Job Description: Teaching Assistant for Scholar Weekends

General Information About Duke TIP Scholar Weekends

Scholar Weekends provide opportunities for academically talented students in grades 8-11 to take short courses during weekend-long programs held on Duke’s East Campus.

The Instructor Position

Instructors for the Duke TIP Scholar Weekends are responsible for designing and teaching challenging courses, and working with the Teaching Assistant to effectively supervise and engage the students. Instructors are required to lead class from 10:00 a. m.–-8:30 p.m. (with breaks for lunch and dinner) on Saturday, and then from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. on Sunday (break for lunch). Instructors are required to attend the parent meeting Sunday afternoon at 4:15 p.m. 

Qualifications

A Bachelor’s Degree is required, with at least a year of graduate school or teaching experience strongly preferred. Experience with middle school and/or high school students is very helpful, as is experience with programs and/or curricula for academically gifted students. Applicants must be able to demonstrate depth of knowledge in course-specific subject matter and a level of preparedness sufficient to create a syllabus and teach challenging material. Applicants must possess a genuine interest in the academic, social, and emotional growth of adolescents and a willingness to work cooperatively with others. Duke TIP Instructors must exhibit a positive attitude, serve as a role model for students and other staff members, and support the On-Site Coordinator.

Specific Duties

Before the Program

  • Prepare the following items and return them to the TIP office within the time frame indicated in your contract and hiring materials:
  • Book, supply, and equipment orders
  • A detailed one-page course description and a day-by-day syllabus
  • Campus-based field trips need to be approved by the Program Coordinator in advance of the weekend.  Please submit campus-based field trip requests in writing.

During the Program

  • Perform all duties necessary to ensure the smooth operation of the course and the program.
  • Monitor and evaluate the Teaching Assistant. Assign duties as needed.
  • Be present and engage students in instruction during all scheduled class times.
  • Use only your assigned classroom(s).
  • Notify the On-Site Coordinator whenever you will not be in your assigned classroom, and leave a note on the door that indicates where you are.
  • Attend the parent meeting on Sunday afternoon.
  • Attend the instructional staff meeting Saturday morning.
  • Enforce Duke TIP rules consistently and fairly.

After Students Depart:

  • Leave classroom in its original condition.
  • Return the following materials to the On-Site Coordinator before you leave campus:
    • A revised syllabus (if necessary) and relevant instructional materials for Duke TIP permanent files
    • Brief written evaluation of the program, the course you taught, the administrative staff, and your Teaching Assistant
    • Classroom/building key cards
    • Petty cash

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 the designated Instructional Staff meeting Saturday morning.
  • 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.
    • Using tobacco products in the classroom building 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 distributed during staff meeting.
  • Abide by all policies set forth by the host institution.