Expectations for Teaching Assistants

At USask, a Teaching Assistant (TA) refers to graduate student teaching assistants, tutorial leaders and lab assistants. As a TA you -are an asset to a department and can benefit greatly from the teaching experience. You are expected to be up-to-date and knowledgeable in your discipline, and to be an -good role model for undergraduate students. You will likely have many questions about being a TA, many of which should be asked prior to starting in your role.

For in-depth details about your responsibilities and opportunities as a TA, please download and read the USask TA Handbook. 

USask TA Handbook

You Represent USask

As a representative of the USask, you are expected to maintain the standards of- USask. This includes following all guidelines and rules established by the university. If you disagree with the policies of USask or the professor you assist, must discuss these privately with the professor or an appropriate university administrator rather than doing so in front of students.

You Represent Your Department

As a TA you will work as a member of a department at USask and are obligated to follow the policies and regulations within the department and meet its standards and expectations. Make sure you understand all departmental requirements before the start of your duties.

You serve as an Intermediary

As a TA you are expected to help reinforce to students the learning outcomes established by the professor you support, and you can also provide feedback to the professor about how students are responding to the learning experience.

Professionalism

It is important that you maintain an appropriate relationship with students and act as a mentor to students. You must be fair and honest and do nothing to exploit your position of power over students. All students must be treated with equal respect. As well, you can act as an important role model for students in using language that respects and includes individuals of different genders, races, cultures, physical capacities, and sexual orientations.

The TA-Professor Relationship

Generally, you will be working under the direction of a professor in your department who will determine the content and methods used for your teaching assignments. Make sure you understand the professor’s expectations. Once you accept your TA position, you share in responsibility for the class, tutorial, seminar or lab.

Always approach the professor first to resolve an issue. In situation where you cannot come to an understanding and you must go to a department or unit head, inform the professor of your intentions before going to someone else.

The Gwenna Moss Centre for Teaching and Learning (GMCTL) offers graduate student teachers support in the following areas: 

• TA Success: workshops, activities, and resources focused on developing specific skills and knowledge relevant to roles as a Teaching Assistant (TA).
• feedback on teaching for graduate student teachers who want to enhance their teaching, and
• non-credit courses offered by the GMCTL and the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Grad courses on teaching