Teaching Assistant Overview

Apply now through 3/31/26 for summer 2026 positions.

Teaching Assistant (Academy of Civic Life)

Position Description

TheAcademy of Civic Life at Stony Brook University is seeking two dedicated Teaching Assistants to work with Dr. Tracey Walters as she teaches a two-week seminar to high school students on campus in July of 2026. We are looking to hire graduate students or advanced undergraduate students who are interested in civic engagement, politics, issues of racial, social, and economic justice, and who are passionate about mentoring and supporting high school students. Teaching assistants should be excited about making a difference in the livesof students from historically marginalized and disenfranchised groups. The TAs will work with Dr. Walters as she teachesa seminar that explores key historical texts and foundations of democracy to high schoolers in the Academy of Civic Life.

The Academy of Civic Life includes a residential summer program for rising high school seniors from Brentwood High School. The TAs will join a team of faculty and students working to teach students about democracy and civic engagement and to help the Academy’s high school students apply to college. The TAs will have important teaching, leadership, and mentorship responsibilities. To learn more, visit our website.

All TA position responsibilities will occur during the Summer 2026. Specifically, there will some virtual TA training sessions during Summer Session I, two days of in-person training on the SBU campus in between summer sessions, followed by the in person TA positions during the Academy of Civic Life that will run for two weeks during Summer Session II on the SBU campus (July 2026).

Teaching Assistants will be responsible for

• Attending all sessions of Dr. Walters’ seminars;
• Leading discussion sections that build on the academic material covered in Dr. Walters’ seminars; 
• Tutoring students on their reading and writing assignments during evening office hours; 
• Helping high school students to develop studentship skills like time management and active reading strategies; 
• Mentoring high school students as they adjust to life on campus; 
• Collecting program evaluation forms and assessment documents from the high school students. 

Additional responsibilities will be detailed as necessary and appropriate within the scope of the position.

We are looking for students with the following qualities:

• Genuine passion for working with students socio economically disenfranchised backgrounds;
• Interest in community-oriented projects and excitement about being an engaged member of their community;
• Personal maturity and responsibility necessary to work with high school students; 
• Interest in civic engagement, politics, and issues of racial, social, and economic justice; 
• Previous experience holding positions of responsibility (for example, mentorship or leadership roles) is desired but is not required;
• Membership in the Educational Opportunity Program is desired but is not required. 
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• TAs will need to attend virtual training sessions in May and June. These sessions will provide important information about leadership, teamwork, tutoring skills, and other skills that are necessary when interacting with the high school students. Synchronous sessions will be scheduled according to mutual availability, and there will also be asynchronous components you can work on in your own time. 
• TAs will attend in-person training sessions prior to the student’s arrival. 
• This position does not cover housing or meals during the two-week class.

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for the position: 

1. Be in Good Academic Standing with the University; 
2. Have a University affiliation during Summer Session II (in other words, the TAs can’t graduate before Summer Session II); 
3. Be 18 years of age by the start of the program; and 
4. Be able to pass a background check.