Responsibilities of TAs (examples)

Job Description: Teaching Assistant / Associate for Quiz Sections of Economics Courses

(Department of Economics, University of Washington)

Minimum qualifications/requirements

1. Meeting the Graduate School’s English proficiency requirements for TAs
2. Enrollment in or completion of Econ 602
3. Average prior student evaluations scores of 3.0 or higher (for reappointment)
4. Satisfactory academic progress

General responsibilities

1. Attend lectures as required by supervisor
2. Conduct/facilitate quiz sections as scheduled for the course
3. Act as liaison/mediator between students and professor
4. Hold regular office hours; submit office hours to the Main Office
5. Prepare, maintain, and update webpage, electronic discussion boards, etc., as appropriate to the course
6. Manage and respond to course-related email
7. If you must cancel a section contact the Advising Office to post a notice in your classroom and notify your supervisor
8. Respond to and return student work in a timely manner
9. Monitor and resolve administrative, grading, or other issues related to course
10. Consult with faculty supervisor, undergraduate advisers, and/or graduate program adviser regarding course issues, as appropriate

Preparation responsibilities

1. Prepare lectures for sessions, overheads, handouts, or other materials for quiz sections
2. Attend instructor/TA meetings as appropriate
3. Place course materials on library reserve

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What makes a great TA?

1. Preparation. Whether you’re leading a discussion section, a review section, or a lab section, plan your materials in advance. Ask former TAs and the professor for materials developed for previous classes, and collaborate with fellow course TAs to update and expand those materials.
2. Knowledgeability. In addition to whatever advanced background training you have in your field, be sure to stay up to date with the content of the course you are TAing for. Nothing is as disappointing to students as finding out that their TA hasn’t read the textbook or doesn’t attend lecture.
3. Communication skills. In particular, you need to be able to explain complicated things clearly, develop interesting examples, and listen carefully as students ask questions or try to explain their confusion. In addition, basic public speaking skills can contribute enormously to your comfort and success as a TA. (Visit the Hume Center for Writing and Speaking to improve communication skills.)
4. Accessibility and availability. You need to be approachable. Achieve this by maintaining a friendly attitude, staying after class to talk with students, and encouraging students to visit your office hours or email you their questions. Then, make sure your office hours are at times your students can actually attend.
5. Concern for students’ learning. Students can tell the difference between a TA who considers TAing a waste of his or her time and a TA who enjoys teaching and interacting with students. Focus on the positive aspects of the course and your interactions with students.
6. A good relationship with the professor. A great TA provides the bridge between a professor’s goals and his or her day-to-day achievement. To do so, maintain regular, positive interactions with the professor and provide feedback about how the course is going, from the students’ perspectives as well as your own.
7. A good relationship with your fellow course TAs. A strong teaching team is a boon to student learning and course management. Communicate with fellow TAs on a regular basis: review and confirm responsibilities, share insights from interacting with students, and resolve any issues (scheduling, grading, student concerns) without getting personal. Remember, your behavior is a model for students and reflects on the course as a whole.
8. Organization. Anticipate ways that you can make the course run more smoothly for both the professor and the students. Look for ways to streamline, document, or improve course activities and teaching responsibilities.