Tech Developer Teaching Assistant - First Year Academy

Title: Teaching Assistant - First Year Academy

Department: SEO Tech Developer

Reports To: Program Manager - Tech Developer

Compensation: $45/hr

All candidates must reside within commutable distance of SEO’s offices at 55 Exchange Place, New York, NY 10005, upon hire.

LOCATION/HOURS  
This is a part-time, remote position. It is expected that position duties will be performed remotely. Access to our office location and event attendance is optional. The time commitment is 8-10 hours per week

POSITION OVERVIEW

We are looking for a Teaching Assistant for SEO Tech Developer’s First Year Academy (FYA), who will work as an instructor and mentor for first-year college students interested in pursuing careers in technology. The Teaching Assistant will work closely with our Program Manager and another Teaching Assistant to guide students through a remote, mostly asynchronous course focused on Python and software engineering fundamentals.

The program is split into two phases: Phase One involves weekly assignments for students on topics such as for loops, conditionals, object-oriented programming, recursion, etc. After a month-long break, students who successfully complete this training will return for Phase Two. Here, they will develop a substantial game-based project using Pygame while sticking to SWE best practices such as readable and clean version control commits, project management tools, and paired programming.

While the technical training occurs, FYA participants will also be immersed in career development and exploration opportunities through workshops and guest-speaker fireside chats. The Teaching Assistant team will help guide and facilitate these workshops using their experiences in the tech industry to tailor relevant and engaging material.

On a day-to-day basis, the Teaching Assistant can expect to:

• Work with beginner coders during office hours to debug code and guide them through project-based assignments

• Work with teaching staff to develop and execute weekly lesson plans around coding fundamentals and project management best practices

• Continuously assess course impact and share timely feedback with program staff regarding curriculum improvement

• Conduct weekly check-ins to track student progress

• Coordinate with program staff to lead final project presentation demos during the last week of the program June 8 - 12, 2026

QUALIFICATIONS

• Teaching experiences through mentorship of early-career engineers, academia, or professional training programs

• Proficiency in Python

• Ability to adapt teaching methods across various technical and holistic backgrounds

• Excellent communication and leadership skills

• Ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively to implement and deliver program curriculum

• Deep understanding and commitment to carrying out SEO’s mission and values

• At least one year of full-time software engineering experiences (internships allowed)

• Strong interest in career mentorship, empowerment and exploration

• Instructional design experience on a project-based curriculum

• Understanding of project management best practices and techniques

• Experience tracking and analyzing program participant data using a database platform such as Airtable

• Experience leading technical, interactive lectures for large groups of students

PROGRAM DATES

• Phase One: 2/18 - 4/24. Phase Two: 5/18 - 6/12

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS   

This position is benefits ineligible in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations.

The compensation listed in this posting reflects what SEO believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and SEO reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time.

EEOC Policy  

At SEO we are committed to cultivating a team that embodies the backgrounds and experiences of the constituencies we serve and the communities we live in, and a workplace that reflects the impact we make in the world. Candidates from all communities – including people of color, women, members of the LGBTQIA+ Community, veterans, and people with disabilities – are strongly encouraged to apply.

Equal Employment Opportunity is not just the law, it is our commitment.

Sponsors for Educational Opportunity is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer – M/F/D/V. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information or characteristics, or any other legally protected status.

If you need accommodation while applying for a role with SEO, due to a disability, please email SEO Talent.

THE ORGANIZATION

Established in 1963 by Michael Osheowitz, SEO (Sponsors for Educational Opportunity) is an educational non-profit founded on the belief that talent is everywhere; but opportunity is not. Our programs are designed to educate, train, mentor, and amplify the voices of our participants to give them a seat at the table – every table. We propel human potential.

SEO is an innovator in education, mentorship, and creating educational career opportunities that maximize the full potential of our participants. Each year SEO serves 7,000+ participants nationally, and the organization is widely recognized for developing best-in-class programs with exceptional results.

Not every SEO participant is on the same journey, but all are hungry for opportunity and SEO creates an ecosystem of excellence. Learn more about SEO's programs here: https://www.seo-usa.org/our-programs/.