Graduate Studies

Graduate Studies Thriving as a GA/TA

The Faculty of Graduate Studies is: Jim Frank (Dean) Michael Crawford (Associate Dean) Alison Samson (Assistant to the Dean) Marie Hawkins (Admissions) Brenda Schreiber (Scholarships, GAs/TAs) Christine Maitre (Programming issues) Svetlana Georgieva (Thesis Deposition) Lisa Timperio (Scholarships, GAs/TAs) Marla Lewis (Reception, Scholarships, Reg.)

Some Tendencies in Students • Many are very young - 1st time away from home unsupervised • Conservative • Feel entitled, not privileged • Expect instant gratification - email is slow and old fashioned

The three most important elements to thriving in a teaching environment are: preparation, preparation, and preparation.

1. Know what is expected of you by the course instructor • office hours? • marking schema provided? • what kind of feedback is preferred? • timelines for getting assignments marked • email, message board? • process for responding to grade disputes

2. Know what is expected of you by the students reliably available consistently applied grading scheme equality of access to help and instruction respond to queries promptly, with seriousness, and dignity

Know the material • it is sometimes preferable to respond to a question with a question to lead them to an answer. • don’t improvise – if you do not know an answer (you are not omniscient – it is normal and expected on occasion), tell them that you will return with clarification.

Know how much time you are supposed to dedicate to the various teaching tasks, and budget accordingly. • If there is a clear discrepancy regarding time management or allocation, bring it up with the course instructor in a diplomatic manner.

Be careful how you provide feedback • address specific points wherever possible • be positive and helpful NEVER sarcastic or funny • use a colour, but avoid marking extensively in red • keep a back-up of grades recorded

6. Have an idea what kinds of disputes/situations are likely to arise and what to do when they do. • Make it a policy to refuse to consider disputes until students have had the assignment for 24 hours • Ask them to email a detailed outline of the dispute with a request for an appointment • Go to the appointment prepared

Dispute points • where did I lose marks? • my friend wrote the same thing but got 10% more marks... • what is the right answer to the assignments? • how can I do well if it is clear that you do not like me • you are required to be available to help me but you are never available • you don’t really know the right answer Student Strategies • whiner • bully • sycophant (flirt, friend/peer, groveller) • tragic actor

Strategies for You to Deal with above • be serious, respectful and professional - insist on the same from them. • do not get pulled into their personal life – remain objective, but be respectful of trust that is placed in you. be careful with confidences. • be a good listener - hear them out, take notes • don’t be rushed or bullied • unless there is an obvious error on your part, don’t change a grade without taking time to give the decision serious thought – you can always respond at a later date. • if you feel that the interview is getting out of control, suggest sitting down and discussing it with the course instructor • be prepared to substantiate your comments • let the course instructor to deal with the medical documentation/arbitration

Have FUN!!!!

Graduate Studies