MESA Education Coordinator

Oregon MESA is working to close the opportunity and achievement gaps in science and math for students underrepresented in STEM. MESA is a dynamic, growing nonprofit hosted at the Portland State University Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science; MESA equips underrepresented students with science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), invention, and 21st century skills.

The Education Coordinator is responsible for the primary educator and trainer for those implementing the MESA program, which includes MESA Advisors, Mentors, and Volunteers. This includes assessing training needs, co-developing and delivering training and curriculum for MESA Advisors, and evaluating organizational needs to improve and supplement training. The Education Coordinator will work to ensure that the curriculum of Oregon MESA which incorporates elements of invention education, engineering, and human-centered design is also rooted in culturally responsive pedagogy. The Education Coordinator is key to achieving MESA’s mission of advancing equity in STEM fields through providing relevant, innovative training and professional development The Education Coordinator will work with other MESA staff, contractors, and student employees to develop and implement training programs.

The Education Coordinator reports directly to the Assistant Director of Oregon MESA. This is a 0.6 FTE, 12-month appointment.

Position Duties

Curriculum Development

• Leads curricular changes and refinements (to emphasize racial equity and anti-racist pedagogy) for educators to implement the MESA Schools Program. Done in coordination with a team of Advisors, students, external experts, and staff
• Leads the development of equitable design challenges in coordination with Oregon MESA staff, content experts, and MESA USA colleagues
• Creates professional development (PD) materials and videos for in-person and online sessions
• Writes and designs new modules, and activities to expand the breadth and depth of MESA’s invention education program with a deep focus on racial equity and for new strategies in implementing the MESA program
• Utilizes knowledge of adult learning styles, instructional design, group dynamics, interactive learning methods, quality improvement processes, and group process facilitation to enhance PD offerings
• Develops criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of PD and regularly monitors and reports results to management, along with recommendations for improvement as appropriate.
• Collaborates with internal staff and external evaluators to collect feedback from teachers and students and using that data to drive curriculum updates and changes.
• Participates in local and national education and equity-focused conferences and sharing MESA’s best practices with external stakeholders.
• Develops and maintains contact with professional associations, NGOs, and other partners to stay current with new instructional approaches and practices

Training Delivery

• Leads the training of formal and informal K-12 educators on MESA’s human-centered design-based Invention Toolkit and engineering activities with a basis in culturally responsive and anti-racist pedagogy
• Delivers small and large group professional development sessions in an engaging manner to a range of audiences using a variety of instructional approaches and delivery methodologies (face-to-face, online, blended, synchronous, asynchronous) including MESA Invention Institutes and Professional Learning Communities
• Integrates assessment tools as appropriate for learning and development offerings.
• Coordinates training logistics including meeting space, equipment, supplies, etc. with support of MESA team members

Program Support

• Assist other MESA staff as a team member in the implementation of MESA’s signature events (MESA Day, Demo Day, Fundraisers, etc)
• Managing training and program supply budget
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related STEM or education field
• 3+ years of related work experience
• Must have a valid driver’s license
• Experience and skills in working with diverse and underserved student populations

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in education or relevant field with 1+ year of related experience.
• Bi-lingual Spanish speaker
• Experience in adult education or professional development