Orientation for new teaching assistants at UF – tips for success

Here’s the view from the back of Carlton Auditorium during a panel presentation about how to deal with challenging student situations.

by Julie Dodd

I enjoy helping new teaching assistants be prepared for a good start of their teaching at UF. Photo by Michael Hanna

There’s lots to consider when you’re a new teaching assistant.

That was the take-away for the more than 350 teaching assistants who attended the day-long orientation for new teaching assistants at the University of Florida.

That was a take-away for me, too, as a presenter — as I planned what to share with the new TAs in my talk and also as I listened to the questions the TAs asked during my session and the other orientation sessions I attended.

I talked about developing a checklist of what needs to be accomplished before school starts next week, from meeting with their teaching supervisor to reviewing their online persona/avatar to the classroom where they will be teaching and try out the technology.

I also explained what I’ve coined as the COPE Strategies that can help teachers develop a more student-oriented approach to their teaching.

Orientation for University of Florida Graduate Teaching Assistants, Aug. 15, 2017

by Julie Dodd

I’m looking forward to being part of the team who will be conducting the Orientation for Graduate Teaching Assistants at the University of Florida.

More than 400 new teaching assistants participate in the orientation each August, and I enjoy helping the TAs begin their teaching careers.

Some have had previous teaching experience, teaching in higher ed or K-12. Some have been guest speakers in a class. But for the majority of those attending the orientation, this is their first teaching experience.

My title of my presentation is “Your Syllabus and the First Week of Class.” I’ve just emailed my slides and handout to those assembling all the materials. The orientation will be on Aug. 15.