Teaching Assistant and Graduate Student Development Programs
Cornell offers a central place where teaching assistants can go for insight and assistance with their teaching responsibilities to supplement what their departments and professors provide. There is no service charge for teaching support services and programs to either the individual or the colleges. Teaching Assistant Development programs provide confidential individualized assistance, seminars, group forums, classroom observation, microteaching, courses and workshops on teaching issues and skills. Programs are tailored to meet the needs of undergraduate and graduate Teaching assistants, graduate students and post-doctoral students. The TA program also provides an electronic copy of the Handbook for Teaching Assistants at Cornell which contains important information on policies, procedures, resources and programs relevant to and in support of Teaching Assistants at Cornell.
The TA Development program also provides support to faculty, colleges and departments to support the lifelong learning of graduate students. Program and services might include consultations, assessment, and collaborative programming meant to foster graduate student development and teaching in specific courses, disciplines and fields. Faculty and administrators who are coordinating programs for TAs and graduate student development should contact Dr. Richard Kiely for information regarding TA support.
Throughout the academic year, teaching assistant and graduate student development staff work behind the scenes in conjunction with many departmental and college students, faculty and administrators to develop and implement programs of interest to TAs and graduate students.
The TA Development staff offer a variety of programs for beginning and experienced TAs, graduate students and postdoctoral associates. TAs may request a videotape of themselves teaching in the classroom; a private consultation follows during which the consultant and the TA review the tape together. Each semester the TA development staff with an experience group of TAs presents a series of workshops on a wide range of teaching topics (please see workshop schedule below). In addition, the TA Development staff sponsor a brownbag lunch series on excellence in teaching, credit and non-credit courses, seminars and workshops on teaching including course development, syllabus design, cross-cultural learning, effective facilitation, blended online learning, and other important areas that promote teaching excellence. We encourage students to visit our resource library on the web and on the 4th floor CCC.
Leadership opportunities at the graduate level are also available. The TA development program staff invites graduate students who are considering careers in academic to explore the many course work, independent study, facilitation and co-facilitation opportunities provided through the TA Development program. Training for workshop facilitation occurs throughout the year. Letters of recommendation, teaching portfolios and certificates of recognition benefit graduate students who work with TA development staff members.