Saturday Math Teaching Assistant (Los Angeles)

About BEAM

Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics (BEAM) creates pathways for students from low-income, low-access backgrounds to become scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and computer scientists. We provide BEAM students the same access to high-quality preparation in STEM as their more affluent peers, and we invest deeply in our students' success, with programming from middle school through college graduation focused on joyous, exciting, and rigorous mathematics, building vibrant communities, and supporting students in key life transitions such as college admissions and financial aid. BEAM has grown from a small summer program serving 17 students in the summer of 2011 to a year-round, national program, serving 450+ students at six summer program sites and 600+ students in year-round programming in New York City and Los Angeles this school year. In addition, our BEAM National pilot program now reaches around 1000 elementary-aged students in seven different states, working to create a new nationwide pathway modeled on our local work. We've seen our students' successes first-hand, and it's backed by data: a quasi-experimental study found that students who attended our 7th grade summer program were 1.3X as likely to declare a STEM major as a matched comparison group.

About the Role

This upcoming academic year will be part of a transformative experience for students from low-income and historically marginalized communities with exceptional potential in math. Be a role model, guide, and friend to your students as they begin their path to advanced mathematics. Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics (BEAM), a project of the Art of Problem Solving Initiative, Inc., is seeking undergraduate students or recent graduates to be teaching assistants for a year-round Saturday program that gives everyone a chance to excel in mathematics. During the academic year 2026-27 we run the BEAM Gateway Program, a series of major-focused enrichment courses in advanced mathematics for 8th-11th grade students in Los Angeles. This enrichment program is foundational to our mission, serving as student's longest experience with BEAM and its 10-year support commitment (Gateway Program).

What You'll Do

During BEAM Saturday enrichment programming, you'll create a vibrant academic experience for kids who are discovering the wide range of opportunities and experiences available in advanced mathematics. In this role, you'll be a TA for classes on topics in Number theory, Linear Algebra, Group Theory, Discrete Math, Mathematical Biology, Probability and Statistics, or Programming. Courses taught at BEAM Saturday enrichment are designed by curriculum developers from across the country and focus on topics in mathematics that they're passionate about and chosen by students based on what they are interested in. Be a role model and guide for students who are just beginning to explore their educational pathway!

• Supervise students through enrichment courses in advanced mathematics
• Assist faculty and staff with classroom and program operations
• Run social and community activities for middle school students
• Build a positive social environment for middle and high school students
• Work with students on mathematics, both one-on-one and as a teaching assistant

Who You Are

• Strong mathematically, reliable, and take initiative
• Charismatic and able to help the kids have fun
• At least 18 years old by the beginning of the program
• Authorized to work for an employer in the US (sponsorship not available; international students able to obtain CPT or OPT are welcome to apply)

What We Offer

• Working with awesome team, including our coordinators, faculty, and program manager
• Become empowered as a leader – opportunity to exercise leadership skills in a fun environment
• Have the opportunity to join us on field trips, celebrations, and more!

Details

• Location: Central Los Angeles
• Hours: Saturdays 9:00am - 2:00pm, with breaks provided; teaching assistants average around 6 hours on duty per day
• Compensation: $19/hour, plus light breakfast and lunch
• Dates: Tuesday, September 15 Start Date; training session Saturday, September 26; Enrichment Courses Saturdays October 3, 10, 17, 31, November 7, 14, 21, December 5, 12; STEM Access Days* on October 10 and November 14; Faculty/Staff Orientation held in the afternoon for approximately 2 hours

*STEM Access Days are day-long workshop events for BEAM students and caregivers to explore the field of STEM. As these days are held on Saturdays, and generally require similar work, they are expected days for the job.

Physical Demands

• Actively supporting classrooms, carrying laptops, classroom equipment, and supplies, walking up and down flights of stairs, speaking with students
• Lifting and carrying classroom materials (up to 25 lbs), such as large bins or laptops up flights of stairs when elevator not available