Pre-College High School Course Assistant (TA), In Person, Summer 2026

Through Columbia University's Pre-College Programs, high schoolers from around the globe prepare for the college experience through exploratory coursework and community activities over seven weeks in the summer. This highly selective program is open to academically exceptional high school students, entering grades 9–12 and freshman year of college.

Columbia University’s Pre-College Programs for High School Students is seeking qualified candidates to serve as High School Course Assistants (TAs) to teach on-campus (i.e., in person) courses during Summer ’26. 

Please Note: Course(s) and course availability is subject to change. Dates and class times are tentative and subject to change.  

Sessions:

• Session AA - 1 Week: June 22nd - June 26th
• Session A - 3 Week: June 29th - July 17th
• Session B - 3 Week: July 21st - August 7th
• Session C - 1 Week: August 3rd - August 7th

Class Times: 

• 9:10-11am & 1:10-3pm OR
• 11:10am-1pm & 3:10-5pm

Job Summary: Reporting to the Senior Associate and Associate Directors for Pre-College, with guidance from their designated course teacher, HS Assistants help teachers with pedagogy (assisting individual students or groups of students, in or outside of class; helping with the evaluation of student work; occasionally delivering guest lectures) and also with logistics (organizing in-class activities, taking attendance, monitoring student conduct, etc).

Responsibilities: 

High School Program Assistants assist teachers with pedagogy and course logistics. 

Pedagogical responsibilities may include: 

• Assist with breakout sessions or lab work (if applicable)
• Help teachers in evaluating student work
• Advise students by request and monitor student concerns
• Tutor students outside of class time when requested
• Deliver occasional guest lectures

Logistical responsibilities may include: 

• Organizing field trips or visits by guest speakers
• Taking attendance
• Monitoring student conduct
• For courses being conducted online - Attending training sessions and modules to learn the online curricular technology being used for the virtual classroom. Technologies include, but are not limited to, CourseWorks and Zoom. 

• Either (1) bachelor’s or graduate-level degree in a related field, (2) current enrollment in a pertinent undergraduate program at Columbia University/Barnard College,  or (3) current enrollment in a pertinent graduate program.
• Strong content knowledge as it relates to the subject matter required.
• Strong written and oral communication skills required.
• Previous teaching assistant or tutoring experience preferred.

Compensation:

• 3-Week Courses: $2,549
• 1-Week Courses: $911

Please specify which session(s) you would be interested in teaching.  

• Please submit a resume inclusive of teaching experience as well as formal teaching evaluations (if available)
• Applicants must have U.S. work authorization and will need to be in the U.S. while teaching
• Applicants may not hold a concurrent appointment with Columbia for the duration of their appointment
• Once hired, applicants are required to submit to a third party background check and complete Protection of Minors training in addition to other training(s) mandated by the University and Pre-College Program

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran