Academic Director, BEAM Summer

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. 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 directly support students and transition them to other enrichment programs that enable their future success.

BEAM’s model provides continuous support from middle school through college graduation, including intense academic summer programs, weekend classes, mentoring, and STEM-focused college support.

The Academic Director is the instructional leader for a BEAM site, ensuring high‑quality, student‑centered math instruction and supporting faculty growth. You will guide the academic vision for your campus, support faculty development, and ensure that BEAM’s inquiry‑based, student‑centered math instruction comes to life daily.

• Ensure high‑quality, inquiry‑based math instruction aligned with BEAM’s mission and values.
• Coach, support, and evaluate faculty, including Junior and Senior Faculty.
• Facilitate collaboration spaces that promote shared learning and instructional coherence.
• Align academic goals with site operations in partnership with site leadership.

The Academic Director partners closely with the Site Director, Associate Site Director, Director of Student Life, and Guidance Counselor to create a cohesive leadership team. While the primary focus is academic excellence and faculty development, the role also supports site‑wide operations as needed.

I. Pre-Program Preparation

Your work before camp ensures that faculty arrive prepared and that the academic program launches smoothly.

Self‑Preparation and Planning

• Complete BEAM’s Leadership and Faculty Coach training.
• Review the Site Leadership Handbook and align with program expectations.
• Participate in virtual leadership team meetings.
• Support final hiring or placement decisions for faculty.
• Support student course assignment processes.
• Attend synchronous faculty training sessions and the virtual course planning retreat.

Pre‑Camp Week (On‑Site)

• Leadership Retreat: Align with the leadership team on roles, academic expectations, and camp‑wide goals; contribute to team‑building activities and culture‑setting norms; assist in preparing classroom spaces, materials, and logistics.
• All Staff Pre‑Camp Training: Lead faculty‑specific training, including academic modules; facilitate prep time, course refinement, and problem‑solving planning for faculty; assign and review academic training tasks or modules; confirm completion of HR onboarding for faculty.

II. During Camp – Academic Leadership (Primary Function)

• Observe each faculty member across three full observation and feedback cycles.
• Provide individualized coaching and implement BEAM’s coaching and feedback structures.
• Co‑facilitate twice‑weekly collaboration spaces with senior faculty focused on lesson planning, math content, and pedagogical strategies.
• Guide faculty on best practices for Open Math Time, problem‑solving pedagogy, and student discourse.
• Provide and record formal summative feedback for all faculty.
• Support new faculty in understanding BEAM’s teaching philosophy.

Site Leadership (In partnership with the Site Director)

• Serve as the primary translator of academic needs within the leadership team.
• Participate in daily and weekly leadership check‑ins.
• Communicate academic updates, shifts, or faculty needs.
• Troubleshoot classroom or scheduling issues in partnership with leadership.
• Provide emergency class coverage if needed.
• Support decision‑making conversations when academic or student needs intersect.

Community Leadership

• Ensure classrooms reflect BEAM’s commitment to safety, belonging, inquiry, and student ownership of math.
• Support faculty in implementing student accommodations and engagement strategies.
• Address escalated academic or classroom‑based student behavior concerns.
• Model academic and social leadership aligned with BEAM’s…