About SMASH

SMASH is committed to increasing racial equity in K-12 computer science (CS) education and the next generation of our workforce by building interest, knowledge, and aspirations in computing among underrepresented identities in the field. 

After operating for more than 20 years and inspiring thousands of students of color to pursue careers in STEM, the SMASH Board has spent the better part of 2022-2023 reimagining SMASH in alignment with educational and economic shifts.

In this next phase of the organization, SMASH aspires to engage even more students from underrepresented backgrounds through a more intensively CS-focused curriculum and across a wider variety of formats. Innovative in-person and virtual programs aim to provide early exposure to CS concepts and careers to students of all ages, with deep-impact programming specifically for high school students.

With the support of partners, SMASH plans to offer additional in-person experiences for high school and college students with Tech Innovation Challenges, which will provide early exposure to computer science (CS), empower youth to address pressing community challenges through CS, design thinking, and rapid prototyping.

Our digital programs support students nationwide in developing their CS knowledge and support their college and career navigation journey. SMASH Virtual resources are open to students nationwide along with our in-person contests and events. In-person residential programming serves students throughout the Bay Area, greater Atlanta, Detroit, and Boston regions.

This is a pivotal time for SMASH as SMASH builds on the success of our programs. Working at SMASH is about rapid growth, grit, personal commitment, accountability, and courage to challenge the status quo. If you have what it takes to change the computer science landscape, we want to hear from you.

SMASH is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization operating under the umbrella of the Kapor Center family of organizations.

Position Description

Reporting to the SMASH Virtual Chief Innovation Officer, this position will play an integral role in delivering and sustaining the transformative learning experience that SMASH Scholars need to pursue, persist, and succeed in CS. Introduction to Python Teachers will facilitate a group of around 100 scholars through synchronous and asynchronous learning in a virtual learning environment. Instruction will be delivered through SMASH Virtual’s online learning environment. Students will have the option to access the content synchronously and asynchronously. In addition to facilitating two 90-minute weekly classes, the Introduction to Python Teacher will be responsible for facilitating  two one-hour virtual office hours each week with students who may need support.

The Introduction to Python Teacher is a scholar-centered course that allows scholars to develop CS skills by way of hands-on coding challenges and problem-solving. Scholars will work independently while solving coding challenges using basic skills in 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. 

This is a 11-week (March 24- May 30th) assignment, with a commitment of training one week prior to launch. Facilitators will need to embrace and model flexibility, adaptability, and a solution-oriented mindset. Strong preference will be given to candidates with prior Python / CS teaching experience within a virtual learning environment.

As this role has a virtual component, 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 workspace for virtual programming. 

All staff and scholars will be required to comply with the SMASH COVID-19 policy for in-person programming. Currently, staff working in-person are expected to test at least once each week they are working in-person with colleagues. Additionally, we encourage testing before and after in-person company and non-company sponsored events and travel. All staff and scholars must also comply with any site specific COVID-19 requirements. Site specific requirements will be shared as they become available and are subject to change. If a quarantine mandate is enforced by local government, university, or SMASH, all SMASH Academy programming will be held virtually.

SMASH reserves the right to revise, delete, and add to its COVID-19 policy at any time, with or without notice. Nothing in the SMASH COVID-19 policy creates a contract or changes the nature of the at-will employment relationship.

You must be available for all training and program dates.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to those listed below.

What you will do:

• Attend Training 3 90-minute curriculum trainings  (see dates above)
• Adhere to the Structure of the Curriculum Provided by SMASH Virtual
• Facilitate Introduction to Python Sessions
• • Two weekly 90-minute virtual classes, 20 total classes
  • Two weekly 60-minute virtual office hours, 20 total office hours 
  • Planning time: 5 hours of weekly planning time to familiarize yourself with lesson materials
  • Facilitate workshops with a focus on learning through inquiry
  • • 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 course
  • Observe trends in student work and provide general/collective feedback to scholars on a weekly basis during synchronous instruction period
• Encourage completion of scholar assignments during synchronous instruction period

*All curriculum materials are the property of SMASH and cannot be used or modified in any manner without expressed written permission.*

Required Attributes:

• 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
• Proficiency in Python and/or AI, with a minimum requirement of at least one semester of college-level courses or equivalent experience
• Commitment to SMASH’s mission; willingness to embrace goals/values is essential
• Demonstrated experience and success facilitating large classes and/or workshops with approximately 100 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
• Desire to teach with technology and improve technological skills as needed
• Effective class management skills to lead a class of high energy students
• Demonstrated effectiveness working with low-income, first-generation college youth of color in diverse fields a plus
• 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

Compensation:

This is a non-exempt position. The hourly compensation for this position is $32.00 for 105 hours total of work as outlined above. Should the employee miss any hours or days of work, the daily and therefore total compensation will be adjusted accordingly. If your assignment ends earlier than we anticipate for any reason, your compensation may also be reduced accordingly. Please note, pay will be variable per pay period based on part-time and full-time phases of the program. These policies are subject to variation based on specific circumstances.

Statement of Non-Discrimination:

In keeping with our beliefs and goals, no employee or applicant will face discrimination/harassment based on: race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, or veteran status.  Above and beyond discrimination/harassment based on “protected categories,” SMASH also strives to prevent other subtler forms of inappropriate behavior (i.e., stereotyping) from ever gaining a foothold in our office. Whether blatant or hidden, barriers to success have no place at SMASH.

We value a diverse workforce: people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.