Lead Educator

Lead Educator - Woke Robotics

Geeking Out Kids of Color (GOKiC)

Reports To: Lead Instructor

Position Status: 40 hours per week

Location: Washington Middle School & Chief Sealth Int’l High School, King County; Virtual 

Compensation: $19-25/hour DOE ($39,520-$52,000/year DOE)

Context: Geeking Out Kids of Color (GOKiC) is focused on bringing tech into communities of color who lack access to technology, wi-fi connectivity, and culturally-relevant STEM education. A core value at GOKiC is to have instructors that look like the students we serve and/or come from the same type of community. GOKiC teaches computer programming, robotics, and Artificial Intelligence through an anti-sexist and anti-racist curriculum. We believe that by empowering kids of color with an education in computer science, they will be able to use technology to make a positive impact in their communities. Our mission is to not only close the digital literacy gap among communities of color but to have communities of color lead the production of new tech knowledge on their own terms. 

Description of Work: 

Geeking Out Kids of Color (GOKiC) helps young people to develop a positive attitude and see themselves as successful and competent in Computer Science. We do this by teaching computer programming, facilitating a variety of innovative STEM projects, and engaging participants’ communities through the intersection of Critical Race & Gender Theory and STEM. GOKiC’s afterschool Woke Robotics program teaches middle & high school students of color robotics, coding, and artificial intelligence (AI) while fostering social, emotional, and personal development, providing mentorship, and integrating technology and social impact. As the Lead Educator, you will be responsible for overseeing class preparation and curriculum development, teaching and leading the classes virtually and/or in-person at both sites, and communicating with students, families, and the school liaisons.

Impact: Engage in one-on-one teachable moments with students that are learning how to code and build robots, while also developing the skills as an instructor to teach STEM through a decolonized lens. 

Supervisor: Sam Gil Vargas

Locations: Seattle, King County; Virtual

The candidate will be expected to relocate to Seattle and work in-person once the pandemic has ended.

Responsibilities 

• Youth Education and Youth Development 
• Work with youth to identify areas of interest, passion, and skill development, and support youth through Computer Science (CS) projects that showcase their learning.
• Adopt, design, and implement engaging learning activities for youth.
• Foster a positive, safe, respectful, and engaging environment for all participants.
• Monitor attendance.
• Assess the academic and developmental needs of youth participants.
• Help track student academic achievement.
• Maintain positive working relationships with families, partnering personnel, and other key partners.
• Other duties as assigned.

Administrative 

• Maintain key project documents and communication to support different aspects of the program, including periodic reports, student files, and updates.

Qualifications 

Minimum Qualifications 

• Loves Geeking out
• Experience working with youth in middle & high school
• Knowledgeable around racial & gender theory, decolonization in education, and critical white theory 
• Interest in teaching Computer Science and/or Coding 
• Interest in Roblox, Minecraft, and PowerBI Apps. 
• Interest in curriculum building 
• AA or a BA in education, social work or a related field or Experience in youth services, or K-12 educational setting for at least 2 years
• Knowledgeable best practices for afterschool and summer learning programs.
• Familiarity with local youth-serving programs.
• Highly positive and enthusiastic work style, capable of motivating others.
• Ability to work as a team member in a multicultural organization and community.
• Knowledge of key computer applications (MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet, etc.).
• Some administrative interests, including excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be a self-starter, dependable, have strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to use good judgment as necessary.
• Must have reliable and independent transportation 
• Bilingual Somali, Amharic, or Spanish speaking ability are desired 
• Coming from an under-resourced community is desired

Employment Practice 

Geeking Out Kids of Color is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications are considered without regard to race, age, sex, color, creed, religion, disability, national origin, marital status, mental or physical handicap, sexual orientation, and expression of gender identity or any other classification protected by law. We encourage people of color and residents of the communities we serve to apply.

Application Procedure 

Submit resume and cover letter to brian.schutter@gokic.org

For more information 

Inquiries may be directed to brian.schutter@gokic.org