Graduate students balance many roles: student, researcher, teacher, mentor and more! One important role a graduate student may hold in their time at VU is that of a teaching assistant. While teaching assistant (TA) duties vary across departments, they all demand considerable skill and knowledge. These duties can include grading, consulting with students during office hours, leading discussion or problem sessions, teaching labs or giving lectures.
To assist new TAs as they prepare for their duties, AdvancED’s Office of Educational Design and Development (OEDD) will offer Teaching Assistant Orientation (TAO) each August.
- TAO sessions offer effective strategies for the varied teaching duties assumed by TAs and provide information on campus resources available to TAs.
- Participants at TAO also receive an opportunity to practice their teaching skills and receive feedback on their teaching from experienced teachers.
Participation in the orientation can make students’ work as TAs easier and will be a valuable addition to their curriculum vitae. Participation in the TAO develops transferable skills valuable for a wide range of careers, including effective communication, classroom management, problem-solving and time management.
Program Details
TAO is now in-person!
Wednesday, August 14, 2024 | 10am - 5:30pm
Location: Featheringill Jacobs Hall
New for August 2024, AdvancED will be hosting an in-person Teaching Assistant Orientation. This one-day event on Wednesday, August 14, is designed for new and returning TAs, providing them with valuable information and skills to navigate a range of topics, from university policies to giving constructive feedback during grading.
TAO participants will have the opportunity to customize their experience by selecting three workshops tailored to their current TA responsibilities. They also will hear from experienced TAs who will share insights on successfully navigating the role, as well as receive training from institutional leaders and experts on evidence-based teaching and learning practices. Participants can expect to leave with a set of actionable tools they can immediately apply in their roles as TAs.
Eligibility
- Graduate students who will begin teaching assistant (TA) duties during the 2024-25 school year.
- Graduate students who have previous TA experience but will be returning as a TA during the 2024-25 school year.
- Some graduate students opt in to TAO, while some are required to attend TAO by their department. Please check with your department to find out its TAO attendance policy.
- If you do not know if you will begin your TA duties during the 2024-25 school year, then you should check with your department to find out.