STEM & Student Success Facilitator (Part-Time)

Philadelphia Academies; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); Hybrid; USD 273,000 - 388,000; Part time

Job summary

Philadelphia Academies, Inc. seeks STEM & Student Success Facilitators to support Feltonville Middle School’s Extended School Day program.

Facilitators serve as educators, mentors, coaches, and champions for middle school students, guiding hands-on lessons in robotics, engineering, animation, drones, and other STEM topics using the Woz Ed curriculum. They help students build perseverance, teamwork, and future pathways.

Qualifications

• Experience working with middle school youth or youth development programs.
• Background in education, mentoring, after-school programming, or community organizations is preferred.
• Ability to facilitate group activities or project-based learning.

Responsibilities

• Create engaging STEM learning experiences using the Woz Ed curriculum.
• Guide projects in robotics, engineering, animation, drones, and related STEM areas.
• Adapt instruction to diverse learning styles and needs.
• Promote curiosity, collaboration, and problem-solving among students.
• Develop authentic relationships and foster a caring, inclusive culture.

Skills

Mentoring

Youth development

Relationship building

STEM education

Student engagement

Education

Associate’s degree preferred

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

About Philadelphia Academies, Inc.

Since 1969, Philadelphia Academies, Inc. (PAI) has believed that every young person deserves more than access to school. They deserve access to opportunity.

For more than five decades, PAI has partnered with schools, employers, higher education institutions, and community organizations to prepare young people for successful futures through career-connected learning, workforce development, and student success initiatives. Today, our work spans middle school, high school, workforce development, and postsecondary success, helping students build the skills, relationships, and experiences that lead to economic mobility.

Through funding provided by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency's BOOST Initiative, PAI is expanding this work by launching an innovative Extended School Day program that combines STEM education, mentoring, and career-connected learning to support middle school students during the critical after-school hours. The program is designed to provide engaging, hands-on learning experiences while strengthening the protective relationships and developmental experiences that help young people thrive.

Position Summary

Philadelphia Academies is seeking passionate, relationship-driven STEM & Student Success Facilitators to help launch this exciting new initiative at Feltonville Middle School.

This is much more than an after-school teaching position.

Our facilitators serve as educators, mentors, coaches, and champions for young people. They create engaging learning experiences that spark curiosity while helping students develop the confidence, relationships, and life skills necessary for long-term success.

Using the nationally recognized Woz Ed STEM curriculum, facilitators will guide students through collaborative, project-based learning experiences in robotics, engineering, animation, drones, and other emerging technologies. Just as importantly, they will help students develop perseverance, teamwork, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills while introducing them to future educational and career possibilities.

Research consistently demonstrates that middle school represents one of the most important developmental periods in a young person's life. High-quality after-school programming provides structured learning environments, caring adult relationships, and engaging experiences during the hours when youth are most vulnerable to disengagement and community violence. Through this work, STEM & Student Success Facilitators play a critical role in helping students build brighter futures.

What You'll Do

Inspire Curiosity

Create engaging STEM learning experiences that encourage exploration, creativity, innovation, and critical thinking. Responsibilities include:

• Facilitate hands-on lessons using the Woz Ed STEM curriculum.
• Guide students through collaborative projects in robotics, engineering, animation, drones, and other STEM disciplines.
• Adapt instruction to meet varying learning styles and developmental needs.
• Encourage curiosity, experimentation, and creative problem solving.

Build Meaningful Relationships

Create a learning environment where students feel known, respected, encouraged, and supported. Responsibilities include:

• Develop authentic relationships with middle school students.
• Foster a culture of belonging where every student feels welcomed and valued.
• Encourage positive peer interactions and teamwork.
• Serve as a trusted adult who models professionalism, empathy, and respect.

Develop Student Success Skills

Support students in building the habits and competencies that contribute to success in school, careers, and life. Responsibilities include:

• Reinforce communication, collaboration, perseverance, leadership, and resilience. Encourage responsible decision-making and constructive conflict resolution.
• Celebrate student growth and accomplishments.
• Help students recognize their strengths and future potential.

Connect Learning to the Future

Help students understand how today's learning connects to tomorrow's opportunities. Responsibilities include:

• Integrate career awareness into daily STEM instruction.
• Support guest speakers, career exploration activities, and industry partnerships.
• Help students connect classroom learning to real-world applications.
• Encourage students to envision future pathways through high school, postsecondary education and STEM careers.

Create Safe, Engaging Learning Environments

Help create a structured after-school environment where students can learn, grow, and thrive. Responsibilities include:

• Prepare instructional materials and STEM equipment.
• Maintain organized and engaging learning spaces.
• Monitor attendance and student participation.
• Follow all school and organizational safety expectations.
• Support positive student behavior using restorative and relationship-centered practices whenever possible.

Collaborate as One Team

The success of this program depends upon teamwork. Responsibilities include:

• Participate in required Woz Ed training and ongoing professional learning.
• Collaborate with the Program Coordinator and fellow facilitators.
• Communicate professionally with school staff, families, and PAI leadership.
• Contribute ideas that continuously improve the student experience.

What We're Looking For

Successful candidates will demonstrate many of the following:

Education

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred.
• College students pursuing education, STEM, engineering, technology or related fields are encouraged to apply.

Experience

• Experience working with middle school youth.
• Experience in education, youth development, after-school programming, summer camps, mentoring or community organizations preferred.
• Experience facilitating group activities or project-based learning is highly desirable.

Knowledge & Skills

• Passion for working with young people.
• Interest in STEM education and technology.
• Strong communication and relationship building skills.
• Ability to engage groups of middle school students.
• Strong classroom management or youth group facilitation experience.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team.
• Commitment to educational equity and student success.
• Bilingual in Spanish is a bonus but not required

The Kind of Person Who Thrives Here

• Believe deeply in the potential of every young person.
• Love making learning active, creative, and engaging.
• Build trust quickly with students.
• Lead with patience, consistency, and empathy.
• Find joy in watching young people discover what they are capable of.
• Believe relationships are as important as curriculum.
• See mistakes as opportunities for growth.
• Bring positive energy into every room they enter.

Working Conditions

This position operates primarily during the school's Extended School Day program. Specific workdays, hours, and program schedules will be determined prior to program launch and may vary throughout the school year based on program needs.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to actively supervise middle school students.
• Ability to move throughout classrooms and instructional spaces.
• Ability to lift and transport instructional materials and STEM equipment.
• Ability to participate in hands-on instructional activities.

Required Clearances

Employment is contingent upon successfully obtaining and maintaining all required clearances, including:

• Pennsylvania Criminal History Clearance
• Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance
• FBI Criminal Background Check (when applicable)
• Any additional clearances required by the School District of Philadelphia or Philadelphia Academies, Inc.

Compensation

This position is compensated at $20 per hour for up to 12 hours per week over 32 weeks of the school year. Compensation will be paid on a biweekly basis in accordance with PAI's regular payroll schedule.

At the maximum 12 hours per week, this represents up to 384 hours and $7,680 in total compensation over the 32-week period.