Program Lead, Math

About Primer

Primer is a growing network of K–8 schools restoring the timeless foundations of American education. Inspired by the original teaching primers that shaped a nation of readers, thinkers, and builders, our schools begin with what has always worked, and build for what lies ahead. Close-knit learning environments. Skilled educators. A culture that takes kids seriously as learners and leaders.

Primers shaped the first 200 years of American children. Primer will ready them for the next.

About the role

Primer's 3-8 math program runs almost entirely through learning software: kids move through core math instruction primarily via math apps, with virtual teachers layered in for the live support, motivation, and problem-solving those apps can't provide on their own. This role owns that program — choosing and sequencing the right apps, building the instructional model around them, and leading the team of virtual math teachers.

You'll be the in-house expert on 3-8 math at Primer: someone who knows the landscape of math apps and adaptive platforms, has real opinions about which ones move kids forward and why, and can turn both into a program that holds up across a network of small campuses. This is a remote, collaborative role on the broader Academic curriculum team, with quarterly travel to campuses to see the program in action. You’ll also play a key role in shaping the long-term strategy for 3–8 math at Primer, balancing strong execution of today’s program with forward-thinking about how our math model should evolve.

Responsibilities

• Own the 3-8 math academic program

• Make and document curriculum decisions across 3-8 math, including learning software and all instructional materials that drive the program

• Build and maintain the Primer Math Learning Continuum that ties math apps together into one coherent pathway, partnering with the K-2 Lead where the two bands meet

• Design and support training for Primer Leaders and virtual math teachers on the program and how to run it well

• Stay current on math apps and adaptive learning tools — new platforms, what the research says, what's actually working elsewhere — so program decisions are well-informed

• Think proactively about how to maintain program quality and consistency as Primer scales

• Regularly analyze student performance data and program usage data to understand what’s working, identify gaps, and use those insights to drive decisions about the 3-8 math program

• Manage the virtual math teaching team

• Manage a team of virtual math teachers who provide live instruction and support across campuses

• Set clear expectations for what strong virtual math teaching looks like inside the Primer model, and give direct, useful feedback to improve their instruction

• Collaborate across the curriculum team

• Work closely with other members of the Academic team to ensure coherence and continuity across the K-8 experience, especially at the K-2/3-8 handoff

• Partner with the Director of Campus Teams and Head of Training to understand what's happening on the ground and translate that into program adjustments and improved training

• Report to and operate in close partnership with the Director of Academics

• Shape the 3-8 math experience in our Primer operating system

• Serve as an active partner to the product team on 3-8 math features and app integrations — contributing to design discussions, giving feedback, piloting new tools before broader rollout

• Flag issues and gaps in how Primer.com supports the math program and advocate for solutions

• Stay connected to campuses

• Travel quarterly (at minimum) to observe the math program in action

• Build relationships with Primer Leaders and virtual math teachers to understand how the program is landing and where support is needed

What we're looking for

• Bachelor's degree

• At least 5 years of experience teaching or leading math instruction in grades 3-8

• Experience managing or coaching teachers

• Experience designing, strategically shaping, or improving a math program not just delivering one

• Experience with adaptive or mastery-based math programs

• Expertise in math instruction and learning software

• Deep knowledge of 3-8 math: how kids build math understanding across these grades, and what a strong software-driven model looks like in practice

• Hands-on familiarity with major math learning apps and adaptive platforms with a clear point of view on which ones work and why

• You genuinely believe well-designed learning software can drive core math instruction

• 2+ years of relevant experience in curriculum, instructional design, or a closely related role

Strong people management, collaboration, and communication

• Experience managing a team, with the ability to set clear expectations and give direct, useful feedback

• You work well across a small, distributed team and can manage your own time and priorities without heavy oversight

• You're comfortable giving and receiving direct feedback

Remote work + travel

• You do your best work independently and don't need daily in-person collaboration to stay effective

• You're genuinely interested in seeing your work in action and willing to travel quarterly to campuses to make that happen

Nice to Have

• Experience in a charter, microschool, or non-traditional school environment

• Experience managing a remote or distributed team of teachers

Primer is a mission-first company. We believe our mission is the highest-leverage way we can create positive change. In service of that, we keep work centered on mission execution and avoid social or political activism at work that’s unrelated to the mission. If that energizes you, we’d love to see you apply.