What are the responsibilities and job description for the Summer Instructor in History of Math position at The Hotchkiss School?
Job Details
Description
Instructor in History of Math - The History of Math Scholars Program at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Department: Math Department
FLSA: Exempt
Job Status: Temporary
Reports to: Director of Academic Research Programs
Schedule: June 8th - June 21st, 2025
Travel: Occasional
Housing: Room and board provided
Compensation: $4,000
Located in the scenic Berkshire-Taconic landscape in the quiet northwest corner of Connecticut, The Hotchkiss School is a community in which faculty and staff members build careers and grow as professionals. We seek to identify, recruit, and develop faculty and staff members who bring a diversity of experiences, perspectives, talents, and backgrounds. Collectively, we are dedicated to supporting the intellectual, social, and emotional growth of nearly 600 students who come from around the country and the world.
In the 2024-2025 school year, our student body includes 37% of students receiving financial aid, 14% international students, and 42% domestic students of color. Geographically diverse, our students represent 38 states, 34 countries, and span 6 continents. The School is eager to accept applications from individuals who are excited to support an inclusive and warm learning community for students from a wide array of backgrounds and experiences.
Program Description
The History of Math Scholars Program affords selected high-school seniors the opportunity to conduct primary-source research into topics in the history of mathematics and physics. Students spend each day working in the archives at Cornell on a research project of their own design on a topic they have chosen in the history of math/physics. In the evenings, students gather to discuss their findings, work on shared problems in the history of math/physics, and receive individual mentorship on their research projects. Students in the summer program join a course in their Senior year at Hotchkiss with the goal of producing a substantial final thesis on their summer research.
Position Description
The bulk of the instructor’s work involves assisting the program director in mentoring students as they undertake their research projects. This process includes one-on-one instruction for each student as their work evolves. This instruction could pertain to concepts and problems from math/physics and could involve guiding students through the learning of new skills and approaches in diverse branches of math and/or physics. Alternatively, the instructor might need to mentor students in the library research process: choosing texts, working with librarians, parsing rare and unique materials, etc. In the evenings, the instructor also fosters a collaborative spirit in the course by overseeing group discussions, workshops, discrete mathematical lessons, and other forms of joint inquiry. (The cohort includes students who are at varying levels in their mathematical training, so the instructor needs to be able to differentiate their work across individual student projects.)
The person in this role also oversees and mentors a resident assistant with a background in math/physics. The resident assistant is expected to help with the program’s implementation under the instructor’s direction. The instructor can expect to be on duty—and available to help students with their work—every other night for the program’s duration. Finally, the instructor is expected to accompany students on field trips, provide supervision for smaller outings, and assist as needed with the general administration of the summer program.
Duties & Responsibilities
Candidates must be prepared to mentor students on projects in topics in math/physics. For this reason, candidates must have an advanced degree or significant background knowledge and expertise in math/physics. Candidates should also ideally have experience with primary-source research and be prepared to mentor students through the execution of a sustained, deep, and coherent research project based upon library materials.
Application Information
Through the online application which can be found at hotchkiss.org/careers under “Summer Opportunities”, interested candidates should submit a cover letter and résumé/CV. The School is committed to building and supporting a diverse community where all feel safe, seen, and supported. Successful applicants will address their ability to contribute to a warm, inclusive, and exciting learning environment. APPLY NOW!
Additional Information
The essential functions and basic skills have been included in this description. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This position description is subject to change at any time.
The Hotchkiss School is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to basing judgments concerning the employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities. The School is firmly committed to equal employment and advancement opportunities for all employees and applicants in all phases of the employment process (including recruitment, hiring, assignment, terms and conditions of employment, compensation, benefits, training, promotion, transfer, discipline, and termination).
In accordance with applicable law, the School does not discriminate against any individual based on age, ancestry, color, genetic information, learning disability, marital status, past or present history of mental disability, national origin, physical disability, race, religious creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.
Description
Instructor in History of Math - The History of Math Scholars Program at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Department: Math Department
FLSA: Exempt
Job Status: Temporary
Reports to: Director of Academic Research Programs
Schedule: June 8th - June 21st, 2025
Travel: Occasional
Housing: Room and board provided
Compensation: $4,000
Located in the scenic Berkshire-Taconic landscape in the quiet northwest corner of Connecticut, The Hotchkiss School is a community in which faculty and staff members build careers and grow as professionals. We seek to identify, recruit, and develop faculty and staff members who bring a diversity of experiences, perspectives, talents, and backgrounds. Collectively, we are dedicated to supporting the intellectual, social, and emotional growth of nearly 600 students who come from around the country and the world.
In the 2024-2025 school year, our student body includes 37% of students receiving financial aid, 14% international students, and 42% domestic students of color. Geographically diverse, our students represent 38 states, 34 countries, and span 6 continents. The School is eager to accept applications from individuals who are excited to support an inclusive and warm learning community for students from a wide array of backgrounds and experiences.
Program Description
The History of Math Scholars Program affords selected high-school seniors the opportunity to conduct primary-source research into topics in the history of mathematics and physics. Students spend each day working in the archives at Cornell on a research project of their own design on a topic they have chosen in the history of math/physics. In the evenings, students gather to discuss their findings, work on shared problems in the history of math/physics, and receive individual mentorship on their research projects. Students in the summer program join a course in their Senior year at Hotchkiss with the goal of producing a substantial final thesis on their summer research.
Position Description
The bulk of the instructor’s work involves assisting the program director in mentoring students as they undertake their research projects. This process includes one-on-one instruction for each student as their work evolves. This instruction could pertain to concepts and problems from math/physics and could involve guiding students through the learning of new skills and approaches in diverse branches of math and/or physics. Alternatively, the instructor might need to mentor students in the library research process: choosing texts, working with librarians, parsing rare and unique materials, etc. In the evenings, the instructor also fosters a collaborative spirit in the course by overseeing group discussions, workshops, discrete mathematical lessons, and other forms of joint inquiry. (The cohort includes students who are at varying levels in their mathematical training, so the instructor needs to be able to differentiate their work across individual student projects.)
The person in this role also oversees and mentors a resident assistant with a background in math/physics. The resident assistant is expected to help with the program’s implementation under the instructor’s direction. The instructor can expect to be on duty—and available to help students with their work—every other night for the program’s duration. Finally, the instructor is expected to accompany students on field trips, provide supervision for smaller outings, and assist as needed with the general administration of the summer program.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Mentor students in their research projects on topics in the history of math/physics.
- Help develop engaging and rigorous evening curricula in research methods, math, and physics.
- Support the program director in all aspects of program execution.
- Oversee the dormitory experience, including managing and mentoring a resident assistant.
- Complete online trainings including boundary training, required State of CT Department of Children and Families Mandated Reporter Training and Sexual Harassment Prevention Training, as well as other trainings mandated by the State of NY and Cornell University. \
- Support other duties as assigned.
Candidates must be prepared to mentor students on projects in topics in math/physics. For this reason, candidates must have an advanced degree or significant background knowledge and expertise in math/physics. Candidates should also ideally have experience with primary-source research and be prepared to mentor students through the execution of a sustained, deep, and coherent research project based upon library materials.
Application Information
Through the online application which can be found at hotchkiss.org/careers under “Summer Opportunities”, interested candidates should submit a cover letter and résumé/CV. The School is committed to building and supporting a diverse community where all feel safe, seen, and supported. Successful applicants will address their ability to contribute to a warm, inclusive, and exciting learning environment. APPLY NOW!
Additional Information
The essential functions and basic skills have been included in this description. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This position description is subject to change at any time.
The Hotchkiss School is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to basing judgments concerning the employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities. The School is firmly committed to equal employment and advancement opportunities for all employees and applicants in all phases of the employment process (including recruitment, hiring, assignment, terms and conditions of employment, compensation, benefits, training, promotion, transfer, discipline, and termination).
In accordance with applicable law, the School does not discriminate against any individual based on age, ancestry, color, genetic information, learning disability, marital status, past or present history of mental disability, national origin, physical disability, race, religious creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.
