Description

BootUp is looking for a passionate and highly skilled Computer Science Professional Development Specialist. This role involves conducting district-wide PD for K-5 teachers, designing equitable, inclusive, and culturally responsive curriculum, and creating PD that integrates BootUp’s equity framework (IntersectCS) with foundational CS concepts and computational thinking skills.
We seek candidates who excel in the following essential areas:
Equity-Centered Beliefs and Practices: Applicants will have a strong track record of creating equitable and inclusive learning environments and curriculum based on culturally responsive practices to promote and broaden participation in CS. Ideal candidates will possess a deep understanding of the barriers historically marginalized students face and how inclusive CS education can empower these students.
CS Curriculum and PD Expertise: The role requires proficiency in K-12 CS including programming, artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity concepts with experience integrating research-based strategies to make technical content accessible and engaging for elementary educators. Candidates will be skilled reviewing and contributing to CS curriculum and PD aligned to BootUp’s equity frameworks.
Professional Leadership in CS Education: We value leaders who bring innovation to CS initiatives and are able to collaborate with diverse participants and key partners. Applicants will be skilled in working seamlessly across teams with a focus on organizational growth and sustainability and have demonstrated resilience in addressing and dismantling barriers to CS education.
The CSPD Specialist collaborates with key leadership to ensure alignment of curriculum, instruction and PD efforts with BootUp’s mission to promote equity and access to quality CS education to elementary students in every community in our nation. Candidates will demonstrate the ability to foster an adaptable, forward-thinking environment where new initiatives are embraced and effectively implemented to drive BootUp’s mission forward.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities
CSPD Specialists implement BootUp’s Professional Development: They

• Facilitate district-wide PD that builds teacher capacity and confidence in CS and computational thinking.
• Use data-driven approaches to continuously improve PD facilitation by
  • Collecting and analyzing qualitative and quantitative feedback
  • Iterating on instructional approaches based on evidence
  • Measuring impact on teacher growth and practice and student outcomes
• Provide instructional coaching that supports teachers in
  • Implementing BootUp’s curriculum effectively
  • Creating inclusive classroom environments
• Create and maintain district action plans that
  • Respond to local contexts and needs
  • Maintain clear communication channels
  • Track progress and impact
  • Support sustainable implementation
• In this position, the CSPD Specialist will contribute to CS curriculum development across disciplines (ELA, math, science, social studies, and the arts) that integrates BootUp's equity framework and reflects current industry trends.

Equity-Centered Beliefs and Practices

• Develop identity-affirming curricular resources that counter bias in CS education and ensure that BootUp’s curriculum and PD integrates culturally responsive strategies to promote equitable teaching and learning.
• Create learning environments that promote and broaden participation in CS education with students historically excluded in CS education.
• Adapt existing curricular materials to engage educators from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Maintain alignment with BootUp’s equity-based framework while meeting local community needs.

CS Curriculum and PD Expertise

• Implement high-quality CS curriculum in BootUp PD -- including programming, AI, and cybersecurity concepts – that
  
  • Demonstrates the progression of K-12 CS concepts -- linking early CS learning to middle school, high school, and post-secondary levels.
  • Aligns with BootUp’s equity-based framework, and national, state, and district standards.
  • Integrates CS concepts across multiple subject areas including ELA, math, science, social studies, and the arts.
  • Integrates current industry trends and technological advancements.
  • Maintains developmental appropriateness across elementary grade levels.
• Adapt curriculum and PD to meet local needs while maintaining fidelity to BootUp’s core values of equity and inclusion.
• Assist the Curriculum Development and PD Design Team to update or create BootUp CS resources for organizational programs.

Professional Leadership in CS Education

• Develop and represent BootUp values in maintaining professional relationships with key partners at the state and district levels
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including with the
  • Director of Educational Equity and Research to connect BootUp’s equity-based framework to curriculum, PD, and coaching experiences aiming to achieve positive outcomes.
  • Director of Business Development and Philanthropy Engagement Officer to support strategic partnerships, program continuity, and organizational sustainability.
• Manage multiple projects ensuring timely completion and adherence to high standards.
• Travel is required to conduct on-site PD workshops (20-40%), provide in-person support and promote equitable CS in assigned districts.

Cross Cutting Responsibilities

• Use quantitative and qualitative data to
  • Iterate on curriculum development and PD design
  • Monitor implementation effectiveness
  • Guide continuous improvement efforts
• Balance program fidelity with local adaptation by
  • Maintaining core model integrity
  • Responding to district-specific needs
  • Documenting successful adaptations
  • Sharing learning across the organization

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Computer Science, Education Technology or a related field; Teaching certification and Master’s degree preferred.
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), believing in equitable CS education for students in every community regardless of their background.
• Proven experience in teaching K-8 CS and/or experience in teaching 9-12 CS courses or online CS courses; or strong knowledge of research-based elementary teaching methods and familiarity with K-5 instructional needs, particularly in STEM and technology-focused subjects.
• Demonstrated knowledge of culturally responsive and inclusive teaching practices. Experience in developing equitable, culturally relevant, and forward-thinking curriculum that introduces young learners to foundational CS, AI, and cybersecurity concepts, preferred.
• Knowledge of research-based instructional coaching practices or mentoring teachers to implement inclusive pedagogy in the classroom, especially to counter barriers for students historically excluded in CS, including those from low-income, rural, and urban communities.
• Strong expertise in the Scratch coding platform. Additional experience in other programming languages prioritizing application for teacher professional development at the K-8 level; and/or to demonstrate the progression of CS concepts K-12 is a plus.
• Knowledge of applying foundational AI and cybersecurity concepts and resources integrated in CS teaching and learning in K-8 or K-12. Teaching experience with AI and cybersecurity K-12, ensuring age-appropriate, accessible content is preferred.
• Experience integrating CS concepts into various and multi-disciplinary subjects and adapting lessons to meet the diverse needs of students and educators.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills, with high emotional intelligence, empathy, and active listening abilities.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to balance multiple responsibilities effectively.
• Outstanding communication and writing skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Special education, ELL and/or multilingual experience is a plus.
• Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.

Personal Characteristics

• Commitment to BootUp’s Mission: Passionate about advancing educational equity and ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to learn and succeed in CS education.
• Visionary and Analytical Thinker: Able to envision long-term strategic goals while also paying attention to detail in execution and research.
• Collaborative & Relationship-Oriented: Able to foster a culture of inclusion, respect, and teamwork, and effectively engage with diverse internal and external partners.
• Professionalism and Positivity: Enthusiasm for creating a supportive, collaborative, and enjoyable workplace that promotes team growth, well-being, and success.
  Work Culture
• BootUp fosters a culture that prioritizes service to the students and educators historically excluded from STEM and CS opportunities, emphasizing passion for educational equity and commitment to our mission.
• We strive to reinforce our collective commitment to lifting communities by ensuring that students and educators receive high-quality, culturally responsive CS resources and learning experiences.
• We are motivated to positively impact the educational and career trajectories of millions of students and teachers in every community in our nation.
• BootUp embraces innovation and flexibility, adapting to new challenges to stay competitive and forward-thinking in our field.
• BootUp’s culture encourages self-reflection and alignment with the mission, asking staff to assess their commitment to the organization’s growth and impact.
• We harness the power of storytelling to shift mindsets and drive our work towards equity-focused outcomes, believing in the impact narratives can have on society.
• We are dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable work environment where professional relationships are built on trust, empathy, and respect. We believe a supportive workplace fosters team growth, well-being, and shared success.
• We bring enthusiasm, empathy, and adaptability to a role that prioritizes positive impact. We embrace a workplace culture that is mission-driven and enjoyable, where everyone’s contributions are valued.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary, commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Flexible, dynamic, equity-focused, and mission-driven environment.

Application Requirements

1. Candidates must submit an updated resume with a letter of interest.
2. Candidates must submit one of the following artifacts to demonstrate their skills and qualifications:
   • A 10-minute video showcasing a CS PD workshop and/or coaching session that they facilitated. Candidates must provide a summary of the video (up to 3 pages).
     • This can be an individually created video with clips of videos from multiple CS PD workshops, a programming project, a CS lesson, etc., and/or with the candidate discussing skills and qualifications. Please do not include a direct interview with another individual. Please do not submit videos that are longer than 10 minutes. Videos longer than 10 minutes will not be accepted.
   • A written report – up to 5 pages (e.g., describing a CS PD workshop, lesson plan, curriculum guide, coaching experience, etc.) and including a description of implementing an equity-based approach in CS educational experiences. Please do not submit a written report longer than 5 pages. Written reports can be less than 5 pages. Reports can be single or double spaced, with standard 1-inch margins, and font size 11 (Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman).
   • A 10-minute slide presentation that includes a CS PD session aligned with equity-based and/or inclusive frameworks or a CS PD workshop highlighting your skills and qualifications. It can include examples of CS lessons created and implemented with data outcomes in a PD workshop or a classroom. It must include notes on each slide. A video can be created with voice narration.

The purpose of the artifact is to demonstrate:

• Alignment with organizational goals to ensure teaching, curriculum, or coaching practices align with BootUp’s mission of equitable CS education for students historically marginalized in CS education.
• Understanding and implementation of equity-based frameworks in developing culturally responsive and inclusive CS curriculum and PD.
• Communication skills, verbal and/or written, ensuring they can effectively convey complex CS concepts in an understandable and engaging manner for diverse audiences.
• Instructional strategies promoting equitable learning opportunities in CS education.
• Practical skills (e.g., CS PD facilitation skills, curriculum development, coaching ability, etc.).

Applicants must submit a 1) letter of interest, 2) current resume, and 3) artifact as specified in the job description. The following are acceptable formats: PDF; Word; Power Point with notes on each slide; Google Slides (in PDF format or Power Point with notes on each slide. Links to Google slides will not be accepted); Video (A link to a video is acceptable. However, if we are not able to access the video, the application will be disqualified).
The letter of interest and resume must be submitted as an attachment. We will not accept a link to the letter of interest or resume. If you choose to submit a video, we will accept an attachment of a video file or a link to the video. If we are not able to access the video, the application will be disqualified. All other formats of the artifact must be submitted as an attachment. All documents must be sent to careers@bootuppd.org. Any missing documents will disqualify applicants from this submission process.

BootUp PD is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment and encourages individuals from historically marginalized communities to apply. BootUp PD is an E-Verify Participant and an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all federal laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender expression/identity, or protected veteran or disabled status and will not be discriminated against. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation regarding the accessibility of our website, a modification or adjustment of the job application or interview process due to a disability, contact careers@bootuppd.org. BootUp is a remote workplace. Relocation package is not provided.