The TA positions are critical to the success of PAYS. TAs support PAYS participants and their co-TAs with math and critical inquiry courses. TAs and their students attend Math and Critical Inquiry classes M-Th, teach an elective, and in the afternoons/evenings assist students with their homework. On a typical day, TAs will spend the morning in classes and most evenings tutoring or engaging with students. Some of the TA’s time will be spent coordinating daily study sessions and grading/evaluating all math and critical inquiry work assigned by faculty. TAs are expected to participate in community building activities.
Successful applicants will have a strong academic record and an open spirit that makes their contribution uniquely powerful. It is also preferable that the TA have an interest in and/or experience working with high school students. Educational experience is especially helpful.
The TA is a role model and mentor to all PAYS participants. For this reason, it is critical that the TA maintains professionalism and always exhibits good judgment. The TA must remain on campus in their designated Walker Hall room and sub-free throughout PAYS. Only one job is permitted during the duration of the PAYS Summer Experience.
After the PAYS Summer Experience, the TA may choose to volunteer for PAYS as a college advisor to seniors and/or by participating in college planning workshops during the fall and spring semesters. There might also be opportunities to tutor PAYS students. Preference will be given to applicants who can offer this important continuity.
Teaching Assistant Responsibilities
The responsibilities of a PAYS TA are both challenging and rewarding. As a teaching assistant, you will be expected to fulfill the following responsibilities:
- Participate in a two-week training and pre-program preparation from June 8th - June 20th. Opening Day is Sunday, June 22nd. The program ends on Friday, July 18th for the high school students and Saturday, July 21st after 5:00pm for YOU. Inability to attend training and stay for the staff closing will disqualify you from holding this position.
- Provide a mature, professional influence to all members of the PAYS community, including students, staff, faculty, community partners, etc.
- Attend weekly PAYS staff meetings and any other meeting(s) asked by the Director and PAYS Coordinator
- Mentor, engage, and socialize with a diverse group of students, encouraging students to build community among their own TA group and grade group, as well as across grade levels (especially during the evenings)
- Hold responsibility for a group of ~16 students
- Attend and assist math and critical inquiry classes M-Th
- Grade and evaluate all math and critical inquiry assignments
- Check-in and/or meet with your respective faculty members to ensure completion and understanding of course materials for TA group
- Conduct mental, social, and emotional check-ins with each of your PAYS students
- Assist and tutor PAYS students with homework assignments (math and critical inquiry)
- Be readily available to lead and/or support study and tutoring sessions after 5:00pm
- If no study and tutoring sessions are happening, you must be supervising students inside and outside of residence hall
- Congregating of staff should be kept to a minimum
- Encourage PAYS students to work collaboratively instead of individually
- Support the Community Advisors (CAs) with the organization, cleanliness, and maintenance of the Community Advisor Room
- Support the Community Advisors (CAs) with Room Checks
- Support as a lead on Friday field trips and/or activities/events
- Provide support on Opening Day, Closing Day, and for the staff closing the day after Closing Ceremony
- On Opening Day, be readily available to support the Director, PAYS Coordinator, Post Bacc Fellow for Educational Outreach, and/or the Community Advisors as needed
- For Closing Ceremony, prepare to direct students to the stage and acknowledge their participation in the PAYS summer
- Check-in with the Director, PAYS Coordinator, and/or Post Bacc Fellow for Educational Outreach at least twice during the summer
- Lead a self-designed elective course for a total of seven (7) days
- Ensure the safety, security, and wellbeing of all PAYS students
- Assist in disciplinary and emergency situations or where conflict resolution is required
- This is a time-consuming position that takes up days and nights (and sometimes weekends – for planning). The job requires sincere and sustained commitment, but it is also FUN and rewarding!