The Teaching Center

• For all first-time Teaching Assistants and Instructional Aides*
• Held each August, typically on the Wednesday before classes begin

Intended to supplement departmental programs, the University-wide TA Orientation provides new teaching assistants (TAs) and Instructional Aides (IAs) with essential information about teaching at Washington University. A detailed agenda is mailed to TAs and IAs in early August. The Dean of the Graduate School expects all first-time TAs and IAs to attend.

The Orientation has several goals:

• to educate TAs and IAs about University policies and resources that will be relevant to their teaching, including Teaching Center resources and policies on academic integrity, student health, and discriminatory harassment;
• to begin to introduce TAs and IAs to effective teaching methods and tools; and
• to provide an opportunity for first-time TAs and IAs to participate in discipline-specific discussions with experienced Teaching Assistants.

*First-time TAs and IAs are teaching for the first time during the academic year that begins immediately after Orientation. “Teaching” includes any instructional responsibility performed by graduate-student TAs and IAs—whether leading discussion sections, recitations, help sessions, and laboratories; directing courses; holding office hours; or serving as exam proctors and graders.

For questions about the University-wide TA Orientation, contact Beth Fisher, Director of Academic Services at The Teaching Center, either by email, or by phone at 935-5921.