• PTI Volunteer Application

    Summer and Fall 2026

  • The Prison Teaching Initiative seeks to bridge Princeton University’s academic and service-driven missions by providing the highest-quality postsecondary education to incarcerated students in New Jersey; offering Princeton University graduate students, postdocs, faculty, and staff innovative, evidence-based pedagogy training and the chance to diversify their teaching portfolios through intensive classroom experience; creating pathways through Princeton’s campus with paid internships and holistic supports for justice-impacted students; and fostering a robust campus dialogue on mass incarceration and its relationship to systemic inequalities in access to education.

     

    Thanks so much for your interest in volunteering with the Prison Teaching Initiative at Princeton University! This application is for Summer and Fall 2026. Volunteers may apply to support either or both semesters with this application.

     

    Applications are due Tuesday, March 24!

     

    We ask NEW volunteers to commit to 2 semesters with PTI. New volunteers and all volunteers who are current graduate students should have an updated C.V. and unofficial graduate transcripts onhand before starting this application.

     

    Summer 2026 Volunteer Opportunities

    PTI will focus on tutoring inside NJDOC prisons and staffing Coding Foundations for Research (CFR), our internship program for formerly incarcerated, current undergraduates that is run on Princeton’s campus. 

    Fall 2026 Volunteer Opportunities

    PTI will focus on its core mission of supporting college education for students incarcerated across the state of New Jersey.

     

    NOTE TO UNDERGRADUATES: While we welcome undergrad volunteers, please note that you must have completed at least two years of undergraduate study to be eligible to volunteer with PTI. If you have not yet met that requirement, we're happy to add you to our email list for potential volunteers so you can stay updated on PTI happenings until you can apply!

     

    If you experience any problems with the form, please email pti@princeton.edu.

  • Are you a new or returning volunteer with PTI?*

  • PTI New Volunteer Application

  • We ask NEW volunteers to commit to 2 semesters with PTI. That could be any combination of Summer, Fall, and Spring that works for your schedule.

    New volunteer training requirements vary based on role.

    If you are placed to support Coding Foundations of Research, you will need to attend the following sessions:

    • CFR All-Hands - Kick-Off on April 7 at 9:30-11 AM in the PTI Office
    • CFR All-Hands - Demos on May 13 at 10:30 AM - 12 PM in the PTI Office
    • One PTI New Summer Volunteer Training, either:
      • May 13 at 9-10:30 AM in the PTI Office
      • May 19 at 1:30-3 PM in the PTI Office
    • Any team-specific planning meetings

    If you are placed to teach or tutor at a New Jersey Department of Corrections facility, you will need to complete the following sessions:

    • NJDOC Civilian Orientation (online)
    • NJDOC Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Training (online)
    • PTI new volunteer orientation (specific to volunteer roles)
    • PTI team meeting (specific to volunteer roles)
       

    If you are placed to teach or tutor at FCI Fort Dix, you will need to complete the following sessions:

    • FCI Fort Dix/Bureau of Prisons volunteer orientation (in-person)
    • PTI new volunteer orientation (specific to volunteer roles)
    • PTI team meeting (specific to volunteer roles)
       

    *Note: If you're only able to volunteer for 1 semester and have already been given an exception by a PTI staff member, please select 'Yes' for the following question.

  • Do you agree to volunteer with PTI for 2 semesters?*

  • PTI Volunteer Application

    Basic information for all PTI volunteers
  •  -

  • Summer Volunteer Opportunities

    Learn more about Summer programming and the volunteer roles we're recruiting for.

  • Tutoring at NJDOC

    We recruiting returning volunteers who can tutor in NJDOC facilities during the Summer, June 3 - July 31. Volunteers must have taught or tutored in the DOC before (although they may need to renew their clearance status to do so again this year). If you are a new volunteer and want to work with our NJDOC programming, we encourage you to apply for the Fall! 

     

    Coding Foundations of Research

    Coding Foundations of Research is designed for undergraduates excited to increase their proficiency with computers and includes intensive training in computer literacy and coding with Python. Students will apply their new coding skills to analyze scientific data from the field of astronomy, supported by instructors through group and individual instruction. PTI volunteers facilitate this training through the following series of modules taught as lecture-tutorials.

    Scientific Thought and Practice (STP) - June 1-12 @ 1:30-4:30 PM
    In this unit, interns will learn the practices of scientific inquiry through investigation and discovery. During each session, interns will design and conduct experiments to investigate a range of relationships that are the backbone of scientific research. The focus is for interns to develop skills of observation and critical thinking rather than learning about the physical concepts derived from the experimental results.

    STP Assistants

    • Work with STP Coordinator to assemble the needed materials and equipment before each session.
    • Support the facilitation of each investigation and ask questions that lead interns to make observations and think critically about the entire process.
    • Help students navigate the experimental materials, Logger Pro software, and instrumentation.
    • Attend and support weekly group meetings during June 15 - July 24 (typically Fridays).

    Digital and Computer Literacy (DCL) - June 2-5 @ 9 AM - 12 PM
    In this unit, interns will be introduced to their laptops and walk through the basics of digital and computer literacy. This week-long session of tutorials starts with basic operation of the laptop such as file management and operating essential software, preparing interns to be successful throughout the rest of CFR. 

    DCL Instructors

    • Work collaboratively with the DCL Coordinator and fellow instructors to revise instructional materials for 2-3 DCL lecture-tutorial sessions.
    • Teach 2-3 assigned lecture-tutorial sessions (1.25 hrs each), working with Coordinator to make sure instructional and reference materials are made available to students before and after the sessions, respectively.
    • Act as an assistant for 2-3 lecture-tutorial sessions led by one of the other DCL instructors.

    Python Programming - June 8-18 @ 9 AM - 4:30 PM
    In this unit, interns will build off of their new skills in digital and computer literacy to learn the fundamentals of python programming, building towards data analysis and visualization. Interns will attend lecture-tutorial sessions where they will code along with instructors with the support of a teaching assistant.

    Python Instructors

    • Work collaboratively with the Python Programming Coordinators and fellow instructors to revise instructor and student copies of python notebooks for 4-5 Python Programming lecture-tutorial sessions.
    • Teach 4-5 Python Programming lecture-tutorial sessions (1.25 hrs each), uploading the instructor copy of the materials to the CFR google drive immediately after the session so students can access and refer to the completed course materials.

    Astro Research Module - June 22 - July 20
    In this unit interns will apply their recently learned python programming skills to computational research in astronomy. Each week interns will learn the basics of statistical analysis and how to use statistical methods to gain insight into astronomy by analysing an existing, research quality dataset. Interns will attend 3 weekly lecture-tutorials, followed by daily check-ins with instructors to address questions and get feedback on their work. There will also be supported working sessions where interns will get python programming support from a dedicated TA.

    Statistics Instructor - (Mondays)

    • Revise a 5-class lecture-tutorial series on basic statistics using python.
    • Attend regular CFR planning meetings, instructor material coordination meetings, and CFR All-Hands meetings.
    • Teach the weekly meeting of the Statistic Module lecture-tutorial.
    • Facilitate an end-of-day check-in with interns on the same day as the lecture-tutorial. Check-ins are intended as a means of giving interns feedback on their work and creating a system of accountability.

    Astronomy Research Instructors - (Tuesdays and Thursdays)

    • Revise an introductory 10-class lecture-tutorial series on computational research methods using python programming applied to astronomy.
    • Attend regular CFR planning meetings, instructor material coordination meetings, and CFR All-Hands meetings.
    • Co-teach the twice weekly meeting of the Astro Research Module lecture-tutorial.
    • Facilitate two additional check-ins with interns on the same days as the lecture-tutorials. Check-ins are intended as a means of giving interns feedback on their work and creating a system of accountability.

    All CFR Volunteers are required to attend:

    • CFR All-Hands - Kick-Off on April 7 at 9:30-11 AM in the PTI Office
    • CFR All-Hands - Demos on May 13 at 10:30 AM - 12 PM in the PTI Office
    • Any team-specific planning meetings
  • What is your FIRST-CHOICE role for the Summer term? For CFR, confirm the above schedule works you.*
  • If your first-choice role for Summer is not available, what other role(s) would you like to fill? (Choose all that apply.)
  • If you plan to tutor, please tell us what transportation method you will MAINLY rely on in Summer.*

  • Fall Volunteer Opportunities

    Learn more about the roles we're recruiting for.

  • For Fall, we're accepting volunteers to fill the following roles:

    • Instructors teach a variety of classes in teams of 2-4; to teach, instructors must have completed at least five graduate-level courses in the discipline to be taught (or, in some cases, one a closely related discipline).

    • Tutors provide academic support to students at correctional facilities; tutors must have completed at least two years of undergraduate study.

    • Off-site support volunteers help PTI with a variety of work. This work varies but past projects include developing course materials, grading for a class, and administrative work. Off-site volunteers must have completed at least two years of undergraduate study. (This position does not involve going into prisons.)
  • What is your FIRST-CHOICE role for the Fall?*
  • If your first-choice role for Fall is not available, what other role(s) would you like to fill? (Choose all that apply.)
  • Please tell us what transportation method you will MAINLY rely on in Fall.*
  • Which subjects are you most interested in? Select all that apply. (Please note that to TEACH one of these courses, you must have completed at least 5 graduate-level courses in the discipline.)*

  • If you are applying for an on-site position in the Fall, at which of the following facilities would you be interested in teaching or tutoring? Check all that apply. PLEASE BE REALISTIC ABOUT THE TIME/DISTANCE YOU CAN COMMIT TO TRAVELING.*
  • If you are applying for an on-site position in the Fall, please tell us which blocks of time might work best for you. These time ranges include travel time. Letting us know parts of the day when you are available allows us to create schedules that accommodate as many instructors as possible. IF YOU DO NOT KNOW YOUR SCHEDULE AT ALL YET, PLEASE CHOOSE THE FIRST OPTION AND DO NOT CHOOSE ANY OTHER DAYS/TIMES!*

  • PTI New Volunteer Application

  • Princeton Affiliation (if applicable)*
  • What is the highest level of education you have completed?*
  • If you are currently an undergraduate student (at Princeton or elsewhere), have you completed AT LEAST two years of undergraduate study? (Please note that this is the minimum requirement.)
  • If you are currently a graduate student (at Princeton or elsewhere), in which year of study are you?*
  • If you are currently a graduate student at Princeton, have you completed your generals?*
  • PTI instructors teach in teams of 3-4, with each team determining its own teaching schedule. They report committing approximately 8 hours per class session for the duration of the academic term. These time commitments include teaching, lesson-planning, designing and grading assignments, meeting and communicating with co-instructors, and traveling to and from the prison. ARE YOU COMFORTABLE MAKING THIS TIME COMMITMENT?*
  • Browse Files
    Cancelof
  • Browse Files
    Cancelof

  • PTI New Volunteer Application

  • Thank you so much for your interest in volunteering with PTI! Your next step is to schedule a 30-minute informational interview. These interviews are informal opportunities for us to get to know you and for you to ask us any questions you might have. Please schedule an interview with a PTI staff member by using the booking link for the staff member who's work aligns with your interests. If the link gives you an error, try opening it link in an incognito browser.

    • Book an appointment with Dena Lane-Bonds, our Humanities & Social Sciences Instructional Specialist, if you have applied to teach or support humanities or social sciences offerings. (Note, psychology falls in this category rather than in STEM.)

    • Book an appointment with Marion Alberty, our STEM Instructional Specialist, if you have applied for CFR, to teach a STEM course, or to support STEM offerings.

    • Book an appointment with Brandon Kronstat, our Associate Director, if you have applied to tutor or support PTI admin.


    If you cannot find a day and time with the appropriate staff member, please reach out to PTI@princeton.edu.

  • Please confirm that you have signed up for an interview with an appropriate staff member.*

  • PTI Returning Volunteer Application

  • Browse Files
    Cancelof
  • Browse Files
    Cancelof

  • We are also looking for course coordinators and tutoring site coordinators for the Summer and Fall semesters.

     

    Course coordinators are responsible for facilitating team communication throughout the course of one semester, starting with syllabus creation meetings and ending with the submission of final grades. A full member of the teaching team, the course coordinator will ensure that all new instructors are accompanied by an experienced member of the teaching team in their first time inside and check in with them afterwards. Course coordinators meet with a PTI staff member every other week throughout the semester, and attend a short additional training session before the start-of-term.

     

    Tutoring site coordinators facilitate tutor communication throughout the course of one semester, ensure all new tutors are accompanied by an experienced tutor their first time inside and check in with them afterwards, and ensure adequate weekly primary and back-up coverage throughout the semester. Finally, the coordinator will report any issues to PTI staff in a timely manner and meet with the PTI associate director every other week throughout the semester.

     

    Both position offers a small stipend to current graduate students. Coordinators should have volunteered at least one semester with PTI in the role they will coordinate for.

  • Would you be interested in fulfilling a course coordinator role in the fall term?*
  • Would you be interested in fulfilling a tutoring site coordinator role in the fall term?*

  • PTI New Volunteer Application

  • Thank you for your interest in PTI, but at this time, we are unable to accept new volunteers who cannot commit to two semesters. We will open recruitment again in the Fall - you are welcome to apply then!

     

    Feel free to give us your information below if you'd like to be added to our prospective volunteers list or let us know what's keeping you from committing at this time.

  • Should be Empty: