Interesting and Meaningful Summer Teaching in NYC or LA

“This summer, change the lives of underserved students with exceptional potential in math”
Ruthi Hortsch (BS UM, 2012) wrote to recruit Michigan math graduate students, post-docs and faculty to teach math this summer for BEAM (Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics),  an enrichment program for underserved urban youth. After Michigan, Ruthi wrote her PhD in number theory at MIT in 2016, and then went directly into social justice work, joining BEAM as their senior program manager. Several Michigan folks have enjoyed working for BEAM in recent years, including post-doc Caleb Ashley and MLB student Emilee Cardin. Ruthi knows she can find great people in our department! This is a good opportunity for those interested in a career in teaching, in DEI, or in social justice work, as well as for anyone who loves teaching and would like to be in the NYC or LA area.

Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics: Summer Faculty Positions
Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics (BEAM), a project of the Art of Problem Solving Initiative, Inc., is seeking instructors for a program that gives everyone a chance to excel in mathematics. Faculty teach their own courses to bright middle school students from low-income and historically marginalized communities. Ideal faculty candidates include college or university professors with strong teaching backgrounds, and middle or high school teachers with strong mathematics backgrounds. Junior faculty positions are also available for graduate students and early career teachers, and we encourage applications from other professionals with an interest in math education.
During summer 2020, we will run residential programs at college campus in upstate New York and Southern California, and day programs in New York City and Los Angeles.
Residential Program (BEAM Summer Away):
Compensation: $5,000 for four weeks (or $3,300 for junior faculty such as graduate students or early-career teachers), plus room, board, and a transportation stipend.
Location: Bard College and Union College, both located a few hours out of NYC, and Harvey Mudd College in Southern California. Our students, all from low-income and historically marginalized communities in New York City and Los Angeles, will be discovering a new environment in these idyllic settings.
CA Dates: June 18 to July 15, 2020
NY Dates: July 2 to July 29, 2020
Courses at BEAM Summer Away can be:
  • Pure math such as number theory, combinatorics, graph theory, or logic;
  • Applied math such as circuit design, programming, astrophysics, or genetics; or
  • Problem solving, either Math Team Strategies or Solving Big Problems.
Non-residential Program (BEAM Discovery):
Compensation: $2,200-$5,600 for six weeks depending on course load (part-time positions available).
Location: Los Angeles, New York City
LA Dates: June 17 to July 28, 2020
NYC Dates: July 1 to August 11, 2020
BEAM Discovery Faculty teach one or two classes for all 5 weeks. For each of them, you can either apply to teach one of our pre-packaged courses or create their own curriculum for a class in one of the following categories:
  • Logical Reasoning introduces logical reasoning including deductive logic, case analysis, working methodically, and proof by contradiction.
  • Math Fundamentals leads students to understand mathematics from school on a deeper, more conceptual level.
  • Math Team Strategies exposes students to problems that require creativity, primarily through math contest problems.
  • Applied Math introduces students to different areas of work related to mathematics. Examples include programming, astronomy, mathematical biology (such as predator and prey models, or genetics), or estimation and Fermi problems.
For both:
We’ve found that the community of teachers that we create, bringing together instructors from across many different academic areas, is one of the program’s strengths and provides a great experience for all participants.
Good candidates will work well on a close-knit team and will be able to bring unique curriculum perspectives to the program. Experience with students from low-income or historically marginalized backgrounds or at Title 1 schools is a plus, as is experience with other extracurricular outreach programs (such as math summer programs or math circles, MATHCOUNTS, programming workshops, or similar). We will provide mentorship, textbooks, and other resources as needed.
This is a unique opportunity to influence the lives of young students. Our students have tremendous potential and a strong ability for abstract reasoning, but because of their schools and backgrounds they often have not had the same training as more affluent peers. They are devoted, doing many hours of math each day (and loving it). We hope that you will join us (and them)!
For more information and the application, contact us at summer-jobs@beammath.org or visit our website at www.beammath.org/jobs.

Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics: Summer Counselor/Teaching Assistant Positions (residential and non-residential)

This summer, change the lives of talented middle school students from underserved backgrounds.

Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics (BEAM), a project of the Art of Problem Solving Initiative, Inc., is seeking undergraduate students or recent graduates to be counselors and teaching assistants for a summer program that gives everyone a chance to excel in mathematics. During summer 2020, we will run residential programs on college campuses in Upstate New York and Southern California, and day programs in New York City and Los Angeles.

At both programs, you’ll create a vibrant social experience for kids who are discovering for the first time that there are other people who like doing mathematics; you’ll also be a TA for classes on topics such as number theory, combinatorics, problem solving, and computer science. At our residential program, counselors will also live with the students in the campus dorms. Be a role model and guide for students who are just beginning to set their educational path!

Counselors must be strong mathematically, be reliable, and take initiative. They should be charismatic and able to help the kids have fun. All counselors must be at least 18 years old by the beginning of the program.

Residential Program (BEAM Summer Away):
Compensation: $2,600 for four weeks, plus room, board, and a transportation stipend.
Locations: Bard College (NY), Union College (NY), Harvey Mudd College (CA)
CA Dates: June 18 to July 15, 2020
NY Dates: July 2 to July 29, 2020

Non-residential Program (BEAM Discovery):

Compensation: $3,840 for six weeks, breakfast/lunch on weekdays, an unlimited MetroCard at the NYC program
Location: New York City, Los Angeles
LA Dates: June 17 to July 28, 2020
NYC Dates: July 1 to August 11, 2020

Deadline: rolling, but please apply by February 27, 2020 for full consideration.

For more information and the application, please visit: https://www.beammath.org/counselor-info/  

By Karen E Smith

Professor of Mathematics Associate Chair for Gradate Studies