Graduate Assistant

Title: Post-Graduate Teaching Intern (PGTI)

Department/Location: Academic Dean

Position Type: Part-Time

Summary

Post-graduates are invited to explore the experience of teaching at the college level as a possible career goal. Through intentional mentoring by the supervising faculty and participation in a professional learning community, the PGTI will learn about educational principles outlined in Education at the Principia by Mary Kimball Morgan as they apply them throughout their internship. The PGTI program is experiential in nature, starting with a shared experience and building learning through reflection and iterative application. Work cannot exceed 20 hours per week, including duties such as take-home work, preparation for classes and student meetings.

Principia College seniors and recent graduates can explore college teaching as a means of service to mankind by introducing them to the vision of Principia’s educational philosophy from a teaching perspective.

“Principia College’s academic unit strives to create a collaborative and inclusive academic community where everyone feels a sense of belonging and sees each other as infinitely capable and divinely whole. Our rigorous globally-focused curriculum and character-based approach honors diverse perspectives and develops creative problem solvers who use their academic skills to benefit their communities and the world.”

Who We Are

At our award-winning Early Childhood through grade 12 Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education—blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia’s team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of alumni and friends. 

At Principia College, our globally focused curriculum honors diverse perspectives and develops creative changemakers who use their academic skills for good in service to themselves, their communities, and the world. In-depth study meets real-world experience through study abroad programs, internships, capstone projects, and a robust slate of student activities, including a world-renowned mediation team, top-ranked solar car team, national champion rugby club, and the nation’s oldest student-run public affairs conference. 

Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued. 

Primary Responsibilities

• Participates in pre-term new faculty orientation workshop
• Participates in PGTI learning community meetings
• Actively supports Principia’s mission
• Maintains availability for student meetings as appropriate
• Has frequent meetings with supervisor
• Prepares classroom lessons (at least 2 per term)
• Delivers lessons (at least 2 per term)
• Writes a short reflection on lessons taught
• Meets with supervisor to review successes and opportunities for improvement, including feedback after teaching
• Offers tutor support to students when appropriate
• Attends department meetings when appropriate
• Supports department through office duties (Not to exceed 20% of duties – maximum 4 hours per week)
• Can support research (optional)
• Works with supervisor to set SMART goals and achieve them
• Completes self-evaluation at the end of the term

NOTE: The intern does not substitute for the regular faculty and is never the teacher of record.

Core Competencies

• Technical Skills: Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; pursues training and development opportunities; strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; shares expertise with others
• Inclusive: Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences while providing a safe learning environment
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly; listens effectively; responds well to questions; tailors communication style to meet the need of the recipient
• Interpersonal Skills: Maintains confidentiality; ability to work effectively and professionally with students, faculty, and staff at all levels and build strong relationships
• Team players: Ability to collaborate and partner with peers and senior leaders is critical, with an ability to listen, give and receive feedback, and be comfortable exchanging ideas and speaking candidly in a professional and collegial manner 
• Planning and Organizing: Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; manages multiple projects and tasks simultaneously 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements as articulated here https://www.principia.edu/about/guiding-statements 
• Bachelor’s Degree 
• Ability to be an effective, professional role model for students

The statements above describe the general nature and level of work but are not a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of Principia.  

Compensation and Benefits 

We offer an hourly wage for this position: $15 hourly

Our comprehensive total rewards package includes:

Equal Opportunity

Principia, a mission-driven institution, believes every person has the right to an equitable and respectful educational environment and workplace. Principia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, or military or veteran status. 

In hiring, admissions, and related decisions, Principia—as an institution with a religious mission—gives preference, where appropriate, to Christian Scientists.