Upper School Math Teacher

About Brightworks

Since 2011, Brightworks has redefined education by saying, “Yes” to student inquiry and ambition, whether it’s launching weather balloons or building sail cars. We view children as instinctual learners and act as partners, rather than just instructors, in each child’s educational journey.

By prioritizing student agency, we empower our community members to explore bold ideas and bridge the gap between the classroom and the world. At Brightworks, we don’t just belong in our community; we work together to strengthen it.

Brightworks is not a traditional school, and our teachers aren't traditional instructors. We call them Collaborators. We are looking for visionary educators to co-create a project-based, inquiry-driven curriculum for the upcoming school year.

Brightworks is seeking experienced candidates for the teaching position of Upper School Math Collaborator. As Upper School Math Collaborator, you are the architect of the students’ mathematical experience. You will be responsible for working with fellow educators and students to design and implement a holistic interdisciplinary math curriculum. Candidates will have a deep familiarity with, or a strong desire to master, frameworks that foster healthy mathematical mindsets and identities (e.g. Jo Boaler) and inquiry (e.g. Dan Meyer's Three-Act Math, Desmos, etc.).

• Curriculum Co-Creation: Designing interdisciplinary, real-world projects based on student interests.
• Accountability & Mentorship: Guiding students while setting high standards for independent study and pacing complex projects.
• Narrative Assessment: Documenting the learning journey through weekly parent communications and student-led portfolios.
• Equity in Action: Engaging in deep work on power and privilege to maintain an anti‑racist, equitable, gender‑inclusive, neurodiversity‑safe, and radically welcoming environment.
• Develop Multi-Modal Approaches
  :
  Ability to share mathematical learning and build fluency with different learning styles.

Experienced Educator: You have experience teaching math to middle/high school students, a background in progressive, inquiry-based education, and a deep respect for student agency.

Professional Communicator: You bridge the gap between "candid" and "kind," writing compelling narratives of student growth.

Flexible Adapter: You can find different approaches for different learners, never offering a one-size-fits-all lesson.

Project Manager: You have a strong work ethic and the ability to help students navigate uncertainty to reach concrete goals.

Social Justice Advocate: You actively leverage conversations about identity to build equitable spaces.

Lifelong Learner: You possess high EQ, a growth mindset, and a spirit of mutual aid.

Reflective & Adaptive: You possess a high degree of self‑awareness, regularly seeking feedback and pivoting your approach as student needs or project directions evolve.

Please submit the following as PDF documents via our application portal.

• Cover Letter: Tell us where you learned about the open position, your journey, why Brightworks, and a recent project that excited you.
• Resume: Focused on relevant educational and professional experience.
• Writing Samples: Lesson plan for a project-based learning experience and a professional communication sample to a former parent or parents. (e.g., newsletters or family correspondence).

Note:

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. Brightworks is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and merit-based hiring.

• 2-3 years working with school-aged children in math, especially project-based math
• Experience with Dan Meyer’s Three Act Math, Jo Boaler’s You Cubed, and Desmos’s Middle School Curriculum
• Compliance:
  Ability to pass background screening and compliance training, CPR/First Aid certification, pass TB testing, and provide three professional references from direct supervisors when requested.
• Tech Literacy
  - Proficient in Google Suite
• Physical Demands
  - Ability to lead students on off‑site excursions around the city or via public transportation for off‑site learning

• A background working with diverse learning styles
• Bonus points for ability and willingness to advise on lower school mathematics curriculum development