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SEED Academy Teaching Assistant (Apply Now)
 

Program: Saturday Engineering Enrichment and Discovery (SEED) Academy 

Position: Teaching Assistant (Part-time, 7-9 hours/session)  

Employment Timeline: August - November 2022 (8 Saturdays and occasional evenings) 

Compensation: $15/hour 

 

SEED Fall Courses

Materials Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Computer Science (python)

Data Visualization (python)

Engineering Design

 

SEED Saturdays*

Sept 17, 24

October 8, 15, 29

November 5, 12, 19

 

*Subject to change 

 

POSITION OVERVIEW 

The MIT Office of Engineering Outreach Programs (OEOP) in the School of Engineering boasts a 40+ year history of  providing engaging and rigorous science and engineering education enrichment for 350 middle and high school  students from our local community and across the country. Our mission focuses on making science and  engineering careers more accessible to students from underserved and underrepresented communities.  
 

The SEED Teaching Assistant assists the Project Course Instructor in implementing curriculum for a specific  course in engineering through participating in classes, tracking/reporting on student performance and attendance. The Teaching Assistant leads a cluster of ~15 students, fostering a supportive, safe, and positive environment. The Teaching Assistant assists in the implementation of the SEED Academy calendar during the course of  the Fall academic term including overseeing Saturday activities. The Teaching Assistant communicates and meets  regularly with a collaborative team to ensure the wellbeing and success of program participants. Teaching  Assistants provide guidance, mentorship, and play a critical role in each student’s experience.  
 

Attention Applicants: We are currently planning to administer the program in person, which would require COVID vaccinations (and boosters) for all students and staff who participate and the ability to transition to virtual instruction if necessary. We will update applicants on evolving program policies, structure and requirements.
 

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

Administrative and Programmatic

  • Assist in the implementation of the SEED Academy calendar during the course of the semester including overseeing Saturday activities. 

  • Help foster a supportive, safe, and positive learning environment that builds a sense of community among program participants. 

  • Provide a mature and positive influence and ensure that participants are meeting program expectations/processes and Institute guidelines for programs with minors. 

  • Help implement student support and improvement plans and check in with students around their progress.

  • Participate in mandatory staff meetings, trainings, and a few special events. 

  • Keep the SEED Academy Leadership team informed of key incidents within 24 hours of occurrence. 

  • Report urgent or sensitive student concerns immediately to SEED Leadership. 

  • Assist with urgent matters concerning program participants needed. 

  • Reply in a timely fashion to correspondence from SEED Academy Leadership team. 

  • Identify and respond to students’ needs for information, especially in regards to student concerns promptly. 

  • Complete program evaluation surveys on program experience. 
     

Academic  

  • Assist instructor with the instructional responsibilities and the implementation of curriculum for a specific college-level engineering course. Actively participate and support the Instructor in class. Grade homework, collect and distribute class materials, track student performance and attendance, and prepare class activities. 

  • Communicate academic notes and progress of individual students to assigned Instructor regularly for use at the end of program student evaluation. 

  • Be available for individual tutoring sessions as assigned/approved. 

  • In collaboration with the Instructor, document and submit all lesson plans and course materials to SEED Academy Leadership. 

  • Attend seminars, technical talks, or other SEED activities with the students.

  • Assist the Instructor in leading a class of 15-30 students, providing a safe and supportive environment and being aware of student performance and wellbeing. 

  • Supervising and Mentoring  

  • Lead a cluster of 15-20 students, providing a safe and supportive environment and being aware of student performance and well-being. 

  • Perform formal weekly video meetings with your cluster students. 

  • Prompt, regular attendance checks and ensure safety and timeliness of students. 

  • Assist with supervising students 

  • Establish a rapport and personal connection with students, particularly those within your class. In collaboration with other SEED staff, plan and implement social, educational, and recreational activities and special events. 

  • Mentor students and provide advice about choosing a college and career, when asked, and successfully navigating the SEED Academy experience. 

  • Perform other duties as assigned.  
     

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS 

  • One-year college-level coursework; upperclassmen preferred. 

  • Strong background and content base in desired course. 

  • Ability to work a part-time schedule of up to 10 hours per week, including all Saturday sessions and may be required to attend occasional evening events and communicate with students outside of Saturday sessions. 

  • Other MIT employment may impact eligibility for the job due to potential conflicts. Strong desire to mentor and lead. 

  • Teaching/mentoring experience preferred. 

  • Ability to maintain confidential information and high level of professionalism. 

  • Solution-oriented, flexible, and self-motivated. 

  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills. 

  • Ability to teach multiple courses preferred. 

  • Candidates with previous experience working in OEOP programs are strongly encouraged to apply. 

  • Position requires satisfactory completion of background check. 
     

The MIT Office of Engineering Outreach Programs adheres to MIT’s nondiscrimination policy: the Massachusetts Institute of  Technology is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in education and employment. The Institute prohibits  discrimination against individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, religion,  disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies,  admissions policies, employment policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other Institute administered programs and  activities; the Institute may, however, favor US citizens or residents in admissions and financial aid.* 
 

** To comply with regulations by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), the principal duties in job descriptions must be  essential to the job. To identify essential functions, focus on the purpose and the result of the duties rather than the manner in  which they are performed. The following definition applies: a job function is essential if removal of that function would  fundamentally change the job.