UW Robinson Center for Young Scholars

Position Description: 

Undergraduate Academic Affairs (UAA) shapes, advances, and stewards a world-class undergraduate academic experience for students at the University of Washington. Staff, faculty, and students in UAA deepen and enrich the learning experience for all undergraduates, recognizing and supporting each individual student's unique learning path and committing each academic program to excellence in learning and teaching.

Within UAA, The Halbert and Nancy Robinson Center for Young Scholars (RC) at the University of Washington's mission is threefold: teaching, research, and service. The RC is a leader in the nation for developing programs that serve highly capable young pre-college and college students.

The Halbert and Nancy Robinson Center for Young Scholars offers two summer enrichment programs: Summer Challenge, a 3-week program (Mon-Fri, July 7th-25th 2025) for students currently in the 5th-6th grade, and Summer Stretch, a 4-week program (Mon-Thurs, July 1st- 24th 2025) for students currently in the 7th-10th grade. The position will begin on April 1, 2025, with an expected end date of July 31, 2025.    

The Robinson Center is seeking instructors to design and teach enrichment courses that offer highly capable students a fast-paced and challenging immersive learning experience. The Summer Program Instructor will report directly to the Director of Enrichment and Professional Development. This position is grounded in our core values: honor and sustain the multiplicity of identities that enter the classroom; design and maintain inclusive learning environments that benefit all; and ensure emotional and physical well-being. With these values in mind, instructors will be responsible for creating and preparing culturally and linguistically sustaining curricula and teaching materials prior to the beginning of classes. 

Instructors are required to submit the following course documents by May 2, 2025: welcome letter, syllabus, field trip requests, and supply list. Instructors will be required to attend two professional development events (May 14  and June 2, 2025) and an orientation event (June 25, 2025). When classes are in session, instructors will be responsible for day-to-day class instruction (classes run from 9 am until 2:20 pm), directing and utilizing instructional assistants, supporting and responding to diverse learning needs, and weekly and final individual progress reports.

Teaching & Learning: Planning, Instruction & Assessment - 85%

  • Maintaining a safe and inclusive classroom environment for a diverse population of students;
  • Designing and developing course curriculum with the advice of the Program Director and the instructional coach; 
  • Preparing all course materials, including but not limited to family welcome letters, syllabus, assignments, lesson plans, and supply lists;
  • Preparing and delivering classroom instruction;
  • Coordinating all field trips;
  • Creating weekly class newsletters to be sent to families;
  • For Stretch Program: assessment of each student's progress, including timely completion of final transcripts.

Program Support, Administrative & Professional Development - 15%

  • Attending all required professional development training (two virtual events during the Spring quarter);
  • Attending staff orientation prior to the start of the Summer Program (an in-person event at the end of June);
  • Completing all required training from the UW’s Office of the Youth Protection; Coordinator


Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree and 4 years of professional experience in subject matter;
  • Ability to attend all class sessions and staff training;
  • Ability to work collaboratively with Robinson Center and Summer Program staff.

Desired Qualifications

  • Experience working with academically advanced and highly motivated students; 
  • Experience working with K-12 youth;
  • Experience working with neurodiverse individuals.

Conditions of Employment:

A satisfactory outcome from criminal background verification is required prior to hire.

The Robinson Center is committed to providing a safe and welcoming space to people of all genders, religions, national origins, races, disabilities, sexual orientations, ethnicities, and documentation statuses. We will not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind.

Questions should be sent to rcsummer@uw.edu