Urban Arts is a national nonprofit that teaches digital game design as a pathway to college and career. We operate across 16 states and we annually serve 4,000+ students from low-income communities who don’t always see themselves in tech. Game design is our hook to open doors into computer science, STEM careers, and college.
Our programs include:
Game On - AP Computer Science Principles curriculum that utilizes Unity, paired with professional development for educators
Game Academy - flagship out-of-school time game design program for high school students
Creative Coders - Middle school Minecraft-based computer science curriculum paired with professional development for educators
Community Schools - K–12 schools across New York, where we help identify and coordinate wraparound services while also providing arts and technology based programming
About the Role
We are looking for a strategic, creative thinker at the intersection of artificial intelligence, computer science education, and learning design to help shape the future of how students experience CS at Urban Arts. The role will be responsible for driving the strategic integration of AI into the teaching and learning ecosystem, ensuring ethical AI use, academic integrity and deep learning, and a strong awareness of skills students need to succeed in their educational journeys and careers.
Central to this work is programming such as Game On, Urban Arts’ high school curriculum for computer science. This program is at an inflection point as the CS education landscape evolves rapidly around AI, and this person will help ensure Game On stays ahead of that curve. In addition to being a core thought partner and curriculum partner to Game On, you will be a resource across Urban Arts programs: helping us build CS learning experiences that are rigorous, relevant, and designed for students from communities who have historically been left out of tech.
This role requires deep CS education expertise, a strong grasp of how AI is changing education and society, and the ability to translate both into experiences that work for real teachers and real students, using firsthand educator perspective. You will be the voice in the room that keeps our work grounded in pedagogical reality: what students actually need, what teachers can actually use, and what works when lesson plans meet a real class.
Integration & Innovation
Serve as Urban Arts’ key thought partner on how AI can and should be meaningfully integrated into CS learning for students and teachers alike, with a special focus on Game On
Identify high-impact AI use cases grounded in the diverse needs of public schools across the United States
Prototype lightweight AI-powered classroom experiences, resources and tools, as appropriate
Support teacher professional development, helping educators understand and integrate AI and CS concepts with confidence
Stay current on the AI landscape and help Urban Arts make thoughtful, strategic decisions about where to invest
Bridge the gap between vision and what’s practical, engaging, and effective for students and teachers on the ground
Pedagogical Leadership
Serve as the pedagogical advisor for Urban Arts curriculum with a focus on AI/CS
Audit Urban Arts curriculum to identify opportunities for AI integration, and partner on the design and continuous improvement of learning experiences across Urban Arts pathways, focusing on Game On (AP CSP through Unity) with additional supports for Creative Coders (middle school CS through Minecraft), Game Academy, Community Schools, and any new programs
Identify opportunities to deepen engagement, accessibility, and real-world relevance across the curriculum
Collaborate with educators, students, and program staff to prototype, test, and iterate
Build trust and credibility with the teachers and school partners we work with
Ensure all work centers equity and the needs of students from communities historically underrepresented in tech
Cross-Program Collaboration
Support broader Urban Arts programs in thinking about how CS and AI intersect with game design and student pathways
Build shared frameworks, resources, and practices that can scale across the organization
Required
Classroom experience: you have taught, and that informs everything you do (teaching certification a plus)
Deep experience in computer science education through curriculum design, teaching, or program leadership
Strong understanding and experience with AI tools and capabilities, particularly their application in education
Comfort moving from idea → prototype → classroom testing, with an enthusiasm for iteration
Strong communication skills; able to build trust with educators while also speaking the language of program and product teams
Strong communication and collaboration skills across technical and non-technical teams
Commitment to equity and expanding access in CS education
Ability to receive and process deliveries of materials weighing up to 25 lbs
Willingness to travel for site visits as appropriate
Must be able to complete and pass an NYC DOE background check
Preferred
Familiarity with game design tools and environments such as Unity
Experience supporting teacher professional development or coaching
What Success Looks Like
CS learning experiences that are even more engaging and relevant for Urban Arts students
Teachers around the country feel supported, confident, and equipped to bring CS and AI into their classrooms
Validated AI use cases grounded in real classrooms and real student needs
Scalable concepts ready to grow with our programs
Students who feel more capable, more confident, and more like they belong in CS
Why This Role Matters
Urban Arts has always believed that the right entry point changes everything. Game design opened a door that traditional CS education left closed. This role ensures we keep building on that foundation with the educator credibility, AI fluency, and learning design expertise necessary to make sure our programs remain as effective.
Why Work at Urban Arts?
Hybrid work environment (WFH + Office or Assigned School/Location)
Medical, Dental, Vision, Short and Long Term Disability Insurance
Generous PTO benefits
401k Retirement Plan + Company Match
To Apply, email a cover letter, resume, and a sample lesson plan or curriculum samples that you have personally developed to programjobs@urbanarts.org.
Urban Arts is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, people with disabilities, and others who are underrepresented in the technology and education sectors.
Must be eligible to work in the U.S.
Requirements
Required
Classroom experience: you have taught, and that informs everything you do (teaching certification a plus)
Deep experience in computer science education through curriculum design, teaching, or program leadership
Strong understanding and experience with AI tools and capabilities, particularly their application in education
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