I started as a TA and then went full-time. I distinctly remember a meeting after going full-time where we were asked to brainstorm ways to help TAs "move on" and not consider their roles permanent employment. That was back in 2020 or so. Back then, the TAs, often recent grads from the boot camps themselves, were basically unpaid for the mountain of grading they were doing and were expected to assist struggling learners even if it meant staying way after class. So, the actual rate per hour was pretty dismal but the TAs were doing it because they were dedicated to the learners! By the way, never during that time when 2U was reflecting on the TAs staying too long did 2U connect the fact that the TAs were staying on as TAs for multiple cohorts because they could NOT get a job because their boot camp experience did not prepare them for a job and career services was a joke. So, the only thing that surprises me is that 2U actually offered the part-timers anything, even a $500 joke. This group of part-timers has always been the front-liners that the learners interact with and can make or break an experience for a learner. But 2U just doesn't care.
Bumping from @lwf+1qCAyYsQ. Simple truth.