STEM Classroom Teaching Assistant - Roxbury Community College

Roxbury Community College; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

Roxbury Community College in Boston seeks a STEM Classroom Teaching Assistant to support faculty and students in STEM classrooms and labs. This Learn & Earn role reinforces instructions, aids with activities, and helps create an organized, engaging learning environment for diverse learners.

Qualified RCC students in good standing with STEM coursework preferred; strong communication, reliability, and ability to navigate classroom technology such as Canvas and Office are valued.

Qualifications

• Must be a currently enrolled RCC student in good academic standing and eligible for Learn & Earn.
• Successful completion of relevant STEM coursework; a grade of B or better is preferred.
• Reliable, punctual, organized, patient, and able to communicate clearly with students and faculty.
• Ability to work respectfully with students from varied backgrounds.
• Basic proficiency with Canvas, Microsoft Office, or comparable learning technology is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Reinforce course instructions and provide peer academic support.
• Assist with classroom and laboratory activities and ensure an organized, engaging learning environment.
• Help students understand instructions and remain engaged during STEM classes.
• Assist with attendance, distribution of course materials, and other classroom-support tasks.
• Follow safety procedures and refer questions to the instructor when needed.

Skills

Reliable

Punctual

Organized

Patient

Clear communication

Education

Currently enrolled RCC student

Tools

Canvas

Microsoft Office

Job description

Roxbury Community College is a public institution of higher education offering associate degrees, certificate programs and lifelong learning opportunities to the Greater Boston community. The Department of Education recognized RCC as a Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) and as one of the top 100 community colleges in the country for student outcomes through the Postsecondary Success Recognition Program, making it the only community college in Massachusetts with these designations.

RCC offers 24 associate degree programs, 6 credit-based certificate programs, 13 non-credit professional certification programs, 30+ lifelong learning and fitness classes, and customized incumbent worker training programs. The college hosts hundreds of civic and community events at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center each year. RCC is committed to providing all learners with the academic and non-academic support required for degree completion and long-term success.

Roxbury Community College is guided by our six core values of Accountability, Equity, Excellence, Honesty, Integrity, and Respect. RCC is also an AA/EO employer and strongly encourages applications from candidates who would enhance the diversity of its staff. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act requires all institutes of higher education to disclose campus policy statements and crime statistics. Our annual report is available at https://www.rcc.mass.edu/explore/public-safety/index.html .

Job Description:

Department:STEM

Position Title:STEM Classroom Teaching Assistant

Developmental Focus:Apply & Contribute

Economic Mobility Pathway:Pathway 5 - STEM & Applied Sciences

Placement Type:Learn & Earn

Number of Positions:1

Hours:Up to 18.5 hours per week

Term:Fall 2026 and Spring 2027

Supervisor:Hillel Sims, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, STEM

Position Summary

The STEM Classroom Teaching Assistant is an intermediate level Learn & Earn position that supports faculty and students in STEM classrooms and laboratories. Under faculty direction, the student TA reinforces course instructions, provides peer academic support, assists with classroom and laboratory activities, and helps create an organized, engaging, and supportive learning environment.

Assist faculty during STEM classes and laboratories by helping students understand instructions, remain engaged, and complete assigned course activities.

Provide peer support with foundational STEM concepts, calculations, classroom technology, and laboratory procedures under the instructor's direction.

Support small-group activities, review sessions, and other structured peer-learning activities assigned by the instructor.

Assist with attendance, material collection, distribution of course materials, and other appropriate classroom-support tasks.

Help students navigate approved classroom technology and learning tools when appropriate.

Follow all classroom, laboratory safety, confidentiality, and professional-conduct expectations.

Identify questions or situations requiring faculty expertise or decision-making and refer them to the instructor.

Requirements:

Required Qualifications

Must be a currently enrolled RCC student in good academic standing and eligible for Learn & Earn.

Successful completion of relevant STEM coursework; a grade of B or better is preferred.

Reliable, punctual, organized, patient, and able to communicate clearly with students and faculty.

Ability to work respectfully with students from varied backgrounds.

Ability to follow classroom and laboratory safety procedures.

Basic proficiency with Canvas, Microsoft Office, or comparable learning technology is preferred.

Ability to appropriately distinguish peer support from responsibilities reserved for faculty.

Preferred Academic Background

Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science/Information Technology, or another STEM-related field aligned with the assigned course.

Additional Information:

Scope of Teaching Assistant Role

The STEM Classroom Teaching Assistant works under the direction and supervision of faculty. Student TAs may reinforce instructions, provide peer support, assist with structured learning activities, and support classroom and laboratory operations. They may not independently teach a class, assign or determine grades, evaluate student performance for official purposes, supervise a class without authorized faculty, or make academic decisions reserved for instructors or other professional staff.

Student Learning & Professional Development Outcomes

Strengthen applied STEM knowledge by reinforcing foundational concepts with peers.

Develop peer-education, communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.

Build experience supporting classroom and laboratory learning environments.

Strengthen professionalism, reliability, teamwork, and appropriate referral judgment.

Gain career-relevant experience connected to STEM education, technical fields, research, and other applied STEM pathways.

Funding & Scheduling Structure

One STEM Classroom Teaching Assistant placement is authorized through Learn & Earn for Fall 2026 and Spring 2027. The position is scheduled around assigned STEM classes, department needs, and the student's academic schedule. Students may work up to 18.5 hours per week, including approved daytime or evening classroom support when needed.

Supervision & Performance

The STEM Classroom Teaching Assistant reports administratively to Hillel Sims, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, STEM, and performs classroom duties under the direction of the assigned faculty member. Students receive training and guidance regarding classroom expectations, laboratory safety, confidentiality, role boundaries, professional conduct, and appropriate peer-support practices.

Advancement

Strong performers may become candidates for future advanced peer-learning, STEM laboratory, research-support, technical, tutoring, or other pathway-aligned student employment opportunities when available.