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Description
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Lead TAs are experienced TAs
at the University of Washington who have been selected in
their home departments to assist newly-appointed or less
experienced TAs in preparing for instructional
responsibilities. They have outstanding records as TAs and
peer leaders in their departments, strong interest in the
teaching aspects of scholarly work, and a desire to continue
their teaching careers upon receiving their graduate
degrees. Departments frequently provide release time or
financial compensation for Lead TAs to serve a variety of
functions within their departments, from developing TA
orientations to observing new TAs in their teaching and
providing feedback.
The roles and
responsibilities of Lead TAs at the University of Washington
vary across departments. Following are some of the roles
they typically fulfill:
- Lead TAs often act as
liaison between other TAs and professors, departments,
and/or campus agencies to ensure that TAs are informed
and represented at various levels.
- Lead TAs are often
instrumental in planning, implementing, and evaluating
departmental orientation programs, and/or assisting in
departmental teaching seminars
- Lead TAs serve as
advisers or mentors to assist individual TAs with
teaching concerns, interpretation of student ratings, or
feedback about their teaching through the use of
classroom observations or videotaping.
- Lead TAs often gather
materials from various campus resources or develop
materials for use in orientation or ongoing training. In
some instances, Lead TAs are responsible for setting up
demonstrations, scheduling laboratories, and tracking the
use of laboratory equipment.
In addition to the
supervision and training they may receive in their own
departments, UW Lead TAs are invited to take part in the
Lead TA Training Program at the Center for Instructional
Development and Research (CIDR). Lead TAs also have access
to consultants at CIDR who can assist them in addressing
ongoing instructional issues or topics.
http://depts.washington.edu/cidrweb/LeadTAProgram.html
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