Kids in Tech Afterschool Program Instructor

Purpose: STEAM is one of the fastest growing sectors of the Massachusetts (MA) economy, but BIPOC individuals and women are underrepresented. Early exposure and experience to STEAM topics through participation in STEAM afterschool programs is an excellent way to promote an increased interest, persistence, and identity in STEAM.  According to The Commonwealth Corporation’s 2021 STEM Brief, STEAM occupations include computer and math, architecture and engineering, healthcare, and life and physical science occupations. STEAM workers make up 21% of the labor force in MA, higher than the U.S. average of 14%. A 2021 Pew Research Center report states that Hispanic and Black workers make up 17% and 11% of employees across all occupations, but just 8% and 9% of all STEAM workers, respectively. Women make up a majority of workers in health-related jobs, but remain underrepresented in other STEM jobs, such as the physical sciences (40%), computing (25%) and engineering (15%). Research shows that a more diverse team drives innovation, workplace culture, and productivity, and companies with more racial and gender diversity outperform those with less (Dixon-Fyle, et al., 2020).  Research also shows that by increasing proficiency in STEAM, positive STEAM identity can be increased as well. By providing experiences where students experience success in STEAM, instructors can positively impact students’ feeling of belonging and STEAM identity (Martin-Hansen, 2018). A 2016 report by Partnerships in Education and Resilience (PEAR) found that 78% of afterschool STEM participants improved their attitude about STEM, 73% improved their STEM identity, and 80% increased their STEM knowledge. 

Kids in Tech Afterschool Program Instructors, serving in program site teams, will provide those opportunities for increased STEAM proficiency in our community through one-on-one and group STEAM classroom support during school and afterschool in Afterschool Tech Clubs (ASTC) to 9-14-year-old (grades 4-8) students in 9 elementary and middle schools and community centers in Lowell and Boston, MA. 

Responsibilities:

Essential Functions

• Kids in Tech Afterschool Instructors will build rapport with students and serve as a positive near peer mentor and role model to demonstrate ways that STEAM is an integral part of our lives and futures.
• Kids in Tech Afterschool Instructors will maintain a positive, encouraging, and orderly classroom environment.
• Kids in Tech Afterschool Instructors will build rapport with partner site staff to ensure that the KiT STEAM curriculum is meeting the students’ needs.
• Kids in Tech Afterschool Instructors will implement 2 cohorts of ASTC for up to 15 9-14 year old students, 2 times per week, for 60 minutes each lesson, for approximately 30 weeks.
• Kids in Tech Afterschool Instructors will prepare lessons and projects using the KiT curriculum, prepare necessary materials for hands-on learning, lead the ASTC by implementing the curriculum, research and coordinate 1 field trip, 1 job shadow day, and 1-2 guest speakers per site. 
• Kids in Tech Afterschool Instructors will drive strong family engagement, reaching out to at least 10 families of children engaged in ASTC monthly, and in-school support to provide a whole-child approach to improve STEAM engagement. 

Marginal Functions-

• Kids in Tech Afterschool Instructors will engage in monthly text and newsletter family outreach to provide updates and information about students’ STEM activities and to offer support and seek engagement using the C.A.R.E. (Connect. Act. Reflect. Empower.) framework.
• Kids in Tech Afterschool Instructors will collect and enter student attendance and outcome data using KiT data tools.

Qualifications:

• Must be currently enrolled in high school or has a high school diploma/GED.
• Should be ages 16-24 and will serve as near-peer mentors to the students. 
• Must be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States.
• Must be able to satisfy the Criminal History Check
• Should have either a background in a STEAM field, such as a STEAM major or participation in STEAM clubs, and/or a demonstrable interest in STEAM
• Should have an education or youth development background and can demonstrate that they work well with kids; are enthusiastic and inquisitive, adaptable, exhibit a growth mindset, and have past leadership experience.
• Ideally, can speak more than one language, preferably Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, French, Vietnamese, Arabic, Mandarin, Cape Verdean Creole, or Khmer.
• Resident of Lowell or Boston-area or able to secure reliable transportation to service locations in either Lowell or Boston 

Benefits:

• Hourly Salary commensurate with experience of $16-$28
• Networking opportunities in the STEM fields including opportunities to attend field trips to KiT STEM partner facilities around the Lowell/Greater Boston area.
• Opportunity to be assigned to special projects outside of the instructor roles.
• Flexible schedule beneficial to current students. Program schedule follows all school calendar holidays and breaks (i.e Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Winter Recess breaks)

Afterschool Tech Club Instructor Commitment:

• October 2024 - June 2025 program year. Each instructor will be required to instruct at a partner site program a minimum of 2 days a week during active program weeks. 
• Dedicate hours to instruction preparation, including necessary supplies to complete lessons.
• Complete biweekly check-ins with direct supervisor.
• Data collection including but not limited to photos, videos, demographic information, attendance, and survey completion for each enrolled student.
• Attend any KiT sponsored events, field trips, trainings, or volunteer opportunities.

Kids in Tech prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment based on race, color, national origin, gender, age (40 and over), religion, sexual orientation, disability (mental or physical ), gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, pregnancy, reprisal, genetic information.

Benefits:

• Hourly Salary commensurate with experience of $16.50 to $28.50
• Networking opportunities in the STEM fields including opportunities to attend field trips to KiT STEM partner facilities around the Lowell/Greater Boston area.
• Opportunity to be assigned to special projects outside of the instructor roles.
• Flexible schedule beneficial to current students. Program schedule follows all school calendar holidays and breaks (i.e Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Winter Recess breaks)