FutureMakers is a growing team of maker education coaches - makers who teach, and teachers who make - with active practices as designers, tinkerers, artists, technologists, and exceptional educators. We partner with organizations and schools throughout the DC, MD, VA area to provide immersive, K - 8 learning labs where young makers play, experiment, and innovate with real tools and technologies, in material-rich environments. Our in- and out-of-school-time learning experiences foster essential connections between young makers and and visiting experts, inspiring young people to see themselves as innovators, ready to reimagine and design the world around them. FutureMakers coaches use their passions and expertise to design and build original workshops for diverse and varying communities, facilitating innovative, safe and active maker spaces for young people.

We encourage our coaches to follow their passions in and out of the classroom environment, using their own interests and skills to connect with young people. We’re seeking makers and educators who consider themselves experts in technologies, fabrication traditions, STEAM and maker education, and are ready to grow unique learning experiences that will change how a young person sees themselves in the world! We believe kids make things better.

Levels Taught:
1st - 8th grades, in- or out-of-school time settings.

Class size:
Minimum 5, maximum 20.

Instructional Team:

Although many of our partner sites are facilitated by single coaches, FutureMakers coaches often work together as co-facilitators at sites with larger teams of young makers, or have specifically requested multiple experts on site. Co-coaches work together to combine their individual passions into the creation of unique workshop plans, which develop and evolve throughout the workshop duration. Together, you will plan, instruct, and assess your project's progress. On site, you report to our partner site manager. You are expected to communicate effectively with partner sites, FutureMakers staff, and the students you facilitate, using their feedback to guide the quality and improvements of your workshop. Instructional teams encouraged to apply!

Class Schedules:

We develop programs that take place in community centers, libraries, schools and community sites. The majority of our programs take place in the after-school hours of 3:00 - 7:00 PM, but some take place outside of those hours, or on weekend days. Schedules are planned and discussed in advance, and are fixed. Highly eligible coaches will have the opportunity to teach in our immersion labs, an in-school program that pairs maker educators with public school teachers.

Position Type:

Part-time; 10-20 hours per week depending on experience

Compensation:

Coaches typically start at $15, but rates can vary based on experience. There are opportunities to grow within the role to earn as much as $25. Coaches are presented compensation packages that reflect the total work that goes into the prepping, planning, traveling, and teaching for each program they work. We offer flexible schedules, and all team members choose coaching opportunities that fit their schedule and areas of expertise.

Job Requirements/Responsibilities:

• Readiness to apply your skills as a Maker-Educator to plan, prep, and present workshops that include digital fabrication, product design, basic electronics, traditional woodworking, manufacturing technology, soft circuits and sculpture, sewing, physical computing and a range of tinkering and experimental programs. Please visit our website for examples of current workshops.
• Must be adaptable, flexible, and enthusiastic while interacting with groups of elementary and middle school students in informal settings.
• Ability to assess your progress and troubleshoot challenges.
• Ability to work collaboratively with an co-facilitator
• Reliable transportation - the majority of sites we serve are not accessible by public transportation.
• Pack and transport supplies to partner sites. Organize and request workshop-specific material needs
• Afternoon availability, on school days and some weekends (all scheduling is agreed in advance).

Candidate requirements:

• 1+ years of in-classroom or community instructional / coaching experience, education students encouraged to apply.
• Familiarity with elementary and / or middle school student needs and interests.
• Experience as a maker in a variety of media - a huge plus.
• Description or images of your skills as a maker - engineer, technologist, tinkerer, woodworker, fabricator, sculptor, visual artist or craftsperson.
• Excellent interpersonal skills - with youth, peers, supervisors and parents.
• WIllingness to pack and transport supplies to partner sites. Attention to details and organization in requesting and planning for material needs.
• References that tell your story as a teacher / maker - your students, supervisors or other instructors.