Alumna Ruthi Hortsch (UM BA ’12, MIT PhD ’17), from BEAM, wrote trying to recruit you!
Open Summer Positions at Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics (BEAM)
-
Faculty positions (for teachers, professors, and professionals able to work during the summer)
-
Junior Faculty positions (for graduate students and early career teachers)
-
Counselor/TA positions (for undergraduate students and recent graduates)
This summer, change the lives of underserved students with exceptional potential in math: teach them what mathematics really is.
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 design and 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 2021, we will run two programs: BEAM Summer Away and BEAM Discovery. Due to COVID-19, we do not yet know whether we will be running our programs for the Summer of 2021 in person or virtually; we will commit to one or the other by April 30, but we are hopeful that we might know earlier.
BEAM Summer Away:
Compensation: $5,000 (or $3,300 for junior faculty such as graduate students or early-career teachers) for the time that the program runs. If the program is run virtually and you have technology you need to participate, we will lend you some. If the program is run in person we will also provide room, board, and a transportation stipend.
Location: If the programs are run in a virtual setting, faculty will work remotely. If the programs are run in person, they will take place on college campuses; in previous years at Bard College and Union College, both located a few hours out of NYC, and Harvey Mudd College in Southern California. Faculty will live on campus. Our students, all from high-poverty communities in New York City and Los Angeles, will be discovering a new environment in these idyllic settings.
Program dates:
- If the program runs virtually, the CA dates will be June 16 to July 20th, 2021.
- If the program runs virtually, the NY dates will be June 30th August 3rd, 2021.
- If programs run in person, you will work 4 weeks (to be determined), but within the dates given for each program.
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 Strategies for Mathematical Thinking or Solving Big Problems.
BEAM Discovery:
- Compensation: $2,200-$5,600 for six weeks depending on course load (part-time positions available). If the program is run virtually and you have technology you need to participate, we will lend you some.
- Location: If the programs are run in a virtual setting, faculty will work remotely. If the programs run in person they will take place in New York City and Los Angeles.
Programs Dates:
- LA Dates: June 16 (14th for Junior Faculty) to July 27, 2021
- NYC Dates: July 30 (28th for Junior Faculty) to August 9, 2021
BEAM Discovery teachers receive guidance to plan courses or use prepackaged courses in one or two of the following:
- 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 without relying on memorized procedures.
-
Creative Problem Solving 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 other extracurricular outreach programs (such as math summer programs or math circles, MATHCOUNTS, programming workshops, or similar) are also a plus. 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: Counselor/TA Positions
This summer, change the lives of middle school students from underserved backgrounds with exceptional talent in math.
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 2021, we will run two programs: BEAM Summer Away for 8th graders (residential when run in person) and BEAM Discovery for 7th graders (day camp when in person).
Covid-19 Note: We do not yet know whether we will be running the program in person or virtually; we will commit to one or the other by April 30, but we are hopeful that we might know earlier.
If in person, 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. If virtual, staff can join us from anywhere; we can help lend technology needed to counselor and TA.
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. 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.
You may indicate in the application below if you would like to be considered for both Los Angeles and New York programs; there is no need to submit two separate applications.
BEAM Summer Away (Residential if in-person):
- Compensation: If in-person, $2,600 for four weeks, plus room, board, and a transportation stipend. $3300 for five weeks if we run online. If the program is run virtually and you have technology you need to participate, we will lend you some.
- NY Locations: TBD Colleges in Upstate NY
- NY Dates: Month of July (add a week if we run online)
- CA Location: TBA college campus in Southern California
- CA Dates: mid-June to mid July (add a week if we run online)
BEAM Discovery (Non-residential Program)
- Compensation: $3,840 for six weeks. If we run in person, this includes breakfast/lunch on weekdays, an unlimited MetroCard at the NYC program. If the program is run virtually and you have technology you need to participate, we will lend you some.
- Location: Los Angeles, New York City
- LA Dates: June 16 to July 27, 2021
- NYC Dates: June 30 to August 10, 2021
- Deadline: rolling, but please apply by March 11, 2021 for full consideration.
- For more information and program details, please visit https://www.beammath.org/counselor-info/
Email us with questions at summer-jobs@beammath.org
—
