Teaching Assistant Program (TA Program)

Cerritos College's Teaching Assistant Program is looking for aspiring community college educators who want to gain experience and learn inclusive and equity-minded teaching methods that meet the needs of our diverse student population.

About the Program:

The Teaching Assistant Program at Cerritos Community College prepares individuals to become community college instructors. The Program assumes that potential Teaching Assistants have expertise in the subject to be taught but need an opportunity to learn and to practice the teaching techniques that are appropriate for community college students. The Teaching Assistants will be assigned to work with a Cerritos College instructor in one class for the Fall  or Spring semester. Day, evening, and Saturday opportunities may be available.

TA Program Schedule

Event/Semester Dates Description
Orientation Aug The Teaching Assistant Program begins with a Summer Orientation. Qualified teaching assistants will be invited to attend. This orientation will focus on preparing TAs for teaching and learning in the college classroom.
Fall Semester Aug - Dec TAs will be matched with an experienced teaching in your academic or vocational field. Follow-up workshops will be provided to help TAs get hired as a community college teacher.
Spring Semester Jan  - May Spring Semester is optional. TAs may continue to participate in the TA Program depending on their academic or vocational field. 

Benefits:

Cerritos College will provide hands-on experience working with college students and the opportunity to learn new techniques necessary to be an instructor in a community college setting.

While there is no monetary compensation for participating in the Teaching Assistant Program, there are several benefits.

  • All TAs are afforded the opportunity to participate in Professional Development Workshops that are offered through the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTX), free of charge. Please visit the CTX website for offerings.
  • All TAs will have the ability to purchase a Semester Parking Permit. Parking Permits may be purchase after the TA has been approved by Human Resources. For a Campus Map, please visit the Campus Map.
  • All TAs will be given access to Cerritos College Wi-Fi Network located throughout campus. 
  • All TAs will be provided a Cerritos College Email Account. For assistance on setting up your email account, please call (562) 860-2451 ext. 2797 to setup an appointment with Monique Valencia, or stop by the Center for Teaching Excellence located in LC-201.
  • All TAs will have access to The Center for Teaching Excellence (CTX). The CTX is a quiet place where faculty members can come to work on materials, use the computers, receive assistance, and have the ability to meet and mingle with other faculty.  The CTX provides a location where academic and professional growth of faculty is the driving focus.

Eligibility:

Persons who are interested in a career as a community college instructor, have expertise in a subject area (either academic or vocational), and have not had paid professional teaching experience at the community college level are eligible. This includes:

  • Graduate students who have completed at least 50% of their program at an  accredited college or university;
  • Master's degree holders who have not had postgraduate teaching experience; and
  • Bachelor's degree holders with a minimum of two years of full-time occupational experience in a vocational/technical area.

Online Application:

Application Deadlines
Applications for Fall 2025 begins January 01, 2025
Applications will be accepted until April 30, 2025

Submission Requirements & Processes:  

Step 1: Interested persons must complete the preliminary online application before the deadline.

Online Application

Step 2: Submit required supporting documentation.

To complete your application, you are required to e-mail Monique Valencia with the following documentation. 

  1. Current Resume/Curriculum Vitae
  2. Unofficial Transcripts (Please note if name has changed since Transcripts were issued)

As part of the preliminary application, a letter of recommendation maybe requested. 

Step 3: Review of Applications will begin in June by the CTX office. 

Step 4: Selected candidates will be invited for an interview. The criteria used in selecting potential teaching assistants includes academic preparation or occupational expertise in disciplines where ethnic minorities or women are traditionally under represented. 

Step 5: All candidates who proceed to Step 5 must be cleared by Human Resources.  Detailed instructions will be sent to qualified applicants on how to complete additional required forms which include Volunteer Services forms, TB test results, fingerprinting (Live Scan), and proof of vaccinations.

Please feel free to contact the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTX) by e-mailing Monique Valencia, if you have any questions or concerns.