CS Facilitator
Description
About SMASH and Our Philosophy:
Founded in 2001, SMASH is an Oakland-based nonprofit organization that operates SMASH Academy, a year-round STEM-focused program that serves underrepresented high school students. In tandem, SMASH conducts research examining inequity in access and opportunity across K-12, higher education, and workplace contexts in order to improve the outcomes for underrepresented students in STEM fields.
SMASH Academy is a three-year STEM residential academic acceleration program for motivated, high school students from underrepresented populations (African-American, Latinx/Hispanic, Southeast Asian and/or Pacific Islander, and Native American), who have demonstrated an aptitude for science and math. During the summer component, SMASH provides accelerated classes rooted in solving real-world problems and exposure to STEM fields; the academic rigor is alloyed with a strong community experience in residential dorms to introduce our scholars to a university environment. During the academic year, SMASH provides computer science courses, scholarship workshops, college counseling, community events and further exposure to STEM opportunities.
About Create and Learn:
As a CS Facilitator you will be working with the Create and Learn platform. Create and Learn offers top quality live online Computer Science classes for thousands of students all around the world, grades 2 through 9. More than just teaching children to code, its cutting-edge curriculum delivers on a wide spectrum of computer science education, is ready to use and uniquely designed by technology experts from Google, Apple, and more.
SMASH will be operating a 3-week Virtual Academy model for Summer 2023.
All scholars and staff will be required to comply with the SMASH vaccine mandate for SMASH Academy in-person activities. However, vaccine exemptions will be considered based on medical exemptions, disability accommodation, or religious objection on a case by case basis.
SMASH will follow all guidelines and requirements set by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) as well as local, state, and county guidelines which may include but not limited to:
- Mask requirements
- Regular COVID testing at the site
- Physical distancing requirements
We remain focused on ensuring the health and safety of all program participants - both in light of the current pandemic and beyond. We will update our policy as needed in accordance with applicable public health guidelines regarding COVID-19.
This is not for the faint of heart. But if you think you have what it takes to dare to change the face of STEM, join us.
The Opportunity:
Working at SMASH Academy is about personal growth, commitment, and the tenacity to challenge the pedagogical status quo. SMASH Academy offers a unique environment for scholars and staff alike to focus on their interests in STEM education and explore cutting-edge practices. SMASH is seeking to hire individuals who will contribute to our larger aim of developing our scholars to be STEM practitioners who are civically aware and social justice oriented, equipped to employ their STEM knowledge and skills for the betterment of their local, national, and global communities.
Although the majority of the position will function as described below, some aspects are subject to change due to evolving program needs.
About the Role:
The CS Workshop is a scholar-centered course that allows scholars to develop CS skills by way of projects and challenges. Scholars will work in various configurations including whole-group, small group, and individually while solving coding challenges using basic skills in Scratch or Python. In addition to facilitating scholars’ development of CS skills, facilitators will support scholars in understanding the importance of CS as a work readiness skill and ways in which CS applies to scholars’ career interests. Strong CS Workshop Facilitators will empower scholars to take ownership of their own learning and teach through inquiry rather than providing answers for scholars. This is a shift from the traditional model of education and requires letting scholars lead, and stepping in to guide in the right direction when necessary.
This is a 3-week assignment, with an additional commitment of training prior to launch. Facilitators will need to embrace and model flexibility, adaptability, and a solution-oriented mindset.
As this role is virtual, we expect staff to provide the following -- their own personal computer (desktop or laptop) that has a working webcam, speaker and microphone for video conferencing capabilities (i.e. Zoom, Google Hangouts, Cisco Webex); reliable Internet connection (at least 25 Mbps download speed); and quiet work space for virtual programming.
You must be available for all training and program dates.
Onboarding & Teacher Training
Provided by Create + Learn (Ongoing)
SMASH Staff Training
6.26.2023 (Virtual)
7.5.2023 (Site-specific, Virtual)
SMASH Academy
7.10 - 7.26.2023 (Site-specific, Virtual)
Note: If you are interested in facilitating more than one workshop, please see other job opportunities at www.smash.org/jobs
Key responsibilities include but are not limited to those listed below.
What you will do:
- Attend Training (see dates above)
- Adhere to Structure of Curriculum Provided by Create and Learn
- Facilitate CS Workshop Sessions
- 1.5 hr sessions 5 days/week
- Alternate between whole group, small group, and individual facilitation
- Facilitate workshops with a focus on learning through inquiry
- Take attendance and communicate absences with Site Director
- Keep track of time
- Ensure technical logistics are in order
- Guide conversation between participants, ensuring all voices are heard
- Manage the space to ensure outcomes are met for the day and that the group is on track relative to larger outcomes and goals for the summer
- Continuously assess scholar learning, provide feedback, and pivot as needed
- Log student achievement data on a weekly basis
- Ensure Completion of scholar assignments
Requirements
The attributes you possess:
- Collaboration: Exceptional communication skills; professionalism; excellent time management and organizational skills; timeliness and dependability; ability to have difficult conversations
- Relationship Building: Respect for individual differences of everyone in the room; humility; patience when addressing situations; ability to listen to multiple perspectives
- Problem Solving: Remain curious, innovate, iterate, and quickly pivot as needed; keep activities on task and think creatively in the face of unexpected events; consider multiple perspectives in all situations
- Resilience: Approach situations with a growth mindset, adapt, and reflect to ensure desired outcome(s) are met; sense of urgency
- Life-long Learner: Willingness to model learning and figure out content alongside scholars; open to feedback; learning from what scholars have to offer
What you bring:
- Experience teaching Computer Science
- Commitment to SMASH’s mission; willingness to embrace goals/values is essential
- Demonstrated experience and success co-facilitating workshops with 40-45 participants (preferably at high school level)
- A belief that ALL scholars are capable of growing and achieving as learners
- Previous experience with adopting and adapting to new technologies through self-guidance and video tutorials
- Results-driven; work around potential obstacles to ensure all goals are met and deliverables are completed by the end of program
- Experience with Scratch &/or Python
- Demonstrated effectiveness working with low-income, first generation college youth of color in diverse fields
- Desire to teach with technology and improve technological skills as needed
- Effective class management skills to lead a class of high energy students
- 3+ year of teaching experiences (middle school & high school preferred)
- College degree (doesn’t need to be in computer science)
- At least one year of teaching coding or having taken college-level computer science classes
- Experience in afterschool/camp setting/leading a classroom preferable
- Flexibility in your availability for training dates and event dates
- Spanish fluency a plus
- Virtual learning experience a plus