Curriculum Developer, Programming

Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics (BEAM)

About The Position

While our middle school programming focuses on summers, during 8th–12th grade, BEAM offers weekend classes year-round so that students can go deeper in their studies and stay in community with one-another. In Fall 2026, we're launching an ambitious revisioning of that programming centered on the opportunity for our 9th grade students to declare majors. Each major will allow students to go deeper and more in-depth on a topic that school does not cover. Engaging, authentic classes will build towards a capstone project in 11th grade which will be a significant piece of work in the field. Thus, they'll be able to develop independence in their studies, and to experience what it "really feels like" to engage with cutting-edge work. During 8th grade, students will take two courses to prepare them for success in the majors. One course will be based in enrichment mathematics (such as combinatorics, number theory, etc.), bringing together foundational problem solving and reasoning skills for students. The second course will be in programming, which is likely to be relevant across the different majors. We expect this project to run from June 2026 through December 2026. During that time, the role is structured as a part-time role (estimated 13–17 hours/week) that can fit around other obligations, providing considerable flexibility to make your own hours (within certain requirements; see below). At the end of December, although the project will be complete, there are likely to be additional opportunities to apply for other roles and continue the work with BEAM, for example by designing other curricula, leading professional development for our instructors, or perhaps in a full-time mathematical role. This role is being hired to develop an 8th grade programming course. That course is designed to engage students with programming at a deep level, preparing students for programming projects as part of their future major while also building excitement and fun around solving interesting computer science problems. It's an opportunity for students to see the potential power of computer-based approaches to problem solving and to leverage a new tool to greatly increase what they can accomplish. How you structure and design the course to make it exciting is up to you, giving you the flexibility to design a great experience. We are ultimately looking for a focus that includes both working with data (which is likely to be important in students' majors) as well as solving mathematical problems (such as Project Euler). We expect the course will also touch on algorithms and data structures (although there won't really be time to go into depth on those topics). We are open to different programming languages, although Python is likely a good fit. In general, this will be an enrichment course and will not be equivalent to a college course or comprehensive in its subject. Instead, we're empowering students, picking out some aspects of programming that will set them up with a basis for future learning. In total, the course will have 24 hours of class time, designed to run in eight 3-hour sessions or sixteen 1.5-hour sessions.

Requirements

Strong knowledge of computer science at an advanced undergraduate or graduate level, including more mathematical topics such as algorithms and data structures. Experience solving mathematical problems such as analyzing data sets or Project Euler-style problems.
Knowledge of practices of enrichment teaching and different activities and classroom approaches that are effective for teaching in enrichment contexts.
Strong pedagogical skills, especially for teaching middle school students. Able to develop exciting and engaging classes that support both rigor and depth. Examples of skills include: designing courses that structure material well for students to learn at a deep level, creating activities that promote active and deeper thinking in a classroom, and structuring classes to have a compelling arc and story to them.
Exceptional writing skills. Able to state and write solutions for problems with precise language and in ways that are engaging and energizing. Able to create clear and compelling materials for other instructors, with clear course goals and lesson plans.
The ability to plan towards a goal and implement independently. Good at tracking larger projects and completing them on-time.
Strong collaboration skills.
At least three years of teaching experience, preferably in contexts outside of the school curriculum.
At least one prior experience creating a course independently rather than teaching from a prescribed curriculum.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in programs that promote educational equity or teaching students from historically marginalized backgrounds. A strong understanding of diverse student backgrounds and needs, and how to design systems to thoughtfully support student needs. Specific knowledge of the barriers that low-income and minority students may encounter.
Experience with educational enrichment programs that support students to do more advanced work, especially at the middle school level.
Experience with programming in professional contexts, so that materials can be designed in a way that ties in to industry best practices.
Experience writing curriculum for other instructors to use.
Experience with STEM education and opportunities at the collegiate level or beyond, e.g. earned degrees, teaching, etc.

Responsibilities

Develop learning goals and the overall topic and arc of the class
Outline the full course
Develop all course materials so that the courses can be successfully implemented by program instructors
Revise materials based on the first run and feedback from instructors
Directly teach the class in its initial launch
Observe other instructors teaching the class and debrief with them to incorporate feedback
Determine hiring needs for instructors, and support hiring
Provide guidance and support to instructors implementing the course material
Other work as needed to support the successful launch of our new academic programming