TEACHING ASSISTANT / TEMPORARY WINTER POSITION (4 OPEN POSITIONS)
About SoNYT and NYC Winter Academy
Highly innovative and critically acclaimed, The School of The New York Times (SoNYT), a collaboration
between The New York Times and Cambridge Information Group, provides a comprehensive set of
educational offerings for pre-college aged students. Students attending these programs hone their skills,
discover their passions, and explore how their studies mesh with the world in which they will live. Drawing
on unequaled expertise and unrivaled access, the programs of The School of The New York Times
provide seminal formative experiences, giving students expanded vision and focus, while serving as the
foundation for success in their future studies and in life itself.
NYC Winter Academy is designed to provide students from China with an immersive environment during
one-week terms throughout the month of February, in which they learn, investigate and explore while
having fun and discovering friends, mentors and instructors who share their passions and interests.
Academic and nonacademic components of the program are integrated to form a holistic approach that
ensures students are making the most of their time both inside and outside the classroom.
Each course meets in the morning with the instructor, a lead teaching assistant (TA), and English as a
Second Language teaching assistant (ESL/TA), and afternoons with the TA and ESL/TA. This position
description is for the TA. The courses are deep dives into particular subjects in various disciplines and
industries. While instructors design the course and lead the morning class session, teaching assistants
are responsible for leading the afternoon practicum, which encompasses study and work sessions and/or
field trips.
Job Summary
The Teaching Assistant is responsible, when on campus, for ensuring the classroom is set up and ready
to go for the start of class, as well as convening the students and assisting the instructor as needed
throughout the morning. After the lunch break, the TA reconvenes class and guides the students through
a variety of exercises, as directed by the instructor, designed to recap the morning’s lesson, promote
independent work and writing, and allow the students time to work on their term project. If class is
off-campus, either morning or afternoon, the TA (with ESL/TA’s help) will escort students to and from the
field trip/site visit. Hours are typically 9am-4pm.
Qualifications
The Lead Teaching Assistant should hold a Bachelor’s in an area pertinent to the course subject matter,
and have at least two years of assistant teaching experience or one year of experience as a lead teacher
/ course designer, with some experience in teaching writing (either journalism, composition, and/or
academic analysis) and be comfortable in working in collaborative and supervisory roles, and working
under the instructor’s direction. Three references are required, with at least two speaking to the teaching
of writing, general pedagogical strategies and classroom management skills.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The Teaching Assistant is key to staffing and running successful courses, both as assistant to the lead
instructor in the academic sessions and as lead academic staffer in the practicum sessions, and as such
will play a vital role in making the program a success.
The Teaching Assistant will:
1. Conduct an introductory discussion (in person or via email) with the instructor prior to term’s start
2. Escort students to, and attend with them, all site visits
3. Serve as assistant to the instructors
4. Lead the practicum on the instructional days, and on days with two practicum sessions
5. Work with the assistant director and other members of the pre-college program staff to review the
course goals; in conjunction with staff and the instructor, plan activities for the afternoon practica
that best reflect and analyze those themes
6. Assist the instructor, as needed, in planning a term project that best encapsulates and presents
the term’s learning outcomes
7. Work with the assistant director of the pre-college program and other members of the pre-college
program staff to facilitate site visits, field trips, and on-campus guest visits
8. Provide the instructor, as needed, with feedback on student performance, to aid in writing student
evaluations
Courses & Dates
Term dates are:
● Economics, 2/3-2/9/18 (7 days; 2 positions)
● Technology & You: Innovation & Impact, 2/3-2/9/18 (7 days; 2 positions)
Applicants should specify which course(s) to which they are applying.
Other Requirements
As Teaching Assistants will be working closely with minors, they will need to pass a criminal background
check. They will also be subject to random drug testing.
Language Skills
While no special language skills are required for the position, applicants should be capable of upholding
the highest standards of written and spoken English.
Teaching Experience
The Teaching Assistant should be have at least two years of assistant teaching experience or one year of
experience as a lead teacher / course designer, with some experience in teaching writing (either
journalism, composition, and/or academic analysis).
Physical Demands
The physical demands listed here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
successfully perform the essential functions of his/her job. Under the ADA, reasonable accommodations
may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
● Ability to sit, stand, walk, travel up and down stairs, crouch, stoop and reach.
● Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.
● Ability to travel extensively within the broader New York City area for purpose of escorting
students on site visits and field trips.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics listed in this position description are representative of those an
employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Under the ADA, reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Compensation
All Teaching Assistants are paid as consultants and have to fill out a W9. They are responsible for paying
all taxes associated with their earnings. The fee for the position, including prep time, is $2,450.
To Apply
● Email your resume and cover letter to: jobs@nytedu.com
● In the subject line of your email enter: “WA18 Teaching Assistant”
● Only qualified candidates should apply
Applications will be accepted and considered until the position is filled.
The School of the New York Times is an Equal Opportunity Employer www.nytedu.com
NO RECRUITERS
