Wing Student Teaching Assistant (STA)
Primary Purpose
The Wing student teaching assistants (STAs) are an integral part of the First Year Seminar Instruction Team for the Wing, a co-educational residential community that encourages academic learning and personal growth of its participants. STAs support the overall purpose of the Wing program by co-facilitating the First Year Seminar Course, a three-credit class taught in Slusher Hall that meets twice a week. STAs serve as positive role models, mentors, and peer leaders to first-year students, and become another person with whom these students can identify on campus. STAs are not required to live on campus or in the Wing, which is located in Slusher Hall. STAs report to the Assistant Director of First Year Programs.
Specific Responsibilties
Peer Advisement
- Initiate contact, make introductions, and stimulate conversation among class participants.
- Initiate contact among students and University faculty and staff members.
- Foster relationships between residents who share common interests and needs.
- Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with students.
- Identify and encourage the development of resident leadership in hall community activities.
- Serve as a role model for the students in their class.
- Encourage student involvement in other campus activities (e.g., invite them to attend an event or organization meeting at which the STA will be present).
Academic Resources
- Assist Wing participants in the transition to the University.
- Watch for warning signals that students may be experiencing academic and/or personal problems, e.g., not attending class, sleeping through class, inappropriate class behavior.
- Serve as a resource and referral agent for the University and community services such as counseling services, Student Programs, financial aid and scholarship office, Career Services, academic advising, University writing program, Center for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, and others.
Administration
- Attend the Student Teaching Assistant Training (tentatively scheduled for August 21, 2009) and any fall meetings.
- Complete administrative paperwork as assigned.
- Be willing to participate, as available, in committee work regarding enhancement of The Wing program.
- Complete grading for First Year Seminar class students in cooperation with First Year Seminar facilitator.
- Perform other duties as requested by the assistant director.
Instruction
- Along with co-facilitator, who is a faculty or staff member, create lessons and activities for course topics.
- Utilize The Wing textbook, "Your College Experience: Strategies for Success."
- Through training become comfortable teaching topics such as time management, personality styles, sexual assault awareness, academic skill development, diversity awareness, stress management, and others.
Remuneration
Three credit hours earned through field study, EDHL 4964 (or UH 4974, through Univerisity Honors).
Qualification
- Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors;
- Applicant must have a 2.8 GPA;
- Applicants must not have any active sanctions in the University Judicial System at time of application;
- Students should have an interest in teaching and serving as a peer mentor in a classroom setting;
- Basic knowledge of University resources or the willingness to learn is required.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Priority consideration will be given to all applications received by Monday, March 16, 2009. Applications will be accepted through March 30, 2009.
Link to 2009 STA Application
Questions? Please contact Matt Grimes, Assistant Director of First Year Programs at (540) 231-2203.
