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SEED Academy Project Course Instructor (Apply Now)

Program: Saturday Engineering Enrichment and Discovery (SEED) Academy 

Position: Project Course Instructor (Part-time, 8-12 hours/session includes approximately 4 hours of  prep)
Employment Timeline: August - November 2022 (8 Saturdays and occasional evenings) 

Compensation: $30/hour  

 

SEED Fall Courses

Materials Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Computer Science (python)

Data Visualization (python)

Engineering Design

 

SEED Saturdays*

Sept 17, 24

October 8, 15, 29

November 5, 12, 19

 

*Subject to change

 

Attention Applicants: We are currently planning to administer the program in person, which would require COVID vaccinations (and boosters) for all students and staff who participate and the ability to transition to virtual instruction if necessary. We will update applicants on evolving program policies, structure and requirements.
 

POSITION OVERVIEW  

The MIT Office of Engineering Outreach Programs (OEOP) in the School of Engineering boasts a 40+ year history of  providing engaging and rigorous science and engineering education enrichment for 350 middle and high school students  from our local community and across the country. Our mission focuses on making science and engineering careers more  accessible to students from underserved and underrepresented communities.  
 

The SEED Academy Project Course Instructor plays a critical role in working towards the program’s goal of developing a  cohort of “thinking minds” equipped to be successful in technical fields and at the country’s top colleges and  universities. With the assistance of a Teaching Assistant (TA), the Instructor is responsible for creating and implementing  a course curriculum related to a particular college level course. Instructors will maintain an open and positive  learning environment and prepare interactive lessons and course materials that promote active learning and challenge  all students. Throughout the program, Instructors are expected to assess student performance/academic needs and  provide resources to help promote student’s success. At the end of the program, Instructors will document course  materials and write narrative evaluations for each student. Instructors provide guidance and mentorship, playing a  critical role in each student’s experience.  
 

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

Instructional  

  • Develop/Adapt and implement a curriculum with interactive lessons for class that promote active learning by students and include hands-on and active project/experiment for each session. The curriculum should include syllabus, course goals/outcomes, weekly lectures/videos/readings, assignments, and discussions. 

  • Create an open and positive learning environment that encourages students to ask questions and to be active participants by providing support and encouragement. 

  • Prior to the start of the program, create and submit a syllabus with course goals and supply requests to the OEOP office. In collaboration with TA, track student performance and concerns. 

  • Create and assign homework that supports the curriculum. Provide timely feedback to students on each assignment. Set and hold students accountable to SEED values and expectations.

  • Communicate expectations and division of course-related tasks with TA. 

  • Provide students with the resources and guidance necessary for learning the fundamental concepts in their course. 

  • Collect feedback from students throughout the program to assess effectiveness in the classroom. 

  • Assess student ability and growth in order to challenge and support each student academically. 

  • Prior to the start of the program, communicate with the AMS Instructor to plan the curriculum. 

  • Be available via email to answer questions regarding course material. 

  • Complete narrative evaluations for students and complete program evaluation surveys within a month of program ending unless otherwise specified by the SEED Academy Leadership team. 

  • In collaboration with TA, document and submit all course materials to the OEOP. 

  • Create and share digital, abridged versions of lesson plans for absent students.  
     

Administrative and Programmatic 

  • Help foster a supportive, safe, and positive environment that builds a sense of community among program participants.

  • Provide course TA the necessary materials and information to support student learning. Participate in mandatory staff meetings, trainings, and a few special events. 

  • Provide a mature influence and ensure that participants are meeting program expectations/processes and Institute guidelines for programs with minors. 

  • Mentor students and provide advice about successfully navigating the SEED Academy experience. Help implement student support and improvement plans and check-in with students around their progress. 

  • Keep the SEED Academy Leadership team informed of key incidents within 24 hours of occurrence. 

  • Report urgent or sensitive student concerns immediately to SEED Leadership. Assist with urgent matters concerning program participants as needed. 

  • Reply in a timely fashion to correspondence from SEED Leadership team. 

  • Identify and respond to students’ needs for information, especially in regards to student concerns promptly. Complete program evaluation surveys on program experience. 

  • Perform other tasks as needed.  
     

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS: 

  • Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree preferred. 

  • Detailed knowledge and strong background in field related to the course. 

  • Ability to work part-time, up to 20 hours per week, including all Saturday sessions. 

  • Staff are required to attend all Saturday sessions and may be required to attend occasional evening events. 

  • Other MIT employment may impact eligibility for the job due to potential conflicts. 

  • Ability to navigate difficult conversations with compassion, confidentiality, and professionalism. 

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

  • Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills. 

  • Strong desire to mentor and to teach. Teaching experience preferred. 

  • Prior experience working with middle or high school- aged students preferred. 

  • Experience with high-achieving students from diverse backgrounds is preferred. 

  • Solution-oriented, flexible, and self-motivated. 

  • Candidates with previous experience working in OEOP programs are strongly encouraged to apply. 

  • Position requires satisfactory completion of background check. 
     

The MIT Office of Engineering Outreach Programs adheres to MIT’s nondiscrimination policy: the Massachusetts Institute of  Technology is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in education and employment. The Institute prohibits discrimination  against individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, religion, disability, age, genetic  information, veteran status, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies,  employment policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other Institute administered programs and activities; the Institute may,  however, favor US citizens or residents in admissions and financial aid.* 
 

** To comply with regulations by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), the principal duties in job descriptions must be essential  to the job. To identify essential functions, focus on the purpose and the result of the duties rather than the manner in which they are  performed. The following definition applies: a job function is essential if removal of that function would fundamentally change the  job.