Computer Science (CS) Workshop TA
SMASH, United States
Job Description
Organization: SMASH
Program: SMASH Academy
Title: Computer Science (CS) Workshop TA
Location: Virtual (100% Remote)
Reports to: Site Director
Position Type: Part-time, temporary
About Us 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 typically a five week, 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.
Due to the current global pandemic, SMASH will be pivoting to an abbreviated, 4-week SMASH Virtual model for Summer 2021. Though scholars will no longer partake in the residential component of SMASH, we are committed to providing highly impactful programming to our scholars.
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:
Reporting to the Site Director, the Computer Science (CS) Workshop TA will play an integral role in supporting and sustaining the transformative educational experience that SMASH Scholars need to pursue, persist, and succeed in STEM. CS Workshop TAs will support scholars alongside CS Workshop Facilitators, guiding a group of around ~35 scholars through project-based learning centered around CS skills and will meet with the CS Workshop Facilitator before and after workshops to ensure alignment around scholar support.
Working at SMASH Academy is about professional growth, personal 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.
This is a 5-week assignment, with an additional commitment of training prior to launch, and a half-day close out after SMASH (see below for dates). You must be available for all training and program dates.
Staff Training: June 29 - July 3 (National - All staff) | TBD (Site-specific dates)
Virtual SMASH Academy: July 5 - July 30
Post-Virtual SMASH Academy: Week of August 2nd
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. In addition to facilitating scholars’ development of CS skills, TAs 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 TAs will empower scholars to take ownership of their own learning and teach through inquiry rather than providing answers for scholars. Though the CS Workshop Facilitator will own the majority of the facilitation to ground scholars in the skills, the TAs will provide a critical role of ensuring scholars grasp the skills and are on track to meet deliverables. This will require observing scholars, gauging attainment, and stepping in to support when needed. 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.
TAs will be working with scholars virtually and will need to embrace and model flexibility, adaptability, and a solution-oriented mindset.
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