Program instructor - gaming

Tufts University: University College

Location: Medford, Massachusetts

Description:

The Tufts University College Pre-College team is currently seeking a Program Instructor for our 1-week gaming program: Coding for Gaming, offered by Tufts' University College to rising High School sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduating seniors. "Coding for Gaming" is a fast-paced, immersive summer program that introduces high school students to the core principles of game development, interactive storytelling, and coding through the lens of professional game design. Students will gain hands-on experience designing, prototyping, and coding their own playable games. In just one week, students will explore the full game development pipeline-from concept to code-while learning about the collaborative roles of designers, developers, and storytellers in the gaming industry. The goal is for student to learn not just technical skills, but also creative problem-solving, playtesting, and game design. There is potential for this instructor to design their own curriculum and path for this program.

Time Commitment

Coding for Gaming will take place for 1-week: Monday, June 22-Friday, June 26, 2026. The Program Instructor can expect to work an average of 2-3 hours per week upon hire during the spring semester (expected to start late April) for pre-program planning, with full time hours during the 1-week June program.

• Program Planning: 2-3 hours/week from April-June (flexible days/times)
• Program Dates: June 22nd to June 26, 2025
• Program Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm with some preparation time before/after programming as needed

Compensation

The total compensation for the Coding Academy Program Instructor position, inclusive of all planning and program time, is $3,500 (standard summer instructor rate).

Responsibilities

As a Program Instructor, your duties include, but are not limited to:

Hiring/Payroll

• Identify guest speakers, recruit and hire instructional support positions

Program Preparation

• Place students into groups, set up Canvas, classroom sessions, other resources as needed

Program Planning

• Develops and refines Coding for Gaming curriculum, syllabus, and block schedule
• Designs summer program schedule, including field trips, as well as any opening and closing activities, in coordination with the Program Lead and Instructors

Operations

• Leads and instructs a group of students in an in-person instructional setting, maintaining high standards for behavior and safety from June 22nd to June 26th 2026.
• Attends all program events from June 22nd to June 26th 2026.
• Plans final project for students prior to program start with support of Program Lead
• Assists students who are struggling with course content and proactively supports them as needed
• Serves as a positive adult role model for members in the program through appropriate dress, speech, attitude, and courtesy
• Evaluates program daily and suggests improvements, needs, hazards and recurring trends to Program Lead for further evaluation
• Demonstrates reliability and punctuality by arriving on-time for all scheduled activities
• Ensures student attendance is monitored during programming, reporting on attendance to guarantee that proper safety procedures are followed
• Submits final grades in a timely manner in accordance with Tufts University deadlines
• Other duties as needed

Qualifications:

Required:

• Must be able to instruct students of varying skill and experience levels in multiple programs based on interest and ability
• Must demonstrate responsibility, a desire to help others, discretion, and flexibility
• Ability to work with students of diverse ethnic backgrounds, academic profiles, and skill levels
• Knowledge and ability to instruct students in coding languages (C#, JavaScript, Python, or other similar programming languages)
• Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and customer service skills (written and verbal)
• Adept critical thinking, process development, and operationalization. Strong attention to detail
• Excellent project management skills, prioritization abilities and navigation of tight deadlines
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Passion for learning and education

Preferred:

• Computer/Engineering/STEM/Education related majors or relevant experience
• Experience teaching high school or undergraduate students in coding and/or game design
• Familiarity with popular programming languages (Python, JavaScript, C++, C#, HTML/CSS)
• Game, web and/or app development experience using languages such as Swift and/or Blockly

Application Instructions:

Submit your resume and cover letter to be considered for this position. Please reach out to [email protected] with a subject line of: Coding for Gaming Program Instructor if you have any questions.

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