Teacher - Summer Academic Challenge

Job ID: 8132
Location: Academic Challenge
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Regular/Temporary:

Staff Posting Details

Appointment: Temporary, full-time position (1.0 FTE). Three openings available.

Position Summary: Access Programs' Summer Academic Challenge (SAC) is a four-week innovative STEAM enrichment program serving low income, first generation in college, and students of color primarily from Tacoma Public Schools and Pierce County. Students arrive on June 26, 2025 and finish the program on July 24, 2025. Teachers must have experience and enjoy teaching in collaborative student-centered learning environments. Ideal candidates have experience teaching in STEAM fields and are enthusiastic and innovative. We are seeking three teachers, each to work with a group of 20 students in one of the following grade levels: 7th/8th, 9th/10th, and 11th/12th.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:




Lead hands-on, engaging lessons using a STEAM Curriculum. As a reference, the theme for each grade are:

7th and 8th grade: Spaces for Everyone: An Adventure in Home Design

This hands-on theme lets students design their ideal "home" while using STEAM principles. What does a home look like in the past, present and future? Is it a single family home or a multi generational home? They'll explore topics like sustainable energy, materials, and environmental impact, and use tech tools to create smart home features. Students will work in teams to solve real-world challenges like space and structure, while considering global issues such as climate change and housing shortages. The arts will help them design creative, functional spaces, and math will be used for planning and budgeting. By the end, students will gain valuable skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking, while being inspired to make a difference in their communities.

9th and 10th grade: Ripple effect: Exploring the Connection Between Salmon, Water, and the Community of Puget Sound

The focus will be on the rich history of Puget Sound and Tacoma, emphasizing the significance of fishing and water rights in the community. Students will explore the life cycle and habitat of salmon, investigate how water quality, climate change, and human activities affect this vital food source for local wildlife and communities. Through this immersive experience, students will

connect their learning to the challenges and opportunities within their own community, fostering a deeper understanding of environmental stewardship and cultural heritage in the Pacific Northwest.

11th and 12th grade: Keep it Movin'

Through hands-on projects and collaboration, students will engage with STEAM concepts as they explore the evolution of transportation, from horse-drawn carriages to modern technologies and future innovations. The course will cover key historical milestones and technological advancements that shaped our communities, with a focus on current and future local transit systems.

• Prepare lesson plans based on the provided curriculum themes and/or provide feedback and suggestions for updates to the curriculum
• Collaborate in planning field trips and accompany students on field trips
• Prepare a list of resources required in advance of the start of the program
• Oversee 2-3 college student Teacher Assistants
• Participate in orientation and training with teaching assistants before the beginning of the program Training dates are June 23, 24, 25; dates liable to change based on group availability.
• Maintain student records and track student work/progress over the summer

Qualifications:

• Prior experience working with youth from diverse populations
• Experience teaching with project based/collaborative learning methods
• Willingness and ability to work collaboratively
• Ability and interest in implementing the newly designed STEAM curriculum
• Can facilitate engaging and enriching activities in small and large groups
• Able to commit to working for the duration of the four-week program plus spring orientation programming
• Able to start lesson planning early enough to provide lists of materials, coordinate field trips, etc.
• Able to respectfully work, communicate, and provide leadership within a diverse campus community

Preferred Requirements

• Certification in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, or Math (STEAM) teaching for middle and/or high school students

This Position:

• Requires a degree, specific licensure/certification, or other credentials
• Requires the use/operation of a personal, rented, or university vehicle to conduct university business on a regular basis

Compensation and Benefits:
The anticipated range for this position is $24.00 - $24.00. Decisions about starting salaries are made based on the extent and relatedness of the candidate's education and experience and on internal equity and market considerations.

Puget Sound offers a generous benefits package for eligible staff employees, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement plan options and 403(b) contributions
• Paid vacation, sick leave, floating holiday, campus holidays and bonus holidays
• Education benefits, such as full tuition for eligible employees and their families
• Access to university facilities and entertainment (fitness center, pool, library, concerts, lectures and more!)

Please note:

• Positions that work less than .75 FTE (1,560 hours per year) do not qualify for long-term disability or education benefits.
• Positions that work less than .50 FTE (1,040 hours per year) will accrue paid sick leave but are not eligible for additional benefits.
• Temporary positions that work at least .50 FTE (1,040 hours per year) will be eligible for benefits.

This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

This position is not eligible for benefits; however, employees may make elective deferrals into a retirement plan.

Application Deadline:

Search and selection procedures will be closed when a sufficient number of qualified candidates have been identified. Interested individuals are encouraged to submit application materials no later than April 31st, 2025 to ensure consideration.

Required Documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

Applications submitted without the required attachments will not be considered.

All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of all required background checks.

University Diversity Statement

• We acknowledge the richness of commonalities and differences we share as a university community; the intrinsic worth of all who work and study here; that education is enhanced by investigation of and reflection upon multiple perspectives.
• We aspire to create respect for and appreciation of all persons as a key characteristic of our campus community; to increase the diversity of all parts of our University community through commitment to diversity in our recruitment and retention efforts; to foster a spirit of openness to active engagement among all members of our campus community.
• We act to achieve an environment that welcomes and supports diversity; to ensure full educational opportunity for all who teach and learn here; to prepare effectively citizen-leaders for a pluralistic world.

Puget Sound is committed to an environment that welcomes and supports diversity. We seek diversity of identity, thought, perspective, and background in our students, faculty, and staff. To learn more please visit: https://pugetsound.edu/about-puget-sound-0/mission-core-values/institutional-equity-diversity

The University of Puget Sound is an equal opportunity employer.


How to Apply
For complete job description and application instructions, visit: www.pugetsound.edu/employment

About Puget Sound
Puget Sound is a selective national liberal arts college in Tacoma, Washington, drawing 2,600 students from 48 states and 20 countries. Puget Sound graduates include Rhodes and Fulbright scholars, notables in the arts and culture, entrepreneurs and elected officials, and leaders in business and finance locally and throughout the world. A low student-faculty ratio provides Puget Sound students with personal attention from faculty who have a strong commitment to teaching and offer 1,200 courses each year in more than 40 traditional and interdisciplinary fields, including graduate programs in occupational and physical therapy and in education. Puget Sound is the only nationally ranked independent undergraduate liberal arts college in Western Washington, and one of just five independent colleges in the Pacific Northwest granted a charter by Phi Beta Kappa, the nations most prestigious academic honorary society. Visit "About Puget Sound" (http://www.pugetsound.edu/about) to learn more about the college.

As a strategic goal and through our core values, University of Puget Sound is committed to an environment that welcomes and supports diversity. We seek diversity of identity, thought, perspective, and background in our students, faculty, and staff. EOE/AA

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