Join Our Student-Teacher Program
Our student teachers are a dedicated team of educators, led by Dr. Xue, a nationally award-winning professional with extensive expertise in education and research. They are typically high school or advanced middle school students focused on gaining teaching experience and professional development, rather than making profits. To learn more about our team, please click here.
If you're interested in joining our team, please first read Dr. Xue’s Letter to Student Teachers and our Student Teacher Success Guide to gain insight into our approach and expectations. Then, complete the application by following the guidelines below. Please note that we maintain high standards in teaching, and prior experience at other institutions does not automatically equate to credentials at our school.
Eligibility
To apply, you must be 13 years or older and meet the following criteria:
Advanced in math
Excellent communicators
Kind and considerate
Genuinely interested in helping others
Ready to learn
Familiarity with the Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) curriculum is a plus but not required.
This program is not a regular job but rather a paid training opportunity primarily for pre-college students. If you are a freshman or sophomore in college, you are welcome to apply, but acceptance is not guaranteed.
Based on our experience, parental affirmation and guidance play a crucial role in the success of student teachers. Please ensure that you have obtained full support and approval of your parents regarding your application.
Position Overview
Student teachers in our program engage in various tasks, including:
Private tutoring (K-12 Fundamental Math, AMC 8, MATHCOUNTS, Python)
Leading lectures for small-group elementary math classes
Co-teaching small-group middle school math and programming classes (Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Geometry, AMC 8, MATHCOUNTS, Python)
Serving as counselors for summer and winter break camps (Python, AMC 8)
Providing on-demand support, such as office hours
New student teachers typically begin with private tutoring and gradually take on small-group teaching responsibilities as they gain experience.
Why Teach?
Teaching is a powerful way to deepen your understanding of a subject while developing essential skills that will benefit you for a lifetime, including:
Communication
Patience
Empathy
Adaptability
Time management
Organizational skills
Creativity
Training and Support
Proficiency in mathematics does not automatically translate to effective teaching skills. In the past, we have had to reject USA(J)MO and MATHCOUNTS Nationals participants who did not demonstrate the teaching potential we seek. To help you meet and exceed the expectations of families, Dr. Xue will serve as your mentor, providing comprehensive training on how to effectively teach K-12 students. This training includes:
An extensive initial training session to help you start your first class
A brief training session each time you teach a new topic
An in-depth training session on student data management, Zoom classroom management, material sharing, course planning and coordination before your first small-group class
Ongoing coaching and support as needed throughout your teaching career with us
Please note that there is a fee for formal teacher training, which reflects the valuable support and resources provided.
Compensation
Compensation will begin after your official start. Private tutoring typically pays $20+ per hour, depending on the subject and teaching credential. For small-group classes on Pre-Algebra and Algebra 1 with 3–6 students, pay typically ranges from $30 to $40 per class. You must be at least 14 years old and authorized to work in the U.S. in order to receive payment.
Some student teachers choose to volunteer or combine volunteering with a paid position. As a token of our appreciation for your dedication, we offer volunteer certificates and provide guidance on professional development. We may also invite you to special school activities once you have settled into your new role.
Benefits
Student teachers actively teaching small-group lessons with 4+ students per week are eligible to enroll in up to two lessons per week at a 20% discount. Siblings may share this discount.
Application Process
There is a non-refundable $50 application fee and a formal interview process. The first stage of the interview includes: a list of problems to solve and preparation of a 5-10 minute teaching segment on any math topic of your choice. A letter of recommendation from a teacher is appreciated but not mandatory. A decision will be made within 24 hours after we receive all required application materials. If you pass this stage, you will be invited to schedule a 20-minute Zoom interview. We will notify you of our final decision within one week of the Zoom meeting. Our decision will be based not only on math qualifications but also on communication skills, attitude, and potential.
"When reviewing student teacher applications, I select candidates who meet the eligibility criteria, who are a good fit for our school culture, and who, through the growth and development fostered by our student teacher program, demonstrate the potential to earn my confidence and comfort in writing a supportive recommendation letter later on." — Dr. Xue
We believe that a formal interview is a valuable opportunity for professional growth. It is required for both paid positions and volunteer roles. The application fee helps cover part of the costs associated with the process and ensures we can focus on qualified candidates who are genuinely interested in learning through this position. It also helps maintain high teaching standards and ensures safety—an essential consideration when working with minors. Note: We reduced the application fee from $60 to $30 for a few months. However, this resulted in a high volume of unqualified applications, which proved to be a poor use of our time. As a result, we have decided to readjust the fee to $50. (April, 2025)
From A Past Student Teacher
“I really enjoyed my time teaching the students and being able to grow as a person myself and it was all thanks to you and your amazing guidance. This experience has truly taught me a lot of useful skills and lessons that will help me throughout my future and I am incredibly grateful for that.”
From A Student Teacher’s Mom
“It is a privilege for my child to work with you.”
After Acceptance To-Do List
Confirm Teaching Assignment
We will notify you once a teaching opportunity comes up, based on your qualifications, interests and availability. Please confirm your acceptance of the new role with us at your earliest convenience.
Obtain Textbook
Obtain the required textbook for your classes, along with the solutions manual. You can use your old books, borrow from friends, or purchase through our bookstore, where we offer discounts on many titles. We often have used copies to help reduce costs.
Prepare Equipment
Ensure you have an iPad or computer with a drawing tablet for teaching, along with an Apple Pencil or a compatible stylus. Drawing with a mouse or trackpad will not work effectively for our online lectures. Please confirm that your microphone and camera are functioning properly and providing clear audio and video. Dr. Xue uses a MacBook Pro to monitor classroom dynamics, an iPad Pro to share her screen, and a Blue Yeti Nano external microphone for her lectures.
Install and Master Note-Taking App
Download and install Notability (for iPad) or another note-taking app that suits your teaching needs. Notability requires a small annual subscription fee, while other apps may offer free versions. Dr. Xue prefers Notability for its simplicity, easy integration with Dropbox and Google Drive, and user-friendly interface. You are responsible for the cost of the app you choose to use. Once installed, familiarize yourself with the app’s key features, including pencil tools, erasers, highlighters, page settings, and import/export functions. Ensure that you are comfortable using these features to enhance your online teaching experience.
Setup Zoom and/or Google Meet
Zoom is our preferred platform for online teaching, offering features such as the whiteboard, recording, and chat capabilities. Our school provides Zoom Pro accounts for all small-group classes with 4 or more students, which require a monthly subscription. If you have been assigned a paid Zoom account, please ensure that both meeting settings and recording options are properly configured. For private or semi-private tutoring, a free Zoom Basic account (with a 40-minute limit) or a free Google Meet account (with a 1-hour limit) is typically sufficient.
Setup Dropbox and/or Google Drive
We use Dropbox to share curriculum materials between teachers and manage document sharing for private tutoring sessions. If you have not already done so, please set up your Dropbox account by following the instructions provided here. For small-group classes, we use Google Drive to store recordings and class notes, which are shared via Google Classroom, as it integrates more seamlessly with the platform. Please review the curriculum materials and student data that Dr. Xue is sharing with you through Dropbox and/or Google Drive.
Review Relevant Guides and Teaching Samples
For private tutoring, use Dr. Xue’s Private Lesson Guide as a reference.
For small-group classes, review the Group Lesson Success Guide that we provide to students.
If new students will be taking trial lessons with you, please ensure they follow the New Student Guide.
Familiarize yourself with the software and tools you’ll be using. Review the live class samples from us—including slides, recordings, and PDF notes—and learn how to structure your own materials and classes accordingly.
Schedule Teacher-Training
Before your first lesson, you are required to complete an initial training session with Dr. Xue. During this session, Dr. Xue will provide essential information about the teaching role and conduct a teaching demonstration to help you prepare for the first lesson. The duration of the session will be determined based on your experience and the complexity of the teaching role. Typically, the session lasts 30 minutes ($60) for high school student teachers and 45 minutes ($90) for middle school student teachers. Please review the Student Teacher Success Guide before the session and come prepared to ask and answer questions.
Prepare for Trial Lessons
Carefully study the class materials, including the textbook, videos, and homework problems. Please note that our videos often present more efficient methods than those found in the textbooks. Be sure to incorporate these approaches into your teaching so your classes remain consistent with the videos that all students are expected to use.
Rehearse your lesson with family or friends a few times to build confidence and fluency. Be prepared to address any questions or expectations from students and their parents to ensure a smooth and successful start.
Ensure that you share the Zoom or Google Meet link with students at least 24 hours before class time. This will give families enough time to prepare for the session. Double-check that your Zoom account is properly set up to accommodate the class structure. For detailed instructions on setting up and managing your Zoom account, please refer to the Small-Group Zoom Classroom Management Guide.
While the goal is to meet families’ expectations after just one trial lesson, we understand this may not always be possible. In some cases, two to three trial lessons may be needed before officially beginning. We will provide feedback after each trial, based on both family input and our own observations and judgment.
Pre-Class Reminders and After-Class Announcements
Pre-Class Reminder: Please send a pre-class reminder within 24 hours before the first class of a new session or whenever there is a special schedule (e.g., holiday, make-up classes, or time changes). For ongoing weekly classes, a reminder at the start of each new part/module (e.g., every 12 weeks) is a good practice. In your reminder, please include the class schedule and Zoom link to ensure families have all the necessary information. For students who are well-established in the course, you may skip reminders if they are confident in the schedule.
After-Class Announcements: Please send an after-class summary within 24 hours after each class to provide students and families with key takeaways, upcoming assignments, and any important notes.
Private Tutoring: You can choose to communicate with students and parents using either email or Google Classroom. If you opt for email, after each lesson, please upload your lesson notes to the shared Google Drive folder and send an email to the parent, copying (cc) Dr. Xue (drxue+teaching@xuemath.org), summarizing the content covered and the homework assigned. A summary email template can be found here. If you prefer Google Classroom, then just follow the guidelines for small-group classes outlined below.
Small-Group Classes: Use Google Classroom for all communications. After each lesson, send an announcement to briefly summarize the content covered and the homework assigned within 24 hours. Include links to the PDF note and the recording (if applicable) created during your lesson in your announcement. Click here for detailed instructions on making the announcements.
What to Expect After You Officially Land the Teaching Role
Complete Paperwork
Unless you are serving as a volunteer student teacher and not seeking payment, you will work as a contractor with Dr. Xue’s Math School LLC. Please sign your contract, complete the W-9 form, and email both documents to hr@xuemath.org before your first paid class. The information on your W-9 form will be used to generate your 1099 form and other required tax documents at the end of each year, as mandated by the IRS, once the threshold requirement is met.
Request Payments
You will be paid after your first official lesson (if desired), at the end of each calendar month, or biweekly if you teach multiple classes each week. We ask that student teachers submit invoices to payment@xuemath.org to ensure proper documentation and prevent missed payments. A sample invoice is available here, and you may use the invoice template in Google Sheets. Payments will be processed within 14 days of receiving the invoice, via Zelle or PDF check.
Get Featured on Our Website
Once you are settled into your teaching role, you may send your brief biography to info@xuemath.org to be featured on our website. Please include key information such as your educational background, teaching experience, relevant achievements, and a fun fact or hobby you enjoy outside of teaching (optional). To protect privacy, we only post the first name of our student teachers. We do not post photos.
Coaching and Support
Starting your first job is a rewarding experience, but it comes with its challenges. It's not only normal but expected to encounter issues that require adjustment, correction, and refinement as you develop your skills. Building an effective workflow and adapting to new responsibilities takes time, effort, and a willingness to learn from both successes and setbacks. Challenges are part of the learning process, and each one is an opportunity to build resilience, problem-solving skills, and adaptability—qualities that will serve you throughout your career. Regular feedback from families will help ensure continuous improvement. If there are areas to address, we’ll work with you directly to provide guidance. Additional training with Dr. Xue will be scheduled as needed to refine your skills.
Expectations
We believe in fostering an environment built on mutual trust and goodwill. As a student teacher, you are expected to approach your duties with a positive attitude, professionalism, and a commitment to upholding high standards throughout the agreed term.
Happy Teaching!