Job Description: Teaching Assistant for Summer Studies Programs

Employment

General Information About Duke TIP Summer Studies

The DukeTIP campus-based Summer Studies Program offers academically gifted students in grades 7-10 the opportunity to learn highly challenging material at a rate commensurate with their advanced abilities. Students enroll in a single DukeTIP-designed course for three weeks of in-depth study and attend nearly 40 hours of class each week between Monday morning and Saturday afternoon. The Summer Studies Program is offered on several college campuses. The program provides young scholars the unique opportunity to experience college classroom instruction and residence hall life. Highly qualified Instructor/Teaching Assistant teams teach classes of approximately 18 students. Outside the classroom, a carefully selected staff of Residential Counselors supervises students during meals, free time, and planned social and recreational activities.

The Teaching Assistant Position

Teaching Assistant (TA) duties are specified by the Duke TIP administration and by the Instructor with whom the TA is working. The Teaching Assistant is required to assist Instructors on weekdays from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Also, the TA supervises an Evening Study after dinner Monday through Thursday. In addition to daily classroom duties, Teaching Assistants attend instructional staff meetings and assist the residential staff on student arrival and departure days. Teaching Assistants are encouraged (but not required) to participate in evening and weekend residential activities. Detailed responsibilities include, but are not limited to, items listed under Specific Duties.

Qualifications

A minimum of two years of college coursework, including some concentrated study in subject areas relevant to Duke TIP course(s), is required; candidates nearing completion of undergraduate coursework or currently pursuing graduate-level studies are preferred. Experience teaching or tutoring is helpful, as is staff or participant experience with programs for the academically gifted. Applicants must possess a genuine interest in the academic, social, and emotional growth of adolescents, exhibit maturity and a positive attitude, and be willing to serve as a role model for students and other staff members. Applicants must be able to work as part of a team; organize projects; explain and enforce TIP rules; and support the efforts of the Instructors, Academic Coordinator, and other administrative staff. There is a driving requirement for certain positions at Duke TIP. Eligible drivers must possess a valid driver’s license, be at least 21 years old, have an approved driving record on file, and be willing to drive students in Duke TIP vehicles (cars, minivans, and 8-passenger SUVs).

Specific Duties

Academic Support

During the staff orientation week, review the medical forms of every student in your class. Note all academic and medical modifications that students might require. Share all information with the Instructor.
Provide individualized instruction.
At Instructor’s discretion, make instructional presentations.
Assist the Instructor with general classroom duties, including grading papers, preparing student evaluations, obtaining supplies, laboratory or activity set-up, research, planning, and class presentations.
Supervise one-hour evening study Monday through Thursday nights. Provide individual assistance as needed.
The following materials must be returned to the Academic Coordinator or the On-Site Director before you leave campus:
Detailed written evaluations of the program, the course, the administrative staff, and the Instructor
Extra textbooks and TIP-purchased course supplies
All classroom, residence hall room, and audio-visual keys.

Student Supervision

Serve as a positive role model for students.
Supervise students during morning and afternoon breaks and during walks to and from classes.
Assist with student supervision during lunch. At some sites, occasional lunch duty assignments may be required.

Student Discipline

Assist Instructor with management and discipline in the classroom and on field trips.
Document noticeable changes in behavior, concerns about students, and discipline issues as directed during training.

Team Membership

Attend all instructional staff meetings.
Assist with student arrival and departure, including driving students to and from the airport and supervising students at the airport. Provide additional supervision for students flying as unaccompanied minors (meeting flights, waiting with students for departure flights, etc.).
Perform other duties assigned by the Instructor, the Academic Coordinator, or the On-Site Director.

Administrative

Check mailbox at on-site office regularly.
If living on campus, assist with emergencies that may arise in the residence halls.

General Expectations

Arrive on your contracted start date at the specified time and location.
Perform all contractual duties at the assigned times.
Support the Duke TIP Mission and all administrative decisions.
Abide by all Duke TIP policies and procedures.
Attend all designated orientation sessions and all scheduled meetings during the term.
Residential Program Assistants, Residential Counselors, Residence Hall Leaders, Residence Life Coordinators, and On-Site Directors are required to live in program-sponsored housing, return to the residence hall by 2:00am, and sleep in assigned rooms each night. (On off-duty nights, residential staff may sleep off-campus or in assigned rooms.) Overnight guests are not permitted in program-sponsored housing on or off campus.
Academic Program Assistants, Teaching Assistants, Instructors, Academic Coordinators, Psychological Counselors, Operations Coordinators, and Office Assistants may choose to live either in program-sponsored housing or off campus; those living on campus are not required to spend every night on campus. However, on each night spent on campus, staff members must return to their residence hall by 2:00am and sleep in assigned rooms. Overnight guests are not permitted in program-sponsored housing on or off campus.
Obey all traffic laws, including speed limits and seatbelt regulations, when transporting students or driving Duke TIP vehicles for other business purposes. Duke TIP vehicles may not be used for personal errands.
Refrain from the following strictly prohibited activities:
- Consuming alcoholic beverages in the presence of students or at any time at the program site (including, but not limited to, housing facilities, classrooms, parking lots, athletic fields, etc.) regardless of the distance from Duke TIP's designated area.
- Returning to campus in an inebriated condition.
- Possessing, selling, distributing, or using illegal drugs.
- Inviting guests to visit the residence halls or to stay overnight in residence hall rooms.
- Using tobacco products in the residence hall or in the presence of students.
- Using inappropriate language, including profanity, discriminatory statements, and sexual innuendoes.
Maintain professional relationships with all staff members. Relationships and/or conflicts among staff members should never interfere with the proper performance of duties.
Maintain professional relationships with students at all times.
Enforce all student rules fairly and consistently according to the policies outlined in training.
Abide by all policies set forth by the host institution.
This position requires a full time commitment. Holding other jobs or taking classes during the contracted time period is prohibited.