Teaching Assistants' Training Program

Alli Diskin, TATP Program Assistant
Abdullah Farooqi, TATP Humanities Trainer

We’ve all experienced teachers who left a lasting impression, who made us excited and who made us feel like we were capable of anything. But what do certain teachers do that makes them so great? Is there one set of characteristics that all inspirational teachers possess? Or are there many characteristics that can work in a variety of ways in different environments and situations? What role do individuals’ personalities play in the development and expression of their teaching presence?

Drawing from research on pedagogical practice and performance studies as well as from individuals’ experiences both as students and as teachers, this workshop will present ways of thinking about how instructors and TAs can use teaching strategies, technological tools, and aspects of their own personalities to hone a distinctive and authentic teaching presence. We will break down the notion of an “ideal” teacher, and explore the challenges and opportunities that these ideals present in the classroom. We will discuss characteristics that help make teachers effective and memorable, and help students understand what they need to succeed. Through group activities, discussion and small-group reflection, we will examine some of the common strengths of excellent teachers, interrogate what makes these characteristics function, and how they can be used and adapted in different fields and teaching environments.