Teaching Assistant for BEAM Entry Points After-School Math Club

About BEAM

Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics (BEAM) creates pathways for students from low-income, low-access backgrounds to become scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and computer scientists.

We provide BEAM students the same access to high-quality preparation in STEM as their more affluent peers, and we invest deeply in our students' success, with programming from middle school through college graduation focused on joyous, exciting, and rigorous mathematics, building vibrant communities, and supporting students in key life transitions such as college admissions and financial aid.

BEAM has grown from a small summer program serving 17 students in the summer of 2011 to a year-round, national program, serving 450+ 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 around 1000 elementary-aged students in seven different states, working to create a new nationwide pathway modeled on our local work. We've seen our students' successes first-hand, and it's backed by data: a quasi-experimental study found that students who attended our 7th grade summer program were 1.3X as likely to declare a STEM major as a matched comparison group.

DESCRIPTION OF THE POSITION 

This upcoming academic year will be part of a transformative experience for students from low-income and historically marginalized communities with exceptional potential in math. Be a role model and mentor to your students as they begin their path to advanced mathematics. 

Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics (BEAM), a project of the Art of Problem Solving Initiative, Inc., is seeking teaching assistants for our pilot year of an after-school math club that gives 4th grade students an opportunity to develop their problem solving skills and have fun with math. 

What You’ll Do:

During BEAM’s Entry Points club, you’ll support a lead instructor and a group of 12-18 fourth graders as they tackle logic puzzles, math games, and challenge problems. Our club staff are supported by a full-time team who manage our school partnerships and provide curriculum materials. This is our pilot year, and we are actively refining the program based on what actually happens in the classroom.

As a Teaching Assistant, you will:

• Assist the lead club instructor with classroom management and implementing curriculum.
• Step into a mentorship role, building relationships with students and supporting their growth to develop a positive club environment for elementary students.
• Supervise students during club while the lead instructor pulls students aside for one-on-one or small group conversations and vice versa.
• Work with students on mathematics, both one-on-one and as a teaching assistant.
• Support student safety during club and the transitions before and after club.
• Provide feedback on clubs to Entry Points full-time staff.

Who You Are:

Teaching assistants must have experience with elementary-aged children in a group setting , be reliable, and take initiative. They should be able to balance helping the kids have fun while ensuring students meet behavior expectations. Ideally, our TAs will also be able to relate to our students and build positive connections through shared lived experiences.

All teaching assistants must be at least 18 years old by the beginning of the program . In addition, applicants must be authorized to work for an employer in the US . We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time. International students able to obtain CPT or OPT are welcome to apply. 

Exceptional candidates will also have:

• Strong conceptual understanding of 4-8th grade math, especially fractions and integer operations.
• Experience with math competitions and logic puzzles/games
• Prior experience with BEAM, either as a student or staff
• Classroom management skills
• Flexibility to go to at least 3 of our schools as needed

APPLICATION PROCESS

Our process, as described below, has approximately two stages and we anticipate the process lasting about 4-6 weeks in total with someone starting in the role as soon as possible, although we are flexible with the specific date. 

The initial step is to submit your application, including resumé and responses to a few short application questions, via our online portal. When your application is complete, we will follow up with next steps.

Next steps in our process will include a 45-minute virtual interview and reference checks. 

We will review applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must be able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation

• Constant (50%+) sitting/standing
• Frequent (26-50%) walking/bending

PAY & SCHEDULE

The hourly pay for this role is $19/hour. 

• Club times/locations: note that time ranges include a buffer before and after club for setup, dismissal, and cleanup. Actual club durations are between 90-120 minutes, depending on location.

You must be able to commute to one Tuesday location and one Wednesday location.

• Tuesdays 3:00-5:30pm, 1077 Remsen Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11236
• Tuesdays 3:00-6:00pm, 188 Rochester Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213
• Wednesdays 3:15-5:45pm, 625 W 133rd St, New York, NY 10027
• Wednesdays 1:30-4:00pm, 655 Parkside Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11226

In addition to hours worked in-person at schools, you will also be asked to provide feedback on clubs in virtual debrief meetings and/or in writing. The total estimated hours per week is 6-7 hours

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.