Schedule
As part of the TA Success Series, we offer TA Success Days.
This three-day event organized by the Gwenna Moss Centre for Teaching and Learning, is a selection of short sessions focused on developing specific skills and knowledge aimed at those in a Teaching Assistant (TA) role. Topics include marking effectively, lesson planning, navigating challenging conversations, and tips for facilitating labs, tutorials, and seminars. Attendance will be recognized on your co-curricular record when you attend three or more sessions.
Click a title in the calendar to jump to the date sections for descriptions and registration.
| Time | Location | Session Title |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30 am - 9:00 am | Library G3 | Orientation to TA Success Days |
| 9:10 am - 10:00 am* | GMC 50.12 | Facilitating Practical Labs for First Time TAs |
| 9:10 am - 10:00 am* | Library G3 | Grading Essays & Projects Effectively for First Time TAs |
| 10:15 am - 11:00 am | Library G3 | Clarifying Academic Integrity Expectations for Your Students |
| 11:15 am - 12:15 pm | Library 161 | Navigating Canvas for TAs |
| 1:00 pm - 1:50 pm | Library G3 | Library Services and Supports for You and Your Students |
| 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Library G3 | Intro to Lesson Planning |
| 3:15 pm - 4:00 pm | Library G3 | USask TA Handbook |
*Concurrent sessions. See descriptions below.
| Time | Location | Session Title |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 am - 10:00 am | Library G3 | First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Ways of Knowing, Being, and Doing |
| 10:15 am - 11:00 am | Library G3 | Grading Problem Sets, Labs, and Exams More Effectively |
| 11:15 am - 12:15 pm | Library G3 | Centring Students: Building Engagement and Trust |
| 1:15 pm - 2:15 pm | Library G3 | Facilitation Tips for Tutorials and Seminars |
| 2:30 pm - 3:45 pm | Library G3 | Professional Relationships as a TA |
| Time | Location | Session Title |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 am - 9:30 am | Library G3 | What You Should Know About Copyright |
| 9:45 am - 10:45 am | Library G3 | Challenging Conversations |
| 11:00 am - 11:30 am | Library G3 | What You Need to Know About Your Collective Agreement |
Below in the accordions, you will find session descriptions and a green registration button. Click once to submit your registration and a confirmation will be sent to your USask email address.
Did you know you can see a list of sessions you are registered for? NSID login is required.
Tuesday, Sept 09
Time: 8:30 am - 9:00 am
Location: Murray Building, Library Room G3
Facilitator: Roberta Campbell-Chudoba
Welcome to TA Success Days! This introduction provides you the opportunity to meet other Teaching Assistants and to learn about the Teaching Preparation Certificate (TPC).
Time: 9:10 am - 10:00 am
Location: Murray Building, GMCTL Classroom 50.12
Facilitator: Amalya Babayan
Learn practical ideas for facilitating practical laboratory sessions and encouraging student engagement.
*Concurrent Sessions -- Please note this session occurs at the same time as the one below. Please only choose 1 to attend.
- Facilitating Practical Labs for First Time TAs
- Grading Essays & Projects Effectively for First Time TAs
Time: 9:10 am - 10:00 am
Location: Murray Building, Library Room G3
Facilitator: Anne-Marie Rollo
In this session on grading written papers and projects, you’ll learn tips for giving good feedback, being more consistent in grading, and managing your time. Come expecting to practice grading and share your ideas.
*Concurrent Sessions -- Please note this session occurs at the same time as the one above. Please only choose 1 to attend.
- Facilitating Practical Labs for First Time TAs
- Grading Essays & Projects Effectively for First Time TAs
Time: 10:15 am - 11:00 am
Location: Murray Building, Library Room G3
Facilitator: Susan Bens
Students encounter many different kinds of rules for completing assessments and it can get confusing for them. Join this session to think through how to clarify your role for Academic Integrity and how to clarify expectations for students.
Time: 1:00 pm - 1:50 pm
Location: Murray Building, Library Room G3
Facilitator: Angie Gerrard
*Time Saving Essentials! Don’t start from scratch! Save your time by learning about the academic skills resources provided by the University Library. Explore useful writing and research guides, videos, workshops, and the services provided by your liaison librarian.
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Location: Murray Building, Library Room G3
Facilitator: Anne-Marie Rollo
Are you planning your own lab, tutorial, seminar or guest lecture? Join this session to become familiar with the BOPPPS lesson planning model so you can apply it to your own lessons.
Time: 3:15 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: Murray Building, Library Room G3
Facilitator: Jade Hupé
Our TA Handbook is filled with practical advice on being a TA. In this session we'll discuss your concerns and how the handbook can support you.
Wednesday, Sept 10
Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Location: Murray Building, Library Room G3
Facilitator: Darryl Isbister
Come and learn some things you may not know about First Nation, Metis and Inuit ways of knowing, being, and doing. This session will answer some common questions and also give you an opportunity to ask questions you have not been sure how to ask.
Time: 10:15 am - 11:00 am
Location: Murray Building, Library Room G3
Facilitator: Ata Sojoudi
In this session, you'll explore and share strategies for grading to improve consistency and efficiency and you'll leave with concrete plans for what to do before you start grading, while you're grading, and after you wrap up.
Time: 11:15 am - 12:15 pm
Location: Murray Building, Library Room G3
Facilitator: Kavya Chandra
We'll explore practical strategies for building trust, encouraging engagement, and creating a welcoming learning environment that supports student success and well-being.
Time: 1:15 pm - 2:15 pm
Location: Murray Building, Library Room G3
Facilitator: Aditi Garg
So you're asked to TA a tutorial or seminar. Should you 1) sit at the front of the room while students sit with their friends and don't do anything? or 2) structure the time just enough so that students feel supported and prepared for class?
Come to practice simple strategies for running tutorials and seminars. Leave with facilitation skills.
Time: 2:30 pm - 3:45 pm
Location: Murray Building, Library Room G3
Facilitator: Ian Moy
Learn about your roles, responsibilities, and rights related to interactions with students, supervisors, professors, and each other through this interactive 75-minute session.
Thursday, Sept 11
Time: 9:00 am - 9:30 am
Location: Murray Building, Library Room G3
Facilitator: Kate Langrell
In a university setting, copyright is everywhere: in the course materials that are shared, student assignments that are graded, library resources, and more.
Join the University Copyright Coordinator who will review key copyright concepts and resources to help you succeed as a TA, including the university's Copyright Decision Roadmap tool, copyright considerations for using AI tools, how to contact a copyright owner if needed, and tips for finding copyright-friendly resources you can easily use and share.
Time: 9:45 am - 10:45 am
Location: Murray Building, Library Room G3
Facilitator: Heather M. Ross
In this session you'll be introduced to concepts to help you in dealing with challenging conversations you may face with students and supervisors. We'll delve into engaging professionally and respectfully with students, supervisors, and peers.
Time: 11:00 am - 11:30 am
Location: Murray Building, Library Room G3
Facilitator: Jesse Todd
Come and learn about the current collective agreement, collective bargaining process, and the policies and procedures that apply and impact PSAC employees. This session will be facilitated by Jesse Todd, Regional Representative for PSAC.
Event support
Gwenna Moss Centre for Teaching and Learning (GMCTL)
Please email if you require information or support for this event: gmctl@usask.ca
The GMCTL can support departments with tailored sessions related to teaching and learning practices for their TAs. If you are interested, email our team.