2025 SMASH Academy Python for Data-Driven Applications Facilitator (Berkeley)

About SMASH

SMASH is committed to increasing racial equity in K-12 computer science (CS) education and the next generation of our workforce by building interest, knowledge, and aspirations in computing among underrepresented identities in the field. 

After operating for more than 20 years and inspiring thousands of students of color to pursue careers in STEM, the SMASH Board has spent the better part of 2022-2023 reimagining SMASH in alignment with educational and economic shifts.

In this next phase of the organization, SMASH aspires to engage even more students from underrepresented backgrounds through a more intensively CS-focused curriculum and across a wider variety of formats. Innovative in-person and virtual programs aim to provide early exposure to CS concepts and careers to students of all ages, with deep-impact programming specifically for high school students.

Programming will continue to center on SMASH Academy, a three-week, cost-free, residential on-campus summer experience which helps students develop critical thinking, civic and social awareness, and leadership skills. Initially available at five partner sites across the country, this next phase of Academy supports rising 11th and 12th graders in developing CS skills and credentials.

With the support of partners, SMASH plans to offer additional in-person experiences for high school and college students with Hackathons/Open Innovation Challenges, which will provide early exposure to computer science (CS), empower youth to address pressing community challenges through CS, design thinking and rapid prototyping.

To bring the SMASH experience to a national audience, we also plan to develop digital programs to support students nationwide in developing their CS knowledge and support their college and career navigation journey. SMASH digital resources will be open to students nationwide, while in-person programming serves students throughout the Bay Area, greater Atlanta, Detroit, and Boston regions.

This is a pivotal time for SMASH as SMASH builds on the success of our programs. Working at SMASH is about rapid growth, grit, personal commitment, accountability, and courage to challenge the status quo. If you have what it takes to change the computer science landscape, we want to hear from you.

SMASH is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization operating under the umbrella of the Kapor Center family of organizations. 

Position Description

Reporting to the Program Director, the Python for Data-Driven Applications Facilitator will play an integral role in delivering and sustaining the transformative learning experience that SMASH Scholars need to pursue, persist, and succeed in CS. Workshop Facilitators will facilitate a group of around 25 scholars through project-based learning.  

The Python for Data-Driven Applications facilitator will lead scholars through an engaging, hands-on exploration of Data Science and Python fundamentals. Facilitators will guide groups of scholars as they learn basic concepts related to organizing and presenting live data for a variety of purposes while creating their own simple back-end scripts and applications. 

Facilitators will support scholars in both whole-group and small-group settings, fostering a collaborative learning environment that is student-centered and based on a pedagogy of experimentation, creativity, and reflection. The ideal facilitator will empower scholars to take ownership of their learning journey, encouraging discovery and problem-solving rather than providing direct answers. In addition to supporting technical skill development, facilitators will help scholars build project management abilities, strengthen creative agency, and develop collaborative and leadership skills.   

Facilitators will:

• Create an inclusive, engaging learning environment where scholars feel comfortable experimenting and taking creative risks
• Balance constructive feedback with positive encouragement
• Help scholars understand the use cases and real-world applications of introduced concepts and practices.
• Build confidence in and lasting understanding of the many aspects of back-end development practices through scaffolding, checks for understanding, building on prior knowledge, and other methodologies.
• Foster discussions about inclusivity and diversity in Computer Science
• Implement effective classroom management strategies while maintaining a fun, collaborative atmosphere

Summer learning will culminate in a final project presentation and the chance to win a national competition consisting of competitors from all regions.

This is a 3-week assignment, with an additional commitment of training prior to launch, and a virtual close out after SMASH Academy (see chart below for dates). Facilitators will be working with scholars both in person and virtually and will need to embrace and model flexibility, adaptability, and a solution-oriented mindset.

As this role has a virtual component, we expect staff to provide the following -- their own personal computer (desktop or laptop) that has a working webcam, speaker and microphone for video conferencing capabilities (i.e. Zoom, Google Hangouts, Cisco Webex); reliable Internet connection (at least 25 Mbps download speed); and quiet workspace for virtual programming. If you cannot provide your own equipment, please speak with your Program Director.

All staff and scholars will be required to comply with the SMASH COVID-19 policy for in-person programming. Currently, staff working in-person are expected to test at least once each week they are working in-person with colleagues. Additionally, we encourage testing before and after in-person company and non-company sponsored events and travel. All staff and scholars must also comply with any site-specific COVID-19 requirements. Site-specific requirements will be shared as they become available and are subject to change. If a quarantine mandate is enforced by the local government, university, or SMASH, all SMASH Academy programming will be held virtually.

SMASH reserves the right to revise, delete, and add to its COVID-19 policy at any time, with or without notice. Nothing in the SMASH COVID-19 policy creates a contract or changes the nature of the at-will employment relationship.

You must be available for all training and program dates.

Onboarding

6.23.2025 (Virtual)

Staff Training

6.24.2025 - 6.27.2025 (Virtual)

7.3.2025 (In-Person)

SMASH Academy

7.7.2025 - 7.18.2025 (In-Person)

Virtual Close Out

7.24.2025

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to those listed below.

• Attend Training (see dates above)
• Adhere to the Structure of the Curriculum Provided by SMASH
• Facilitate CS Workshop Sessions
• • 3hr sessions 5 days/week 
  • Alternate between whole group, small group, and individual facilitation 
  • Facilitate learning through inquiry 
  • • Adequately prep for sessions by reviewing material
    • Take attendance and communicate absences with Program Director and/or Program Coordinator
    • Guide conversation between participants, ensuring all voices are heard
    • Manage the space to ensure outcomes are met for the day and that the group is on track relative to larger outcomes and goals for the summer
  • Continuously assess scholar learning, provide feedback, and pivot as needed
  • Communicate and reflect with co-facilitators to ensure activities are aligned and ensure outcomes are met
  • Log student achievement data on a weekly basis
• Ensure Completion of scholar assignments

Required Attributes:

• Collaboration: Exceptional listening, communication, and presentation skills; excellent time management and organizational skills; timeliness and dependability; courageously candid when facing difficult conversations
• Relationship Building: Welcome and embrace individual differences of everyone in the room; humility; patience when navigating situations; ability to listen to multiple perspectives; restorative approach to relationship building and conflict resolution 
• Problem Solving: Remain curious, innovative, iterative, and quickly pivot as needed; keep activities on track, think creatively, and act swiftly in the face of unanticipated events; make data-based decisions
• Resilience: Approach situations with a growth mindset, adapt, and reflect to ensure desired outcome(s) are met

What you bring:

• Experience teaching Computer Science
• Proficiency in Python and/or Data Science with a minimum requirement of at least one semester of college-level courses or equivalent experience
• Experience building back-end applications and scripts that fetch, store and display data to end users using basic Python libraries.
• Commitment to SMASH’s mission; willingness to embrace goals/values is essential
• Demonstrated experience and success facilitating workshops with 20-35 participants (preferably at high school level)
• A belief that ALL scholars are capable of growing and achieving as learners 
• Previous experience with adopting and adapting to new technologies through self-guidance and video tutorials
• Results-driven; work around potential obstacles to ensure all goals are met and deliverables are completed by the end of the program
• Desire to teach with technology and improve technological skills as needed
• Effective class management skills to lead a class of high-energy students
• Demonstrated effectiveness working with low-income, first-generation college youth of color in diverse fields a plus
• Experience in afterschool/camp setting/leading a classroom is preferable
• Flexibility in your availability for training dates and event dates
• Spanish fluency is a plus
• Virtual learning experience a plus

Compensation:

This is a non-exempt position. The hourly compensation for this position is estimated to be $32.00. Should the employee miss any hours or days of work, the daily and therefore total compensation will be adjusted accordingly. If your assignment ends earlier than we anticipate for any reason, your compensation may also be reduced accordingly. Please note, pay will be variable per pay period based on part-time and full-time phases of the program. These policies are subject to variation based on specific circumstances.

Statement of Non-Discrimination:

In keeping with our beliefs and goals, no employee or applicant will face discrimination/harassment based on: race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, or veteran status.  Above and beyond discrimination/harassment based on “protected categories,” SMASH also strives to prevent other subtler forms of inappropriate behavior (i.e., stereotyping) from ever gaining a foothold in our office. Whether blatant or hidden, barriers to success have no place at SMASH.

We value a diverse workforce: people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.