BWorks continues to see steady demand for all three of our central programs — Earn-A-Bike, Earn-A-Computer and Learn-To-Ride — and ongoing interest in more such offerings both at BWorks’ headquarters and at partner locations around the region. As we seek to continue to grow our efforts in sustainable and effective ways, BWorks is now accepting applications for part-time education positions starting in early fall of 2023. Check out the listings below to learn more about the jobs and how to apply.

Got a question about one of these opportunities? Email our programs director, Evie Hemphill, at evie@bworks.org.

BWorks teacher

St. Louis BWorks, a 501(c)(3) organization, is currently accepting resumes for flexible, part-time teaching positions. These opportunities will allow us to expand our roster of regular Earn-A-Bike, Learn-To-Ride and Earn-A-Computer instructors, in turn helping BWorks reach even more local children with our free programs that inspire youth to pursue their dreams, care for the world around them, and explore new possibilities through experiential learning.

Working between three and nine hours total per week (teaching at least one and not more than three classes during any given week), a BWorks teacher leads groups of up to 12 children (ages 8 to 17) at a time through BWorks’ multi-week curricula. In doing so, a BWorks teacher also works closely with BWorks’ dedicated base of volunteers.

BWorks teachers report to the programs director and take on the following major duties:

• preparation for and facilitation of bike and computer classes, sometimes at partner locations
• regular and timely communication with programs director as classes progress
• thoughtful collaboration with and support of volunteer assistants and leads
• participation in regular curricular and classroom review and observation

The ideal candidate has some existing bike and/or computer knowledge, brings previous experience working with children and/or teens, and is both highly organized and flexible. To be successful, this is someone who is passionate, motivated, creative — and ready to assist with BWorks’ operational needs as they arise.

This position is based out of BWorks’ headquarters, and will also occasionally require travel with classroom materials to partner organizations in the St. Louis metro area.

Qualifications

All potential candidates must possess the following:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Enthusiastic passion to achieve BWorks’ mission
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and in a team setting
• Ability to pass various background checks 

Preference will be given to candidates who possess the following:

• A bachelor’s degree
• Prior teaching experience
• Skills in working with children ages 8 to 17
• Experience in the nonprofit sector
• Proficiency in a second language

Compensation

This position will pay $20 per hour.

How to apply to BWorks’ next classroom teacher

Apply online by submitting a cover letter that communicates your vision for the role you could play at BWorks (and a sense of your hoped-for hours and weekly availability), a resume, and at least two professional references to St. Louis BWorks’ executive director, Patrick Van Der Tuin, at resume@bworks.org, by August 31, 2023.

St. Louis BWorks has been offering both our Earn-A-Computer and Earn-A-Bike courses at partner sites around the St. Louis region since 2011, when we first moved to the Soulard neighborhood. Our team recognizes that no matter where our brick-and-mortar presence is located (and yes, we remain on the hunt for our next headquarters!), for many families and students in our region, the distance, time and energy required to attend our programs are significant factors — and sometimes outright barriers to participation. This is why, in addition to our year-round onsite offerings, we consistently bring our free bike and computer programs to multiple St. Louis-area communities each season, minimizing such barriers by providing options closer to where people live. 

As transportation becomes harder and schedules for families more hectic, BWorks remains more committed than ever to our goal of meeting St. Louis youth where they are — so that as many children in our region as possible have the opportunity to dream big, care for the world around them and explore new possibilities through experiential learning. The map here pinpoints the many places where BWorks staff and volunteers have and/or continue to provide free, multi-week programming, transporting everything from classroom learning materials to bikes and computers week to week to make sure participants get a full experience regardless of location.

Orange markers = Libraries
Blue markers = Schools
Purple markers = Nonprofits 
Green markers = Parks 

As we ride into summer, St. Louis BWorks is excited to announce the launch of our Youth Council for Street Safety, open to all St. Louis-area children and teens who have completed Earn-A-Bike and/or Learn-To-Ride! Join us at BWorks (2414 Menard) at 6:30 p.m. (until 7:30 p.m.) Thursday, July 13, for our first interest meeting. There will be ice cream!

Together, we will brainstorm an advocacy plan to make the streets of St. Louis safer for all people, and particularly young people, to explore and get where they need to go. Here are some guiding questions to start mulling:

• What are your experiences trying to get around St. Louis as a pedestrian, cyclist and/or transit rider?
• How can we make sure that these experiences improve so that kids can independently get places?
• How can we inspire action at the government level?
• What can BWorks do to empower young St. Louisans when it comes to advocacy and action around this issue?

Your voice is valued! We look forward to seeing you on July 13 and beginning this important work to improve the mobility experiences of St. Louis youth. 
Please RSVP to Julia, our summer intern, to let us know you plan to attend (julia@bworks.org). She’s also happy to answer any questions or concerns.

We get some amazing donations at BWorks! Some of these donations are pretty special and we work with various groups to find homes for these items: Adaptive bikes have gone to local hospitals, striders to other youth groups and even adult trikes head to local senior facilities. But what if some of these items were available to the greater community to access? 

BWorks is excited to announce our new loaner library starting on May 1st.  

Our hope is that by sharing with the greater St. Louis community some of these resources even more kids and adults will catch the cycling bug and join the cycling community — from striders for the little ones, to trikes for the older ones, or bikes for those that might need a little extra support. We are just getting started and hope to continue to build out our library to have something for everyone.   

Your annual $60/year donation to Bworks gets you access to all sorts of fun cycling products, and our library is always growing!  

What do you want to borrow? Check out the start of our lending library here!

How it works 

$60/ or more a year (donation) gets you an access code that allows you to reduce the cost of anything on our website under the loaner library to $0. You pick what you want to try, check yourself out through the website and then we will be in contact to arrange a time to pick up the item(s). All we ask is that you remember the timeline for returning so that the next person can try it out AND that you don’t abuse the item. 

Rules: 

-Donations can be made in person at our building, via paypal here or by mail.

-Membership starts from the date of a $60 or greater donation and is good for one year. 

-Members are asked to email info@bworks.org to get their discount code. This code is good for self checkout on our website or in person at our building in Soulard.

-Sharing of membership codes is not allowed. 

-Up to two items can be checked out at a time. 

-Most items will be available for 30 day check out.  

-Popular items might in the future be restricted for the length of loans so that more individuals can utilize them. Our hope is to add more items to prevent this.