Throughout the semester, we’ll be adding advice handed down from some wonderful teaching assistant’s from time’s past. First up, recent grad and poet Anne Denning:
Communicate with your fellow TA’s and your instructor! I found sometimes I’d have a question, and sometimes I’d try to figure it out on my own out of a spirit of independence and also in order to avoid bothering anyone, but I inevitably needed to communicate with my fellow TA’s and instructor. I think there will always be questions (even if you read the syllabus 50 times and listen during TA meetings) and it’s very useful to keep the lines of dialogue open. Chances are your fellow TA’s have the same questions you have, at the same time.
Also, the more you talk and share with your fellow TA’s, the richer your experience will be! I learned so much from my Instructor and fellow TA’s in our casual emails and conversations about teaching, marking and ideas for writing exercises and how to make class more engaging. I’m currently teaching at a community centre and I’ve often found myself thinking back to people I TA’ed with as inspirations when I’m heading into class.
I’m sure this bit of advice gets beaten to death but nonetheless: leave as much time as possible for marking assignments! The times when I managed to start leave myself more time for marking I enjoyed the process so much more. Switch up locations and have marking get-togethers with fellow TA’s in coffeeshops/mix it up when you have lots to mark and don’t feel like starting on your marking (or finishing it, for that matter).
Don’t go crazy writing lengthy heartfelt novels of advice in your marking! You’ll have more than one chance to give a student feedback within the space of a course so keep an eye on your hours and make sure you’re not going over them while writing feedback. I never got down to 3-4 sentences, but I found a happier medium wherein I felt like I was offering the suggestions the pieces needed but not driving myself crazy.
Enjoy the interactions with students during office hours! I found that students often are feeling pretty vulnerable or don’t know what to expect when they come to office hours, so I really tried to be warm and encouraging in response to any questions. Once they relaxed a bit I found students often have lots to say and are really excited to get to have a TA’s undivided attention. Enjoy the gift that the students are and what you can learn from their questions, comments and work.