Middle School Learning Coach January 2026 Start Remote Full Time

Prisma is an online school for gifted middle school students (ages 10-14), offering a live, interactive, personalized homeschool program that emphasizes project-based learning, academic rigor, and social-emotional support in a fully remote environment. The Middle School Learning Coach role (January 2026 start, remote, full-time) supports students and families as a guide, facilitator, and community builder, ideal for early-career educators aged 18-25 seeking hands-on teaching experience without traditional classroom constraints.

Company Intelligence

Prisma, founded in 2019, is a small edtech startup (under 100 employees) specializing in innovative online education for gifted learners, positioning itself as a leader in personalized, asynchronous-sync hybrid homeschooling amid rising demand for flexible K-12 alternatives post-COVID. It has grown rapidly through venture funding (e.g., $7M Series A in 2021 from Reach Capital) and now serves hundreds of students globally, focusing on high-ability kids underserved by standard curricula. Recent expansions include cohort-based pods and AI-enhanced personalization tools, aligning with trends in affective intelligent tutoring systems that adapt to students' emotional states. Company culture emphasizes empathy, creativity, and learner-centered innovation, with a remote-first policy across all "offices" (no physical locations; fully distributed U.S.-based team). Core values include personalization, joyful rigor, and community, with a mission to "unlock every child's superpowers" through self-directed projects over rote learning.

Program Deep Dive

This full-time internship/early-career role starts January 2026 (exact date TBD via application; 12-month commitment typical), structured as 40 hours/week remote work supporting 10-15 students in small online "pods." Daily responsibilities include facilitating live sessions (e.g., 9 AM-3 PM ET-aligned), monitoring progress via dashboards, running 1:1 coaching calls, coordinating parent check-ins, and fostering peer collaboration on interdisciplinary projects like "designing sustainable cities." Learning opportunities build teaching skills through real student impact, with competencies sought: empathy, strong communication, organization, tech-savviness (Zoom, Google Workspace, LMS like Canvas), and passion for gifted ed (no teaching cert required; bachelor's preferred). Training includes 2-week onboarding with shadow shifts, ongoing PD on project-based learning (PBL), and mentorship from lead coaches. Post-program paths: 70% advance to full-time Prisma roles (e.g., Pod Lead, Curriculum Designer) or edtech positions at companies like Outschool/Khan Academy; alumni network aids transitions to teaching, UX design for ed, or startups.

Application Success Guide

Apply via Indeed (search "Middle School Learning Coach Prisma 2026") or direct Prisma Careers page; deadline: rolling, but prioritize by November 2025 for January start (apps close when filled). Requirements: resume, cover letter (1-page, tailored to why gifted ed), 2 references (educator/mentor preferred); no degree minimum but education/child dev experience boosts chances. Step-by-step process:

1. Submit online (5-10 min).
2. Video intro (2-min: "Share a time you adapted to a learner's needs").
3. 30-min panel Zoom (behavioral + role-play coaching scenario).
4. Teach demo (15-min mock pod session).
5. Offer (1-2 weeks post-demo). Common questions: "How would you motivate a disengaged gifted student?" "Describe handling group conflict remotely." "Why Prisma's model?" No assessment centers; expect PBL case study (e.g., "Plan a week's pod activities"). Standout candidates demonstrate child-centered examples, remote collaboration proof (e.g., tutoring/volunteering), and research on gifted learner needs (e.g., cite twice-exceptional support).

Insider Tips

Prisma values soft skills (empathy, adaptability, positivity) over technical (basic tech fine; learn on-job); show via STAR stories (Situation-Task-Action-Result) from camps/tutoring. Demonstrate industry knowledge: reference homeschool growth (20% U.S. rise 2020-2025), PBL efficacy (e.g., Buck Institute research), or AI tutors like Kira Learning for personalization. Interview tips: Be energetic/camera-ready; reference Prisma blog/pod examples. Questions to ask: "How does this role evolve with AI integrations?" "What's success for a top coach Year 1?" Avoid red flags: Generic apps (no "gifted ed" mention), negativity about traditional schools, poor virtual presence (test setup pre-call), or over-focusing salary early.

Practical Information

Salary: $45K-$55K base (entry-level edtech benchmark; includes remote stipend ~$5K/year). Benefits: Health/dental/vision (80% covered), 401k match (3%), unlimited PTO, professional dev stipend ($1K/year), home office setup. Program: January 2026 start, 12 months (renewable). Networking: Slack alumni channels, quarterly virtual summits, intros to edtech VCs/Founders (e.g., via Prisma's investor network); leverage for roles at AltSchool or VIPKid. Actionable first step: Audit a free Prisma pod demo (prisma.com/demos) and volunteer tutor gifted kids on Outschool to build resume proof.