TA/Education Assistant

UWSUP University of Wisconsin Superior; Superior (WI); On-site; USD 14,000 - 19,000; Part time

Job summary

University of Wisconsin-Superior seeks a TA/Education Assistant to support on-campus and remote classroom activities. You will ensure the class runs smoothly, attend sessions, and help students engage while encouraging direct communication with the instructor.

Pay is $12 per hour with up to 8 hours per week, typically 4–6 hours. Duties include attendance, assisting with materials, and facilitating language practice under instructor guidance.

Responsibilities

• Attend all class sessions and assist the instructor as requested.
• Encourage students to communicate directly with the instructor by email or in class.
• Assist with attendance when requested, without teaching the language unless asked in an emergency.
• Troubleshoot technical issues during class using Zoom and communicate with instructors/tech staff as needed.
• Collect homework at the beginning of class; report common mistakes to the instructor.
• Assist with photocopying, handouts, and language-table practice as time allows.
• Maintain close communication with the instructor to ensure class success.

Job description

Current Students: If you are currently employed or enrolled as a student at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process. Workday Internal Jobs Site for Students

Position Title: TA/Education Assistant

Job Category: Student

Hourly Job Profile: Student Help

Job Summary: The main purpose of your job is to assist students on campus in the classroom and the remote instructor in a way that the class runs smoothly and learning can take place effectively. You will attend all class sessions and if requested by the instructor, take attendance. It is not your job to teach the target language (Japanese) to the students in place of the instructor unless you are asked in case of emergency. Encourage the students to communicate directly with the instructor by email or in class as much as possible.

Pay is $12 per hour. You can work up to 8 hours per week, but it is more likely that you will work 4-6 hours per week.

INSTRUCTIONAL ASPECTS

Whenever possible, use the target language during class to communicate concerns with the instructor. This helps students see the importance and real usage of the target language. Students will also do what they can to try to understand what you said as a private test of their own abilities. During pair and small group activities, and during class, encourage students to stay in the target language as much as possible. Walk around and assist them in the exercises to ensure they are on task and participating. Except in necessary situations, do not translate what the instructor is saying in the target language into English for the students. If a student asks you a question during the class period, encourage him/her to ask the instructor directly. This may depend on the question, but we want to make sure students are relying on the instructor first.

TECHNICAL ASPECTS

Go to the classroom at least 5 minutes before the starting time. Turn on the computer and check cable connections. You will be using Zoom for class sessions. The Zoom link will be given to you by the instructor before the semester begins. During class sessions it is very important that you communicate with your instructor and technology staff if you experience technical problems such as losing sound, etc. Your instructor will not know what you are/aren’t seeing or hearing if you don't advise them. If your instructor happens to switch the view to a document camera or other video input for part of the lesson and then forgets to switch it back so that you are unable to see the instructor at the origination site, please advise them immediately so that you are viewing the proper input. When your site is asked to respond, please be sure to use the proper student camera to show the students who are speaking/showing their work.

• Collect homework at the beginning of class. Check their homework and record and let the instructor know their progress. If there are common mistakes from students, report them to the instructor during or after the class.
• You may work and help students for up to 4.5 hours. Besides assist the instructor and the students in class, you will make photocopies before class. Check the instructor’s e‑mail messages, print out the handouts and bring them to class. If you have time, you may serve as a language table for students to practice conversation with other native speakers. However, any additional hours must be approved by your instructor and the continuing education department.
• Study the syllabus carefully, with a special attention to exam dates and assignments due dates. Make sure that you receive all of the necessary materials for exams, etc. at least a couple of days in advance prior to the scheduled dates.
• Close communications between the TAs and the instructor are the key to the success of the program. You will need to communicate with the instructor in the following situations: when you receive materials that the instructor has sent: when you sent materials (quizzes, tests, etc) to the instructor: when students are having difficulties or questions regarding class content: when you know that you will be absent from class for an avoidable commitment such as a field trip of your own class or any other emergencies.
• Other duties are at the request of your instructor. These duties commonly include such things as reporting attendance and homework completion, distribution of materials during class, creating flash cards, etc.

Notes: If a conflict arises between the instructor and the students (and/or yourself), and it does not seem to be resolved easily, let the appropriate department personnel (Lisa Mattsson, [e-mail]) know and ask for their guidance. Let’s have a fun and successful semester!

Notice to New Employees

Employment will require a criminal background check. A pending criminal charge or conviction will not necessarily disqualify an applicant. In compliance with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, the University does not discriminate on the basis of arrest or conviction record.

EEO Statement

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

The Universities of Wisconsin serve approximately 161,000 students. Awarding nearly 37,000 degrees annually, the Universities of Wisconsin is Wisconsin’s talent pipeline, putting graduates in position to increase their earning power, contribute to their communities, and make Wisconsin a better place to live. Nearly 90 percent of in-state Universities of Wisconsin graduates stay in Wisconsin five years after earning a degree – with a median salary of more than $66,000. The Universities of Wisconsin provides a 23:1 return on state investment. The Universities of Wisconsin also contribute to the richness of Wisconsin’s culture and economy with groundbreaking research, new companies and patents, and boundless creative intellectual energy. The Universities of Wisconsin and its employees are purpose-driven, people-focused, and committed to stewardship.