Faculty BEAM Discovery
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
BEAM Discovery Faculty
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 a faculty member, you will help students discover powerful mathematical ideas, build confidence, and see themselves as mathematicians.
Learn more about our 10-year program.
What Our Classrooms Look Like
Our classrooms are student-centered, lively, and discussion-rich. Students explore patterns, debate conjectures, justify their reasoning, and collaborate on open-ended problems. Teachers guide thinking through purposeful questions, models, and structures that promote productive struggle. We affirm students’ strengths and identities and help them grow as confident, capable problem solvers.
The Courses You Will Teach
Faculty teach one or two courses daily (morning and/or afternoon) using adaptable lesson materials provided by BEAM.
Morning Classes
- Logical Reasoning: Students build logical thinking, casework, and methodical problem-solving through puzzles (e.g., liars-and-truthtellers, KenKen, Sudoku).
- Math Fundamentals: Students revisit foundational ideas (like fractions, exponents, and geometry) with depth and creativity, uncovering the underlying mathematical “why.”
Afternoon Classes
- Creative Problem Solving: Students dive into rich contest-style problems in topics like combinatorics or geometry, learning to think flexibly and creatively.
- Applied Mathematics: Students explore how math connects to the real world through topics such as programming, biology, astronomy, or voting theory.
(New faculty use BEAM provided lessons. Returning faculty may propose and teach original courses.)
Your Role & Responsibilities
We are looking for math and STEM educators who love working with middle schoolers and are excited to teach in a collaborative, inquiry-driven environment. This role focuses on engaging students in rich mathematical thinking, supporting their growth as confident problem solvers, and partnering closely with fellow faculty and program leadership.
Instruction & Lesson Preparation
- Teach one morning and/or one afternoon class daily using provided lesson materials.
- Prepare daily lesson plans, problem solutions, and materials in advance.
- Adapt instruction for the specific learners in your classroom.
- Incorporate practices that support multilingual learners using visuals, structured reasoning, and language-accessible explanations.
- Maintain pacing expectations and collaborate with coaches when adjustments are needed.
Classroom Leadership
- Establish and maintain classroom norms and routines that promote student inquiry, persistence, and collaboration.
- Use restorative, respectful redirection aligned with BEAM’s behavior expectations.
- Partner with TAs during class for student support, behavior management, and transitions.
- Apply the BEAM behavior escalation process and involve leadership when needed.
Collaboration & Coaching
- Participate in coaching cycles including observations, debrief meetings, and implementing feedback.
- Attend academic collaboration sessions to align on pacing, goals, and instructional priorities.
- Work closely with TAs, Academic Director, and faculty peers to create a coherent and supportive learning environment.
Additional Responsibilities
- Problem Solving Sessions: Lead one or two daily problem-solving blocks.
- Student Support: Identify academic or social-emotional concerns and communicate them to the appropriate leadership team member following documentation protocols.
- Community & Camp Life: Participate in daily camp life, including activities, shared meals, supervising/leading relays (at least 3x/week), and attending weekly staff meetings. Provide emergency coverage for supervising students as needed.
- Training & Wrap Up: Attend all pre-camp training, complete all onboarding requirements, and end-of-camp wrap-up/feedback sessions.
What You Bring
- Classroom Leadership Experience: At least three years of experience as a primary instructor in schools, enrichment programs, or similar environments.
- Preferred Experience: Worked with middle school and/or high school students.
- Commitment to Equity: Dedication to creating inclusive, affirming, rigorous classrooms where students discover joy and confidence in mathematics.
- Student-Centered Teaching Experience: Experience leading inquiry-based lessons and embracing productive struggle and collaborative problem-solving.
- Familiarity With Middle School Mathematics: Strong grasp of Discovery course mathematics or the ability and enthusiasm to learn the material.
- Growth Mindset: Openness to feedback and willingness to implement coaching.
- Clear and Compassionate Communication: Ability to collaborate effectively with staff and build trusting relationships with students.
Employment Requirements
- Authorized to work for any employer in the US (International graduate students eligible for CPT or OPT are encouraged to apply).
- Ability to work on-site in the camp city (NYC or LA). BEAM does not cover room and board.
Exceptional Candidates Will Also Have
- Experience teaching enrichment math or science.
- Experience working with students from low-income or historically marginalized communities.
- Experience supporting multilingual learners.
Why You'll Love Working Here
- Free lunch every day during camp.
- Small classes with 15 students and 2–3 adults.
- Engaging lesson plans with fun puzzles and deep math to inspire students.
- Professional development before camp to set you up for success.
- A collaborative, supportive team of educators and staff.
- 2–4 staff dinners during camp to relax, connect, and celebrate.
Details and Compensation
Compensation is the same regardless of location, based on the time commitment for the program duration:
- Full-time: $6,500
- Part-time: $3,250
|
Program Location |
Dates |
|
Los Angeles (Central LA Location) |
June 16 - July 28, 2026 |
|
New York City (New Design High School & Uptown) |
June 30 - August 11, 2026 |
- LA Dates: Pre-camp Training (06/16-06/18), Camp (06/22-07/24), Wrap-up (07/27-07/28)
- NYC Dates: Pre-camp Training (06/30-07/02), Camp (07/06-08/07), Wrap-up (08/10-08/11)
- Full-time hours: 9:00 AM-3:30 pm.
- Part-time hours: Morning (9 AM–12:30 PM) or Afternoon (Noon–3:30 PM).
- Note: All Staff Pre-camp and Wrap-Up Days are full-day commitments (9:00 AM to 4:00 PM), even for part-time staff.
Application Process
- First Round Interview
- Project
- Final Interview
- Reference checks & offer!
For more information and to apply, please contact us at Bruce@beammath.org.
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.