Instructional Assistants

Brief Description

LaunchCode Instructional Assistants are important and valuable members of a program’s Course Staff. Learner Engagement Specialists and Instructors rely on Instructional Assistants to reinforce the subject knowledge taught in the lecture, teach the application of concepts and skills, and foster a welcoming and supportive learning environment. Instructional Assistants take a very active role in ensuring Learners have high-quality educational and community experiences throughout the course, enabling engagement and retention.

At LaunchCode, Instructional Assistants guide a group of Learners as a principal education and support point of contact throughout the LaunchCode program, while simultaneously refining their professional development goals. The Instructional Assistant leadership experience provides the opportunity to grow not just your technical skills, but also public speaking, presentation, people management, and group facilitation skills.

Position Details

• We are hiring for both temporary full-time and temporary part-time non-exempt Instructional Assistant positions
• Part-Time requires approximately 6 - 10 hours per week and pays at a rate of $20/hour for the duration of the course
• Full-Time requires approximately 40 hours per week and pays at a rate of $27.50/hour for the duration of the course
• Course duration ranges from 16 - 47 weeks
• Instructional Assistants report to the Vice President of Talent Operations, with a dotted line relationship with Learner Engagement Specialists
  
  

Key Responsibilities

Oversee and Guide Learners (40%)

• Attend classes and conduct regularly scheduled office hours
• Support and encourage Learners; facilitate and encourage material understanding through:
• Study partner/groups
• Textbook Review
• Studio Review
• Learner Interdependency
• Brief review of material or concepts and assistance with:
• Technical issues
• Academic and social resources
• Check on each Learner regularly by:
• Answering individual questions
• Helping an individual through coding problems
• Assessing quizzes, exercises, and project submissions
• Identifying performance problems and working with them to create pathways for improvement
• Monitor Slack Community - flag posts or comments that may violate any aspect of the Code of Conduct, answer questions, and assist Learners in a prompt and timely manner
• Meet with Learner Engagement Specialists and other Instructional Assistants to discuss wins, areas for improvement, and to ideate learner success strategies
  

Classroom Preparation (30%)

• Review course content for the upcoming class
• Review and refine understanding of key concepts covered in each class
• Assess and prepare alternate ways to explain and demonstrate the concepts taught in the course work
• Anticipate questions - not only how to create solutions, but the ‘why’ behind an ideal solution
• Prepare open-ended questions for Learners that confirm understanding of the course materials
• Review the studio assignment
• Confer with other TAs, Learner Engagement Specialist, and/or Lead Instructor with questions or concerns
• Test access to all necessary materials technology
• Prepare supplemental exercises, practice tools or activities for learners when there is no studio assignment
• Additional class planning (classroom tools, engagement, etc.)
• Grade assignments
• Make sure documentation is up to date
• Brainstorm ideas/concerns/questions with other LaunchCode staff
• Plan, Anticipate, and Rehearse
• Public speaking and delivery
• Time management
• Q&A
  

Lead Classroom Studio (20%)

• Introduce and discuss Studio Activity
• Demonstrate the practical application of the Studio Activity; reinforce concepts
• Answer questions and conduct mini lesson/lecture
• Direct studio activity
• Ask the Learners questions to assess understanding of the material and assignment and confirm understanding
• Supplement specific studio assignments with paired activity, as needed
• Empower interdependency and proactivity
• Encourage participation; ask and answer questions
• Develop and implement large and small group learning activities
• Empower independent and interdependent learning
• Reinforce the Flipped Classroom Model
  

Administrative Duties (10%)

• Documentation
• Keep documentation up to date as a continuous, ongoing process
• Document all meaningful conversations and changes in the learner success tracker and other cohort documents.
• Revised deadline(s)
• Resolved issue(s)
• New concern(s)
• Assignment grading
• Verify Learner work and enter grades
• Verification of skills through walkthroughs
• Give feedback for Graded Assignments and Quizzes
• Regularly report to Instructor and LaunchCode staff on Learner progress and enrollment
• Report any problematic behaviors (for both course staff and Learners) to the Learner Engagement Specialist
• Ensure personal and Learner adherence to LaunchCode Code of Conduct, policies, procedures, and LaunchCode’s Academic Honesty Policy
  

Qualifications

• Technical proficiency in the program subject matter area and the concepts/ technologies taught in the LaunchCode curriculum as demonstrated by 2 years of professional experience in a technical setting or graduation from a LaunchCode program
• 1 years of teaching, mentoring, training, or related teaching experience
• Strong presentation and communication skills; comfortable leading class groups and providing one-on-one teaching assistance
• Able to adequately prepare learners for a role in technology by providing coaching in the areas of technical interviews, behavioral interviews, and resume support
  
  

If this describes you, you may be perfect for this role:

• Excellent leader- and followship skills.
• Passion for helping others learn technical skills for entry-level tech careers
• Prompt, dependable, and efficient with strong attention to detail
• Works well independently
• Excels in a fast-paced environment using real-time analysis and problem-solving skills
• Detail and data-oriented
• Perceptive and patient with the ability to recognize when people need help and guide them in problem-solving and resourcefulness
• Business acumen with a casual and professional demeanor
  
  

Technical Proficiencies

Software Development

• Core, universal programming concepts in the JavaScript language with a focus on problem-solving
• Fundamental front-end web programming concepts
• Object-oriented programming in Java
• Industry-grade web framework in Spring Boot
• Professional skills, including business communication, business acumen, resume review and behavioral and technical interviewing
• Knowledge of other back-end or full-stack web programming tools including
• React
• HTML
• CSS
• Thymeleaf
• C# (for specific cohorts)
• Professional experience preferred, but not required
• Full-Stack Web Developer
• Front-End Web Developer
• Back-End Web Developer
• Java Developer
• App Developer
• Software Developer
  

About LaunchCode

LaunchCode is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free tech education and job placement opportunities to individuals from all backgrounds. Our mission is to transform the tech industry by introducing diverse talent and reshaping employer hiring practices. We believe in the power of education to open doors and create opportunities in the tech field.