Faculty-TA Interaction
  • You should get clear guidance from the faculty on the following key issues:
    • Your responsibilities over the course of the semester (holding discussion session, labs, protecting exams, grading, curving, office hours, emails, course development, writing solutions, review sessions before the exams, project mentoring)
    • Whether or not you are required to attend lectures.
    • Administrative information (exam dates, etc.).
    • Regular meetings.
  • Take initiative and offer help in teaching (say, when the faculty is going to be away) or course development.
  • Be candid about your strength and weakness. The faculty is not just your supervisor, he's also a teacher (and you are a student). He will be happy to help you learn the material.
  • Give the faculty periodic feedback on how students are going in the class. Make suggestion about course contents.
  • In case of a conflict with the faculty, talk to Diane, division chair or the department chair.
  • DO NOT speak on behalf of the faculty, unless he asks you to do so explicitly.
  • "Don't burn yourself". If you are being asked to routinely spend more than time you are contracted for, talk to the faculty. Keep log of your TA duties to show exactly where you're spending time. Bring this to the attention of the faculty as early as possible. It is easier to get additional help early on in the semester.
  • Inform the faculty of any expected absence of pre-occupation that can interfere with your TA duties as early as possible.
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