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Navigating the first year as a teaching assistant (TA) in graduate school can be daunting. This guide offers insight into the critical aspects of teaching, such as the importance of timeliness, integrity, and keeping expectations realistic. While previous teaching experience can be helpful, it is not a necessity. Focus on your priorities: excelling in research and classes is vital for graduation. Balance your time wisely, maintain professionalism, and communicate effectively with your instructor and students. Embrace the experience and enjoy the journey!
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Do I have any teaching experience? • Helpful – Already know something about running a lab section • Not essential – many outstanding TA’s have come from non-teaching backgrounds • Few(er) bad traits to “unlearn”
Priorities of graduate school • Research – Must have to graduate • Classes – Doing poorly can keep you from progressing towards a degree • Teaching – Doing OK is expected • Other – no semblance to a normal social life! Where does your family fit in? Relationships, significant others? Choose wisely! Too much outside “stuff” will keep you from doing the classes and research.
Good Teaching Habits/Traits • Timeliness – Especially with grading lab reports • Integrity – Not having favorites • Reliability – Being where you are needed to be • Punctuality – being on time. This is a job and being late is a non-starter. • What traits are important to you?
Fear and what you can do with it • Practice the experiments – we will ALL DO THIS TOGETHER after your TA meetings (CHEM 1320 and 1330) • Practice the recitations – Do this together and if possible, watch an experienced TA. • Don’t worry about what your students think of you • Try NOT to have unrealistic expectations your first time teaching.
By the Authority vested in me . . . . . • The authority you have is DELEGATED to you from the instructor of the class. • You should check with your instructor OR me before you say what you can or can’t do. • Your “policy sheet” and your expectations need to be in line with EVERY OTHER TA for that class. You are not special nor are your students. • There is a chain of command: course instructor, me, you, and then your students. Frequently, I will speak for the instructor.
Tales from the trenches . . . • Don’t believe everything you hear. • Don’t exceed your authority and have your own lab rules. • Don’t believe your own press (good and bad). • Have fun!
