What does a student instructor do?
Typically, a Student Instructor engages students in learning the assignments, materials, pacing, resources, and activities. Student Instructors learn and enforce questioning and discussion strategies in promoting knowledge acquisition and student participation. Typically, they are studying at a graduate or college level. They eventually assume most responsibilities of teachers in the class like lesson planning, class management, and assessment.
Student instructor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real student instructor resumes:
- Develop expanded communication and teaching skills on explaining the human anatomy and its functions to achieve student understanding and patient education.
- Present eye-catching PowerPoint shows to introduce and cement biological concepts.
- Prepare written materials and PowerPoint presentations to supplement college courses.
- Develop expanded communication and teaching skills on explaining the human anatomy and its functions to achieve student understanding and patient education.
- Develop curricula for first year course in rhetoric and composition.
- Organize and clean genetics labs and experiments.
- Instruct students in the proper handling of chemicals and equipment such as microscopes, pipettes and gel electrophoresis apparatus.
- Instruct undergraduate statistical lab utilizing SPSS statistical software.
- Assist during class with assignments involving analyzing statistical techniques using SPSS software.
- Teach introductory composition and rhetoric courses.
- Conduct laboratory studies focusing on electrophoresis and protein digestion.
- Instruct and plan exams for TOEFL
Student instructor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 20% of Student Instructors are proficient in Kids, Professional Development, and Classroom Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Speaking skills, and Writing skills.
We break down the percentage of Student Instructors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Kids, 20%
Work with kids and teach them version control and basic programming languages, such as Python and JavaScript.
- Professional Development, 14%
Facilitated administration, faculty and staff professional development workshops on various topics, upon request.
- Classroom Management, 7%
Implemented positive classroom management strategies and established positive classroom climate.
- Lab Reports, 7%
Developed course framework; conceptualized student homework assignments and lab reports.
- C++, 7%
Introduced school students to programming languages like C, C++, Web Application development, Java and help them learn the concepts
- Undergraduate Courses, 6%
Assisted in teaching 8 undergraduate courses ranging in size from 20-100 students.
Most student instructors use their skills in "kids," "professional development," and "classroom management" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential student instructor responsibilities here:
Interpersonal skills. One of the key soft skills for a student instructor to have is interpersonal skills. You can see how this relates to what student instructors do because "postsecondary teachers need to work well with others for tasks such as instructing students and serving on committees." Additionally, a student instructor resume shows how student instructors use interpersonal skills: "experienced in individualizing instruction, utilizing positive behavioral interventions and support, along with strong interpersonal and classroom management skills. "
Speaking skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling student instructor duties is speaking skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "postsecondary teachers need good communication skills to present lectures and provide feedback to students." According to a student instructor resume, here's how student instructors can utilize speaking skills in their job responsibilities: "designed syllabus, presented lectures, and facilitated all aspects of discussion section. "
Writing skills. This is an important skill for student instructors to perform their duties. For an example of how student instructor responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "postsecondary teachers need strong writing ability to publish original research and analysis." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a student instructor: "provide tutoring in the areas of history, criminal justice, sociology, psychology, and writing. ".
The three companies that hire the most student instructors are:
- Columbia University in the City of New York4 student instructors jobs
- Catholic Charities Health and Human Services
1 student instructors jobs
- The Menta Group1 student instructors jobs
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Compare different student instructors
Student instructor vs. Adjunct lecturer
An Adjunct Lecturer is responsible for teaching college classes. They prepare course guides, teach content that matches courses standards, and assist students with inquiries outside of class.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between student instructors and adjunct lecturer. For instance, student instructor responsibilities require skills such as "kids," "professional development," "classroom management," and "lab reports." Whereas a adjunct lecturer is skilled in "excellent interpersonal," "rehabilitation," "course syllabus," and "literature." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Adjunct lecturers really shine in the education industry with an average salary of $95,827. Comparatively, student instructors tend to make the most money in the education industry with an average salary of $51,872.The education levels that adjunct lecturers earn slightly differ from student instructors. In particular, adjunct lecturers are 19.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a student instructor. Additionally, they're 5.9% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Student instructor vs. Teaching fellow
An individual who works at an institution to foster the students' academic strive is known as a teaching fellow. They are known as a self-motivated and education-based counselor. They help to pursue a better career perspective in an individual's academic endeavors.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real student instructor resumes. While student instructor responsibilities can utilize skills like "kids," "professional development," "c++," and "python," teaching fellows use skills like "academic support," "rehabilitation," "math," and "teaching methodologies."
Teaching fellows earn a lower average salary than student instructors. But teaching fellows earn the highest pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $49,553. Additionally, student instructors earn the highest salaries in the education with average pay of $51,872 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Teaching fellows tend to reach similar levels of education than student instructors. In fact, they're 3.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 5.9% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for student instructors in the next 3-5 years?
Helen Callus
Professor of Viola, Northwestern University
I imagine this might become part of the framework that we offer in the future. Students should understand how to present themselves in these situations, understanding sound and picture quality devices (what microphones and cameras are best), internet speeds, ethernet cables, router devices, lighting, etc. But it is an excellent opportunity to understand the media of film/video and how to create best a sound video recording for competitions, summer festivals, or college applications. We were already using that medium for prescreens, so this is a chance to refine that skill as, without doubt, that will be a part of our future.
Student instructor vs. Adjunct faculty
Adjunct faculty is the collective term for adjunct professors or lecturers. The adjunct faculty teaches students based on the limited-term of their contract. Oftentimes, they teach preparatory or introductory courses by semester arrangement for the entire academic year. Most of them are employed in higher education. Unlike regular professors, adjunct faculty do not have benefits and are not required to be present in meetings. They can work as either a contract professor or a part-time professor.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, student instructors are more likely to have skills like "kids," "lab reports," "c++," and "python." But a adjunct faculty is more likely to have skills like "philosophy," "course syllabus," "learning environment," and "course objectives."
Adjunct faculties make a very good living in the government industry with an average annual salary of $115,189. On the other hand, student instructors are paid the highest salary in the education industry, with average annual pay of $51,872.When it comes to education, adjunct faculties tend to earn higher degree levels compared to student instructors. In fact, they're 15.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 5.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Student instructor vs. Lecturer
A lecturer, also known as a university lecturer, is a teaching professional who teaches students in colleges and educational establishments. Lecturers provide support to students in their research activities by assessing their work and through a pastoral and advisory role. Aside from teaching students, lecturers may carry out administrative tasks such as student enrolment, induction programmers, and involvement in committees and boards. They may also contribute to professional seminars and seminars about their expertise and participate in the training activities of staff members.
Types of student instructor
Updated January 8, 2025
