Academic Director, BEAM Summer Away

Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics (BEAM) creates pathways for students from low-income, low-access backgrounds to become scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and computer scientists.

We provide BEAM students the same access to high-quality preparation in STEM as their more affluent peers, and we invest deeply in our students' success, with programming from middle school through college graduation focused on joyous, exciting, and rigorous mathematics, building vibrant communities, and supporting students in key life transitions such as college admissions and financial aid.

BEAM has grown from a small summer program serving 17 students in the summer of 2011 to a year-round, national program, serving 450+ 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 around 1000 elementary-aged students in seven different states, working to create a new nationwide pathway modeled on our local work. We've seen our students' successes first-hand, and it's backed by data: a quasi-experimental study found that students who attended our 7th grade summer program were 1.3X as likely to declare a STEM major as a matched comparison group.

The Academic Director is the instructional leader for a BEAM site, responsible for ensuring high-quality, student-centered math instruction and supporting faculty growth. 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.

BEAM Summer Away is a cornerstone of BEAM’s 10-year Pathway Program, providing a residential math experience where students grow as problem solvers, learners, and community members.

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.

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

• 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.

• Leadership Retreat: Align with the leadership team on roles, academic expectations, and camp-wide goals; contribute to planning team-building activities and culture-setting norms; assist in preparing classroom spaces, materials, and logistics.
• All Staff Pre-Camp Training: Lead all 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.

• 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, 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.

• 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.

• 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 values.

(The Academic Director is not the primary logistics manager, but supports key pieces that intersect with academics.)

• Manage petty cash and supplies related to instruction.
• Support planning and staffing for field trips and academic extensions.
• Supervise Open Math Time.
• Coordinate math circles or enrichment events for students and staff.
• Participate in occasional evening responsibilities as aligned with leadership team norms.

• Complete summative faculty evaluations and lead all faculty debrief conversations.
• Support Site Director in completing the end-of-camp checklist.
• Contribute academic insights to BEAM’s multi-site step-back meeting.

• 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.
• Leadership: Demonstrated success coaching teachers or leading instructional teams.
• Content Expertise: Deep comfort with middle school math content, problem-solving pedagogy, and inquiry-based teaching.
• Coaching Skills: Skilled at providing clear, actionable feedback and building trusting coaching relationships.
• Professional Development: Experience leading professional development or collaborative planning spaces.
• Soft Skills: Strong communication, organization, and partnership skills.
• Values: Commitment to equity, inclusive practices, and student-centered learning.

• Room and board is covered by BEAM for the duration of the summer program.
• Travel from and to the camp site is covered by BEAM within BEAM’s approved travel guidelines.
• Small classes with 10-15 students and 2 adults.
• An opportunity to truly get to know the extraordinary students.
• Professional development before camp to set you up for success.
• A collaborative, supportive team of educators and staff from diverse backgrounds.

• BSA CA: Harvey Mudd College (Claremont, CA)

June 21 - July 23, 2026

06/21 - 06/23

06/24 - 6/27

06/28 - 7/19

07/20 - 07/22

07/23

Beyond a commitment to nondiscrimination, we are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

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.