Center for Teaching & Learning - Teaching Assistant

	TEACHING ASSISTANT SUPPORT
	Teaching Assistant Support, coordinated by the Center for Teaching and Learning, is dedicated to providing instructional support for the pedagogical development of graduate assistants in preparation for instructional responsibilities at the University of Georgia and future careers.
	Policies
	University and Regents' TA Policies require that all new graduate teaching and laboratory assistants receive support for their instructional roles. The policies answer questions about language evaluations and requirements for international TAs and LAs, course requirements prior to teaching, and the training and support available to graduate students. Click here for the online version of TA Policies. Teaching and Laboratory Assistants Orientation All new graduate students who will have instructional responsibilities during the 2009-2010 academic year are required to attend Teaching Assistant Orientation before the beginning of the fall semester classes. Returning graduate students are encouraged to attend sessions of interest. The Fall 2009 TA Orientation will be held Thursday, August 13, starting in room 101 of the Miller Learning Center. Registration begins at 8:45. The orientation lasts until 12:30. This year’s program is available here. Below are orientation handouts on basic teaching practice and support included in packets. Academic Honesty Best Teaching Practices Diversity In Teaching Strategies for the First Weeks of Class Graduate School Teaching Development Initiatives Lecture Strategies That Work Helping Students Learn Syllabus Creation Testing Strategies Large Class Management
	Teaching Assistants Supervisor Departments that manage graduate assistantships effectively save time and effort for everyone. Mentoring graduate students in relationship to their teaching responsibilities should be part of the departmental culture. See Managing and Mentoring Graduate Teaching Assistants at the University of Georgia GRSC/ELAN Graduate students who have no prior successful teaching experience at the college level must enroll in GRSC 7770 or participate in equivalent departmental training before being assigned teaching responsibilities. International students who have not achieved a 26 on TOEFL/TAST should enroll in ELAN 7768 or ELAN 7769. The Center for Teaching & Learning coordinates GRSC 7770. Departments should conduct sections of GRSC 7770 to meet discipline specific needs. GRSC assistantships are available for award-winning TAs to help develop departmental sections. Click here for information about assistantships. Click here for an assistantship application. Sample syllabi may be obtained by contacting Dr. Paul Quick. Internet-based TOEFL International students whose native language is not English are required to take and score at least 26 on the speaking section, TAST, of the internet-based TOEFL before being considered for a teaching assignment. Language consultation and recommendations for language development are available from the Department of Language and Literacy Education. For further information about TOEFL administration contact Educational Testing Services at: www.ets.org/toefl
	Handbook
	The TA Handbook (pdf version) is provided for all graduate students with instructional responsibilities. It gives general information about teaching in the undergraduate classroom at The University of Georgia and a list of teaching resources. The handbook is available from the Center for Teaching and Learning. Click here for the online handbook.
	Newsletter
	Spring 2009 Newsletter Fall 2008 Newsletter Spring 2008 Newsletter Fall 2007 Newsletter Spring 2007 Newsletter Fall 2006 Newsletter Spring 2006 Newsletter Fall 2005 Newsletter
	Programs
	The Center for Teaching and Learning supports graduate teaching assistants throughout their careers at UGA. Programs supported by the CTL include: TA Orientation GRSC/ELAN Future Faculty Program Teaching Portfolio Program Interdisciplinary Certificate in University Teaching Teaching Workshops Teaching Consultation Classroom Videotaping
	Awards
	The University recognizes the significant contribution graduate students make to the instructional mission of the University with two separate awards: The Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, sponsored by the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost; and the Excellence in Teaching Award, sponsored by the Graduate School. Nominees for either awards must have fulfilled TA Policy, have taught at least once within the last two terms (August, 2007), and be enrolled fulltime in the semester of application. Further details for eligibility are included on respective award applications. The Outstanding Teaching Award: Departments may nominate up to 10% of their eligible TAs or LAs. Applications for the 2009-2010 school year will be available here in November. The Excellence in Teaching Award: Departments may nominate one eligible TA or LA who has received or is being concurrently nominated for the OTA. Only candidates who have demonstrated superior teaching skills AND who have contributed to teaching beyond their own classroom responsibilities should be nominated. Applications for the 2009-2010 school year will be available here in November. The deadline for the Spring 2010 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award and the Excellence in Teaching Award will be mid-January 2010. Click here to access the online application for the Excellence in Teaching Award. Click here to see the TA Award winners for 2008. Click here to see the TA Award winners for 2007.
	Teaching Assistant Resources
	Teaching Resources Teaching resources on most any aspect of teaching can be found on the CTL Teaching Resources webpage or in the teaching files of the office. Link to TA Resources.

	Text-Only Version The University of Georgia \| VP Instruction \| CAIT \| WebCT \| Contact CTL Website questions or problems, contact webmaster at emailctl@uga.edu This page last updated on January 21, 2009.