Guide faculty in implementing Open Math Time best practices.
Provide and document formal summative evaluations for faculty.
Support new faculty in understanding and implementing BEAM’s instructional philosophy.
Serve as the primary bridge between faculty and the leadership team regarding academic needs.
Participate in daily or weekly leadership meetings.
Communicate academic updates, challenges, and resource needs.
Troubleshoot scheduling or classroom logistics in partnership with leadership.
Provide emergency instructional coverage if needed.
Ensure classrooms reflect BEAM’s commitment to inquiry, belonging, and student ownership.
Support faculty in implementing student engagement strategies and any necessary accommodations.
Address escalated classroom-based behavior concerns.
Model positive academic and social leadership across the site.
Manage petty cash, MetroCards, and classroom supply needs.
Support planning and staffing for field trips.
Supervise Open Math Time and other academic block structures.
Help coordinate or lead math circles or other enrichment events.
Participate in selected all staff responsibilities as aligned with leadership norms.
Complete all faculty evaluations and conduct 1-to-1 debrief conversations.
Support the Site Director in completing the end-of-camp checklist.
Contribute academic insights to BEAM’s program-wide step back meeting.