Teaching Assistants' Training Program

Description

As a Teaching Assistant, it is important that you and the Course Instructor maintain clear lines of communication. You may play a variety of roles in a course, while also carving out time for your graduate work. Establishing and maintaining an effective and positive relationship with a CI will positively affect students’ experiences, and will also support your own work-life balance. Navigating this relationship can be challenging. This workshop will explore the various considerations around the power dynamics in a TA-CI relationship as they relate to determining course objectives, discussing teaching styles and roles, allocating hours for responsibilities, and setting expectations. This workshop will also delve into strategies for responding to several key issues: how to prevent and mitigate potential challenges, how to optimize opportunities to communicate effectively in a teaching team, and how to come together for collaborative learning and teaching, professional development, and skills building.