Academic Director, 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.

Academic Director, BEAM Discovery About BEAM

 

Role Overview

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

 

Primary Responsibilities:

• 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 as part of a cohesive leadership team. While the primary focus is academic excellence and faculty development, the role also supports site-wide operations as needed to ensure a strong student experience.

 

Key Responsibilities

I. Pre-Program Preparation

You lay the groundwork for a successful summer by building faculty readiness and aligning with the leadership team.

Self-Preparation and Planning

• Complete BEAM leadership and faculty coaching training.
• Review the Site Leadership Handbook and program expectations.
• Support final selection and onboarding of faculty.
• Contribute to student course assignment processes.
• Participate in virtual leadership meetings, synchronous faculty training, and the virtual course planning retreat.

Pre-Camp Week (On-Site)

• Leadership Team Retreat: Align with leadership on roles, academic expectations, and camp-wide norms; help plan team building and staff culture activities; ensure classroom spaces, materials, and logistics are ready.
• All Staff Pre-Camp Training: Lead all faculty-specific training (academic modules, instructional expectations); facilitate faculty course preparation, lesson adaptation, and problem-solving planning; assign and review any academic training tasks; confirm I-9 and onboarding compliance for faculty.

 

II. During Camp

Academic Leadership (Primary Function)

• Conduct at least three observation and feedback cycles for each faculty member.
• Provide ongoing coaching and support tailored to each teacher’s needs.
• Co-facilitate twice-weekly collaboration spaces with Senior Faculty focused on lesson planning, content understanding, and student-centered pedagogy.
• Guide faculty in implementing Open Math Time best practices.
• Provide and document formal summative evaluations for faculty.
• Support new faculty in understanding and implementing BEAM’s instructional philosophy.

Site Leadership

• Serve as the primary bridge between faculty and the leadership team regarding academic needs.
• Participate in daily or weekly leadership meetings.
• Communicate academic updates, challenges, and resource needs.
• Troubleshoot scheduling or classroom logistics in partnership with leadership.
• Provide emergency instructional coverage if needed.

Community Leadership

• Ensure classrooms reflect BEAM’s commitment to inquiry, belonging, and student ownership.
• Support faculty in implementing student engagement strategies and any necessary accommodations.
• Address escalated classroom-based behavior concerns.
• Model positive academic and social leadership across the site.

Operational and Logistical Support Supports academic logistics that intersect with instruction, not the primary operations manager.

• Manage petty cash, MetroCards, and classroom supply needs.
• Support planning and staffing for field trips.
• Supervise Open Math Time and other academic block structures.
• Help coordinate or lead math circles or other enrichment events.
• Participate in selected all staff responsibilities as aligned with leadership norms.

III. Post-Camp Wrap-Up

• Complete all faculty evaluations and conduct 1-to-1 debrief conversations.
• Support the Site Director in completing the end-of-camp checklist.
• Contribute academic insights to BEAM’s program-wide step back meeting.

 

Qualifications

We are seeking a leader with:

• Experience: At least 2 years as Academic Dean or 4+ years in an instructional leadership role.
• Preferred Experience: Worked with middle school and/or high school students.
• Teaching Expertise: Strong understanding of student-centered, inquiry-based math instruction.
• Instructional Coaching Skills: Demonstrated experience mentoring educators or leading professional development.
• Leadership Skills: Ability to guide teams, manage projects, and foster collaborative staff culture.
• Commitment to Equity: Deep belief in inclusive learning environments where all students feel capable and valued.
• Communication Skills: Ability to communicate clearly with faculty, staff, students, and families.
• Problem Solving: Ability to make thoughtful decisions in real-time and support faculty through challenges.
• Organizational Strength: Skilled at managing schedules, systems, and multiple responsibilities simultaneously.
• Math Proficiency: Comfort with middle school enrichment math and supporting faculty in exploring deep math topics.
• Adaptability: Flexibility to adjust plans based on feedback, student needs, and evolving program realities.

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 together.

 

Details & Program Dates

Location

• BEAM Discovery LA: Central LA Location
• BEAM Discovery NYC: New Design High School and Uptown location

Program Dates (2026)

Location	Phase	Start Date	End Date
LA	Leadership Team Planning	June 15	-
	All Staff Pre-camp Training	June 16	June 18
	Camp	June 22	July 24
	Wrap-up	July 27	July 28
	Leadership Wrap Up	-	July 29
NYC	Leadership Team Planning	June 29	-
	All Staff Pre-Camp Training	June 30	July 2
	Camp Dates	July 6	August 7
	Wrap-Up	August 10	August 11
	Leadership Wrap Up	-	August 12

Staff Pre-camp and Wrap-Up Days are full-day commitments (9:00 AM to 4:00 PM), even for part-time roles.

 

Compensation: The compensation is $9,750 for the main camp period as Academic Director, and an hourly rate of $32.50 for any preparatory work before camp starts as a pre-summer set up associate.

 

Application Process

First Round Interview  → Project  → Final Interview → Reference checks & offer!

For more information and the application, contact us at Bruce@beammath.org. For information on our residential summer camps, check out our BEAM Summer Away postings!

 

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.