This is a contracted position from February–July 2026, with possibility to extend for the following fiscal year.

Commitment: Anticipated 20-30 hrs/week with more during peak visit months

Location: Remote w/ travel for 10–12 school visits

Compensation: $150/hr for 600-750 hours. All related travel costs will be reimbursed promptly

What You’ll Do:

Lead a complex, high-priority research and synthesis project focused on understanding the pedagogical strengths, risks, and instructional implications of student-facing AI-enabled tools in K–12 education. This role requires deep instructional knowledge, deep and quick application of learning about and qualitative analysis across technical and instructional approaches. The role requires exceptional synthesis and communication skills to produce clear, accessible, and credible public learning artifacts that advance the organization’s mission and impact on students.

Responsibilities:

Research & Data Collection

• Collaborate with organizational partners to refine and finalize interview protocols, classroom observation tools, and data-collection templates
• Conduct or join 10–12 school visits (February–May 2026), including live observation of AI-supported instruction, teacher/student/super-user interviews, and field notes capturing instructional practices, student thinking, and AI interactions
• Conduct interviews with 20+ product teams, performing deep dives on AI model training, LLM architecture, content sourcing and alignment, pedagogical commitments, and known student-impact evidence and research approach
• Review and analyze available research for all products observed
• Manage consent processes, ethical data use, confidentiality, redaction, and data governance across all school visits and interviews

Synthesis & Writing

• Lead qualitative synthesis across interviews, observations, artifacts, and product research to identify patterns, instructional “jobs,” risks, and strengths
• Draft and edit product profiles (20+ tools), cross-cutting essays (e.g., patterns across math tools, risks across ELA tools, teacher-role shifts, whole-school model insights, LLM training themes), and short-form public communications
• Co-own the evolving evidence database to be organized by product, use cases, instructional strengths/risks, LLM training approach, and district implementation patterns

Communications & Publication

• Partner with the communications team to shape usable, clear public learning artifacts (website content, essays, videos, briefs)
• Ensure all writing is accessible to instructional leaders and credible to technologists

Candidate Qualifications and Traits:

• 7+ years of professional experience in education, research, or a related field
• Demonstrates deep instructional expertise: Possesses a comprehensive understanding of what constitutes high-quality K–12 instruction in math and English Language Arts (ELA)
• Applies qualitative research methods: Proven experience in designing and executing qualitative research, including field observations, structured interviews, and synthesis of diverse data sources
• Analyzes AI/EdTech design and use: Ability to analyze product design choices, including Large Language Model (LLM) selection, data curation, training/testing approaches, and prompt engineering, with hands-on experience and demonstrated curiosity about AI-enabled instructional tools
• Synthesizes complex information: Exceptional writing skills and the ability to synthesize raw notes and disparate information types into crisp product profiles, coherent thematic essays, and clear instructional implications for diverse audiences
• Models core values and adaptability: Operates with a deep commitment to instructional quality and equitable outcomes for all students, balancing skepticism and optimism, and demonstrating high collaboration, flexibility, and comfort with rapid learning cycles

Instruction Partners provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Instruction Partners complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Our Vision

All students experience an excellent education that prepares them to contribute to their community, achieve economic security, and pursue their dreams.

Our Mission

We strengthen instructional leadership in schools, school systems, and states to ensure teachers have the support they need to improve learning experiences and learning outcomes for students - with attention to students of color, students experiencing poverty, multilingual learners, and students with disabilities.