Math-0-Rama Coach

The Lansing School District serves over 10,000 PreK-12 students across 25 school buildings in the increasingly diverse urban community of Lansing, MI. We are unique compared to other districts because of the wide variety of exciting and innovative educational options from which families and staff members can choose. All of Lansing School District’s team members are dedicated to our mission to provide an excellent education to all students in a safe and nurturing environment.

Position: Coach

Hours: Varies according to schedule

Dates: November 2026 - May 2027

Position Overview

Lansing Public Schools is seeking enthusiastic Math-0-Rama Coaches to prepare students for districtwide mathematics competitions. Math-0-Rama is a mathematics enrichment program designed to challenge students, strengthen problem-solving skills, and build confidence through teamwork and friendly competition.

The primary responsibility of the coach is to prepare students to effectively compete in two districtwide Math-0-Rama meets held during the school day.

The ideal candidate enjoys mathematics, makes learning engaging, and helps students develop critical thinking, mathematical reasoning, and confidence when solving challenging problems.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare students to effectively compete in two districtwide Math-0-Rama meets.
• Provide engaging, structured practice sessions focused on the skills and strategies needed for competition.
• Prepare students according to the district's established competition guidelines.
• Help students develop accuracy, fluency, critical thinking, and problem-solving strategies.
• Create a positive, supportive environment that encourages teamwork, perseverance, good sportsmanship, and healthy competition.
• Coordinate student participation and communicate with families, school administrators, and district program coordinators.
• Attend both Math-0-Rama meets during the school day and assist with event activities, supervision, and scoring as assigned.
• Be present for all scheduled practice sessions and competitions.

Qualifications

• State teaching certification preferred, but not required.
• Ability to create an encouraging environment that promotes confidence, collaboration, and perseverance.
• Strong organizational, communication, and collaboration skills.

Application Deadline: Monday, November 9, 2026

At Lansing School District, we champion diversity, equity, and inclusion, providing equal opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or sexual orientation. We foster a rich environment for professional growth and student experiences by valuing diverse perspectives. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite passionate individuals dedicated to educational excellence to apply for our positions.

We value internal mobility and list "Strong Internal Candidate" when considering an internal candidate before posting a job. We still encourage all candidates to apply.

Complete the attached online application at your earliest convenience. If selected, we will contact you to set up an interview. While we strive to provide prompt feedback, the high volume of applicants may limit our ability to do so. All of our jobs will be posted for at least 10 days (unless otherwise noted), but we will review applications on a rolling basis.

External candidates interested in multiple positions within the same department need only apply to one posting and can indicate other roles of interest in the final question. We will consider your application for various roles based on your qualifications.

Internal candidates should apply using their SSO email address and submit separate applications for each role of interest.

Thank you for your interest in joining our mission-driven team. We look forward to meeting you!

This job description is intended to outline the general responsibilities and qualifications for the position. It is not an exhaustive list of duties, and the Lansing School District reserves the right to modify job responsibilities as needed. Due to the evolving needs of the District, additional job responsibilities may be assigned (depending on funding sources).

Math-0-Rama | Program Overview

What is Math-0-Rama?

Math-0-Rama is a districtwide mathematics competition for 5th graders that provides students an opportunity to apply their math skills, solve challenging problems, work as a team, and represent their schools. The program brings back a longstanding Lansing tradition and is designed to make mathematics engaging, challenging, and fun.

What do students do?

Students prepare at their schools and participate in organized math challenges at district meets. Activities emphasize mental math and computation, problem-solving, real-world shopping and money applications, and mathematical strategy. Students may complete individual and team challenges, with scores contributing to competition results.

What is the format for 2026–27?

Two districtwide meets are planned during the school day. The first meet will be at the end of January and the second will be in May. Coaches lead preparation sessions after school and possibly during the day if needed. After school sessions are required as the coach is being paid a stipend. The district will provide competition guidelines and some practice materials, but the coach will be expected to create additional practice items. You may have multiple teams, in different divisions from your school.

What does a Math-0-Rama Coach do?

• The coach’s primary role is to prepare students to compete effectively in the district meets.

Coaches will:

• Use district-provided competition guidelines and practice materials to prepare students for each event.
• Organize and lead practice sessions that build familiarity, accuracy, confi dence, and teamwork.
• Coordinate student participation and communicate with school administrators and families as needed.
• Attend both daytime meets and assist with supervision and event responsibilities as assigned.

Additional Information

The coach should be someone who can organize student preparation, maintain communication, and attend the two meets. Additional details about student selection, practice schedules, transportation, and event logistics will be communicated by the district.

Why does it matter?

Math-0-Rama is intended to celebrate mathematical thinking, encourage perseverance, build student confi dence, and create a positive school experience through friendly competition. Feedback from the May 2026 pilot was strongly supportive of continuing the program.

Program contact: Jason Salhaney, jason.salhaney@lansingschools.net