Interaction Developer, Graph Specialist (contractor)

A pioneer in K–12 education since 2000, Amplify is leading the way in next-generation curriculum and assessment. Our core and supplemental programs in ELA, math, and science engage all students in rigorous learning and inspire them to think deeply, creatively, and for themselves. Our formative assessment products help teachers identify the targeted instruction students need to build a strong foundation in early reading and math. All of our programs provide educators with powerful tools that help them understand and respond to the needs of every student. Today, Amplify serves more than 10 million students in all 50 states. For more information, visit amplify.com.

Amplify is developing and customizing a new K-12 math curriculum that is (1) consistent with a student-centered, problem based pedagogical philosophy, (2) supports students and teachers in developing positive math identities, (3) demonstrates the utility, power, and beauty of math, (4) builds inclusive classroom communities that celebrate diversity, and (5) assists educators in orchestrating productive mathematical discussions.

Interaction Developer, Graph Specialist, is a highly technical, collaborative, and creative role. Graph specialists work closely with content experts, designers, computation layer (CL) specialists, editors, and others to ideate interaction ideas, then bring those ideas to life, using mathematics as a coding tool within the Desmos graphing calculator. The role can be thought of in many ways as a cross between software engineering and interaction design. Graph specialists must problem solve and think through difficult logical tangles daily in order to deliver their graphs. They understand that the hard work of creating delightful K-12 interactions is challenging and requires passion, an open mind, and recognition of the talent in others. They collaborate with skill and humility.

This role is a great fit for you if you enjoy spending significant time in the Desmos graphing calculator; have strong opinions about what makes an interaction intuitive, delightful, and visually appealing; and can help us understand the perspectives of people who are historically excluded in mathematics, education, or technology. You love learning new things, relish a challenge, and take satisfaction not only in elegant solutions, but also in the creative journey along the way.

Amplify’s COVID-19 vaccination policy requires all staff to provide proof of vaccination for in-person meetings unless an approved exemption is provided.

Responsibilities Of a Graph Specialist

Build Delightful Student Experiences

Participate in cross-functional ideation sessions with your project team.Contribute to the development of Amplify’s digital education products by creating new interactions in the graphing calculator. This includes interactions you adapt from your colleagues’ ideas and interactions you adapt from your own ideas.Optimize the performance of graphs so that they run smoothly across diverse hardware capabilities because all learners deserve seamless experiences, regardless of device limitations.Use our Computation Layer language in a lightweight way to connect Desmos graphs to other components in the Desmos Activity Builder. Collaborate with CL specialists to handle more complex scenarios.Work closely with Design and Illustration to produce the highest levels of usability and delight.

Collaboration And Communication

Join other graph specialists in steadily leveling up the team’s graphing skills by sharing best practices, discussing challenging problems, and reviewing animations and interactions in existing lessons.Receive, synthesize, and strategically implement feedback from other team members to improve and polish your graphs.Offer feedback in written form and also via video chat because conversation is a natural way humans think together.

Continuous Learning And Innovation

Explore the boundaries of what’s possible with our technology and offer feedback to the product and engineering teams to help drive future development of our tools.Learn about Amplify and Desmos’s philosophies for technology, design, pedagogy, accessibility, and equity.Identify ways that our approach to equity (see resources below) can further inform our work, in terms of the products we make, the processes we use to make them, and the ways we interact with our teammates.Support and be supported by the rest of the team throughout your tenure at Amplify.

Qualifications Of a Graph Specialist

3+ years of experience teaching mathematics in K-12 classroomsBasic proficiency in the Desmos Graphing Calculator (or a related graphing tool) with lists, sliders, polygons, restrictions, and parametric equationsExcellent problem solving skillsAlignment to team and company values around technology, design, pedagogyShared commitment to team efforts around accessibility and equity workBachelor’s Degree

Preferred (but Not Required) Qualifications Of a Graph Specialist

5+ years of experience teaching mathematics in K-12 classroomsHigh proficiency in using the Desmos graphing calculator

If you don’t meet all of the qualifications listed above, but believe you still may be a great fit for the role, please apply! We know that historically marginalized and underrepresented groups are less likely to apply when they don’t meet every qualification. We are dedicated to creating a diverse, equitable workplace, so if you are excited about this job, we encourage you to apply! You may be the right candidate for this job, or for another position within the company.

Compensation

The hourly rate range for this role is $40.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. To that end, we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.

Amplify is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.

This position may be funded, in whole or in part, through American Recovery & Reinvestment Act funds.

Amplify Education, Inc. is an E-Verify participant.

Key Skills

• CSS