Curriculum Developer, Deep Thinking in Mathematics Major

DESCRIPTION OF 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.

Each major will be developed by a curriculum designer. This is an opportunity to develop something new and genuinely cutting-edge in enrichment education programs, designing every stage of the major from classes to capstone projects.

We expect this project to run from April 2026 through May 2028. During that time, the role is structured as a part-time role (estimated 15–20 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 the three years, 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.

DESCRIPTION OF THE TEAM/DEPARTMENT

The team of part-time curriculum developers will be part of BEAM's Curriculum and Design Team. That team has two full-time staff members: a Manager, Curriculum & Design, and a Coordinator, Curriculum & Design. Both will work to support the design of outstanding materials that can be implemented across BEAM's programs.

Although each major will be led by one designer, this is a highly collaborative role and you will be part of a team of designers including two 8th grade courses and three high school majors. The team will meet weekly over video for group brainstorming and collective problem solving. There may be opportunities for in-person gatherings and working together as well. The rest of the Curriculum & Design Team, as well as BEAM's Founder and CEO, will be part of the design process and support with brainstorming and refining ideas to help them succeed.

In addition to that team, an advisory board for each major will support your work with deep subject matter expertise from researchers and industry experts. Additionally, you will work with and support teachers directly implementing the materials in their first launch.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRICULUM TO BE DEVELOPED

This role is being hired to develop our "Deep Thinking in Mathematics" major. All BEAM courses are designed for students to develop strong skills in mathematical problem solving and reasoning; this major additionally gives students the opportunity to develop skills in more abstract mathematics and to understand the field at a greater level of depth.

The major will have three courses, each lasting for one semester with 24 hours of class time each. Courses are designed to build on one-another and connect into a coherent storyline. As a rough outline, here is a likely sequence of topics:

• Number Theory
• Linear Algebra
• Group Theory (or other Abstract Algebra)

The courses are not designed to be equivalent to college courses, and are not intended to be comprehensive in their subject. Instead, each course will be narrowly designed to prepare students for their capstone projects. They'll highlight a few ideas or results that give students a greater depth of understanding and paint what the field is like. (For example, the Number Theory course might focus on modular arithmetic and Fermat's Little Theorem.) That focus on key results—rather than covering a broad subject—allows us to foster intellectual excitement, spending less time building up foundations and instead helping students to grasp the most interesting punchlines while still developing the topic in a rigorous way.

Finally, the major will culminate in capstone projects. Examples of capstone projects that students might complete include:

• The BEAM research workshop, a program for students to do math research while in high school
• Synthesizing several sources into an expository paper, video, or course about a field of mathematics, for example about an application of mathematics (such as group theory in chemistry or physics)
• Programming a computer to explore solutions to a mathematical problem
• Implementing an application of mathematics, such as public-key encryption or AI utilizing linear algebra
• Modeling the Rubik's cube or some similar puzzle using abstract algebra

SUPERVISION

Each curriculum developer will be supervised by the Manager, Curriculum and Design, who will also review work and support developing materials that can be implemented by multiple instructors. The team will also work directly with the Founder & CEO, to support the design of exceptional materials that align with BEAM's vision and goals.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Please note that exact responsibilities will vary by stage of the project. The percentages reflected below reflect our good faith estimate of overall time allocation over the multi-year project. BEAM does have available a more detailed accounting of expected work by project phase to be provided to all new hires. 

Curriculum Writing (65%)

• Develop a roadmap for the Deep Thinking in Mathematics major
• Draft capstone projects
• Outline the full course sequence
• 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

Teaching and Observations (15%)

• Directly teach each of the classes in its initial launch
• Observe other instructors teaching the class and debrief with them to incorporate feedback

Supporting Instruction (10%)

• Determine hiring needs for instructors within the major, 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 (10%)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This work primarily involves typing at a computer. In addition, it involves teaching classes which may involve considerable standing and walking.

QUALIFICATIONS

We understand that there are many paths to acquiring experience and therefore welcome candidates from diverse and nontraditional backgrounds for this role who have demonstrated equivalent transferable skills to carry out the major duties outlined in this job description. 

Knowledge 

• Deep knowledge of mathematics at an advanced undergraduate or graduate level. Comfort with proofs as the language of mathematics and the layered abstraction of the fields of mathematics.
• Some experience with mathematical research in either academia or industry, at least to the point of having read and understood some research papers and the ability to navigate mathematics as discussed by mathematicians.
• Knowledge of practices of enrichment teaching and different activities and classroom approaches that are effective for teaching in enrichment contexts.

Skills and Abilities 

• Strong pedagogical skills, especially for teaching high 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.

Required Experience

• 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.

Preferred Education and Experience 

• 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.
• Experience supporting students in significant independent projects (such as research projects).
• A deep understanding of applications of the mathematical topics in this major. We are especially interested in experience with linear algebra as it is applied in AI, but in general are looking for people who can go from the abstract to concrete applications.
• 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.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Our process, as described below, has approximately four stages and we anticipate the process lasting about 4-6 weeks in total. Our anticipated start date is April 1.

The initial step is to submit your application, including resumé and responses to a few short application questions.

We will invite successful candidates to short screening interviews and submission of a sample of past classroom materials that you've developed. After that, candidates will advance to two final interviews: one virtually and one in-person to give a short teaching sample on a specific topic. We expect that the final step will be reference checks. 

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

PAY AND WORK SCHEDULE

The salary for this position is $52,000 annually, based on an expected commitment of approximately 15-20 hours per week. This reflects BEAM's good faith estimate of the compensation for this role based on the anticipated scope and hours. This is a part-time, non-exempt position and the staff member in this role will need to track hours by completing weekly timesheets. Overtime is paid in accordance with applicable federal, state and local law. 

Flexible hours, with some specific time requirements:

• Virtual meetings Fridays 2pm–5pm Eastern Time (scheduled at least a week ahead of time).
• Occasional 1:1 meetings during business hours, with flexible timing.
• Starting in fall 2026, teaching in-person on Saturday morning/afternoon (up to 20 weeks/year)
• Up to twice per semester, travel to the other of NYC/LA to observe their class being taught by another instructor local to that city.