9 Dots is a community of educators, researchers, and engineers committed to bringing computer science (CS) to all students - particularly those from underserved communities. We believe in creating learning environments that engage every student, foster joy, and promote fearlessness and rigor in problem solving. We aim to empower students by transforming the way they voice their ideas, understand their world, and imagine their future.

We started the Get Coding program to helps schools teach computer science. Our goal is to make it easy for schools to offer computer science courses from kindergarten through high school. In K-5, we pair curriculum and software, developed in-house, with instructional support to ensure that students have exceptional CS learning experiences.

This is your time to give back to the communities that need you most.

The software development fellowship is a full-time opportunity for outstanding recent college graduates, graduate students, and professionals with a CS, Math, or Engineering background who commit two years to support CS education in Los Angeles-area public schools. In year one of the program, fellows learn advanced instructional techniques to build their CS knowledge so that they can support CS instruction at our partner schools. In year two, fellows shift into a software apprenticeship role where they spend most of their time on software development projects and ultimately start contributing to our CS learning platform.

Our fellowship is focused on giving fellows both the classroom and software development experience required to create educational technologies that address the real needs of students and teachers. Our fellows become lifelong leaders in the effort to expand CS education for all students.

In the 2018-19 school year, fellows will support 5250 students in 175 classrooms across Los Angeles.

While working with partner schools during year one, fellows assist on-site teachers to facilitate the instruction of computer science. Fellows are content knowledge experts for our teachers and guide differentiated learning experiences for small groups of students.

While working as a software apprentice during year two, fellows learn to become fully capable software engineers. The apprenticeship provides software development training in a fast paced learning environment. In the first six months, our fellows develop a series of projects to hone their skills. Thereafter, fellows contribute new features and improve the performance of our educational platform. By the end of the two year fellowship, fellows exit with a year of classroom and software development experience, capable of tackling complex educational problems with creative approaches.

Role Summary

Year 1

• 70% on-site teacher support

• 30% professional development and software development training

Year 2

• 70% software development apprenticeship

• 30% on-site teacher support

On-Site Teacher Support Responsibilities

• Uphold Get Coding mission and values

• Work with other fellows and school site teachers to deliver small group lessons for learners of all levels

• Develop and maintain relationships with partner school administration and school site teachers through weekly updates

• Build coding culture at partner schools by organizing community events and cultivating teacher leaders

• Coordinate and support coding instruction at partner schools four days a week

• Support the 9 Dots curriculum team to develop dynamic coding lessons

• Implement feedback from Instructional Coach to improve lesson plans and/or instruction

• Develop instructional calendar with partner schools for the 2018-19 school year

• Review weekly lessons and prepare all materials for school distribution

• Gather, synthesize, and communicate student performance data

• Serve as point-person for site teachers at partner schools

Professional Development and Software Development Training Responsibilities

• Design tailored professional development goals and commit to achieving them

• Receive formal instructional coaching from our master teachers through classroom observations, professional development sessions, and one-on-one feedback

• Develop Javascript skills and learn how to write modern ES6 code

• Learn to build an application using a modern web stack including Node, React, Redux, and Firebase

• Learn practical use of version control with GIT

• Learn to think like a software engineer

• Learn how to contribute to open source software

• Fix bugs in our software platforms

• Build spec applications

Software Development Apprenticeship Responsibilities

• Contribute to open source software

• Build original web applications

• Develop and implement new features to our software platforms

• Maintain and improve the performance of existing code

• Update software database

• Test and maintain software products to ensure strong functionality and optimization

• Recommend improvements to existing software programs as necessary

Requirements

• Belief in 9 Dots’ mission to make transformative CS education accessible to all students

• Commitment to social justice through education

• Desire to learn new skills and professional competencies

• Fearless problem solver ready to take on challenges as they arise

• Outstanding interpersonal and relationship building skills

• Strong organizational skills with a keen attention to detail

• Ability to self-manage and work independently

• A proactive communicator

• Professionals with a CS, Math, or Engineering background

• Driver’s License and reliable transportation

Bonus

• Experience working with students

• Experience with web-based coding educational tools, such as code.org, Scratch, etc.

• Background in Education or Cultural Studies

Start Date

• July 1st, 2018

Location

• Los Angeles, CA

We Provide

• Full health care, dental and vision insurance

• Life and disability insurance

• 15 days PTO + 9 Dots Holidays

• Professional development reimbursement

• Retirement Investment Plans (401k)

• Experience within a nimble and rapidly-growing organization

• Open and collaborative environment

• Complimentary snacks

• Dog-friendly work space @ 9 Dots headquarters