Temporary - Teaching Assistant - College Prep Program

Department: School of Professional Studies
Salary/Grade: TMP/01

TEACHING ASSISTANT (TA)

COLLEGE PREPARATION PROGRAM: Wildcat Connect: e-FOCUS Seminar

Start/End Date:              July 20 – 31, 2020

Location:                             Northwestern University, Evanston Campus

Supervised by:                   Academic Program Coordinator, College Preparation Program (CPP)

Time Commitment:           Prior to July 20: 4 hours orientation/training); Program seminars run in two week sessions starting July 20 and ending July 31.

Compensation:              $18 per hour (Total: 40 hours including training)

Program Description:

The 2020 Northwestern College Preparation Program (CPP) offers academically advanced high school students from across the US and abroad the opportunity to enroll in a noncredit Wildcat Connect: e-FOCUS seminar. All 2020 CPP programs will be offered online.  Participants experience college life and academics in a safe and supportive online environment, which prepares them for college success in their first years.  Our Wildcat Connect: e-FOCUS seminars are small, discussion-based noncredit courses offered in special topics including: Legal Interpretation and Communication, Writing for College Success, Insight into Medicine, Chemistry Research, and Social Ethics.

Please visit our website for more information on each seminar. Most seminars are taught by Northwestern faculty with assistance of a designated CPP Teaching Assistant.

Position Summary:

Along with the CPP staff, the central responsibility of the CPP Teaching Assistant (TA) is to provide mentorship and support for the academic, experiential, and co-curricular components of the Wildcat Connect: e-FOCUS Seminars. You will have a unique opportunity to bridge and cultivate learning inside and outside the online classroom. As a Teaching Assistant you will be responsible for providing instructional and organizational support to a lead faculty member in the classroom. TAs are expected to be engaging, visible, and accessible to students on a daily basis throughout the seminar. TAs will be responsible for regularly checking in with their assigned group of students.  You will be responsible for coordinating and supervising students during online program-related activities. TAs report directly to the Academic Program Coordinator and may receive further supervision from the Director of Summer Session. This is a part-time online position.

Teaching Assistant Responsibilities:

• Participate in mandatory training before program begins prior to July 20, 2020
• Serve as mentor, resource, and facilitator of summer program policies, procedures, and calendar
• Abide by and enforce program Standards of Conduct and University rules and procedures, and report unsafe and inappropriate behavior
• Represent and uphold the values of the Northwestern community and the College Preparation Program in all circumstances  
• Attend all class meetings for one Wildcat Connect: e-FOCUS Seminar providing classroom support and organization to faculty
• Meet (conference call or via Zoom) with faculty member the week of TA training
• Attend meetings with instructor and program director prior to and as needed while course is in session
• Serve as primary communicator with students before and during seminar, notifying students of assignments, virtual field trips, any last minute schedule changes, etc.
• Engage all students during online seminar class time for study groups, after class outings, etc.
• Attend weekly one-on-one meetings with the Academic Coordinator
• Other duties as assigned by Academic Program Coordinator

Qualifications:

• Completed two years of college by June 2020 (rising junior or senior)
• A consistent record of academic achievement
• College-level coursework in one or more CPP/IN FOCUS academic subject area (biology, business, chemistry, creative writing, economics, engineering, environmental and earth sciences, expository writing, global health, humanities, international relations, legal studies, philosophy & literature, physics, political science)
• Experience working with students ages 15–17
• Energy, enthusiasm, and ability to motivate others
• A strong sense of responsibility, professionalism, and level of maturity
• Excellent communication, coordination, and problem-solving skills
• Team player with an ability to work effectively with a diverse student body and staff
• Must be available for mandatory training before program begins. Training date is Friday, June 19, 2020.

Preferred qualifications:

• Knowledge of the Northwestern environment, preferably as a current matriculated student or CPP/NHSI/CTD alum
• Previous experience working with high school students as an RA, camp counselor, tutor, or other capacity
• Previous teaching, mentoring, and/or counseling experience is desirable
• Prior student affairs experience is also desirable.

Important Dates:

• Length of Service: Prior to July 20, 2020, 4 hours of online training and July 20 – 31, 2020
• Deadline to apply: May 31, 2020
• Applicants will be notified if they have been selected for an interview by June 8, 2020

To Apply:  Visit www.northwestern.edu/hr/careers. Search openings under the External Applicants section using the keywords “College Prep.”

1. Fill out and submit the online application at the Northwestern Careers website.
2. Submit a current resume and cover letter for full consideration.  Please identify which IN FOCUS seminar for which you would like to be TA. Cover letter should explain your interest in the position and why you would be a good fit considering the qualifications stated above, and topic of the Wildcat Connect: e-FOCUS Seminar.
3. Answer the following essay questions in regard to the specific IN FOCUS seminar(s) you selected:
   1. What interests you most about working for this program, and why would you be a good fit as a Teaching Assistant?
   2. Please tell us about your specific background and interest in your chosen seminar(s), and why you would like to be a Teaching Assistant for this seminar. (Please visit our website for more information on each seminar.)
   3. The College Prep Program enrolls students with a wide variety of backgrounds and interests. How would you support residents from a diversity of countries, cultures, classes, genders, learning styles, etc.?
   4. What do you wish you would have known about college when you began your undergraduate career, and how would you use this insight as a Teaching Assistant?
   5. If you are a current undergraduate or graduate student, what are your plans after graduation? If you’ve already graduated, what are your plans for the near future?
   6. Please describe your technological proficiency, particularly in online pedagogy or platforms such as ZOOM and CANVAS.
4. Submit official current college or university transcript to John Rutka; Northwestern students may submit unofficial transcripts. 
   1. Electronic transcripts will only be accepted from US institutions via secure electronic transcript providers. All electronic transcripts should be emailed to [email protected]. Place your last and first name in the subject line with the title (i.e., Subject: Doe, Jane CPP Transcript)
5. Provide a list of three professional references and their contact information.

Contact Us: Please visit the College Preparation Program website at northwestern.edu/collegeprep to learn more about our programs. If you have any questions, email the CPP office at [email protected] or call 847-491-7239.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.