RESPONSIBILITIES
NIU STEM Outreach works with two educational districts within Beijing, China, to increase student engagement in STEM and improve problem solving abilities among their students. Our NIU STEM teachers in China work in middle schools or community educational centers to teach Hands-On STEM in English to students in grades 5-9. We are wrapping up our pilot year and looking for five additional teachers to join our returning teacher for one year.

REQUIRED SKILLS
• Licensed educator with a primary or secondary certification, preferably with endorsements in middle school and at least one STEM topic
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a STEM or education field
• Ability to make a commitment to begin employment July 10, 2016, in DeKalb, IL, and work through June 2017
• Must pass fingerprinted background check with the FBI or State Police or provide notarized copies of a recent background check meeting the same criteria
• Ability to secure (with our assistance) a Visa to work in China
• One year of work experience. Summer and part time experience can be combined to satisfy this requirement
• Love of creating solutions and exploring science
• Demonstrated skills with educational technology
• Experience working with children or teens
• Demonstrated classroom management skills

PREFERRED SKILLS
• Experience in informal education or recreational settings
• Engaging personality
• Desire to work in and learn from another culture
• For elementary education applicants, additional coursework or experience in a STEM field
• Ability to improvise in the classroom when needed
• Experience working with teams of students on a STEM competition

Selected applicants will begin work at the NIU DeKalb campus on July 10, 2016, for four weeks of paid, pre-departure training. During the four weeks, the teachers will work Monday through Friday with our summer residential programs and participate in professional development on engineering design and hands-on inquiry in the classroom, as well as learn about Beijing and what to expect living there. Room and board is provided Sunday evening through Friday during this period.

STEM teachers in one of the two districts will fly to Beijing before August 15, 2016, for two weeks of paid professional development with the principals of the schools where the teachers will be placed. Our STEM teachers will assist with professional development while participating as learners. Economy air transportation is provided to Beijing at the beginning of the program and back to Chicago after the academic year is over.

All STEM teachers will begin classroom work in Beijing near the beginning of September. Holidays and time off follow the Chinese academic year calendar with the exception of two additional days off for Christmas.