Graduate Teaching Assistants
The following are general responsibilities and expectations for GAs who are teaching in the classroom:
1. Professionalism
a. Speak and present material in a professional manner
b. Dress in a professional manner (i.e., dress clothes)
c. Deport yourself in a professional manner (timeliness, interactions with students and faculty, attention to detail, etc.)
2. Preparation
a. Develop an appropriate syllabus for your class or lab portion
b. Develop an appropriate calendar for your your class or lab portion
c. Prepare daily lesson plans for your teaching as appropriate and/or necessary
d. Practice your teaching as appropriate and/or necessary
3. Organization
a. Take attendance at every class meeting
b. Keep accurate records of student attendance and progress
c. Keep students apprised of their progress in the class or your portion of the class
d. Periodically share feedback and observations/insights with faculty supervisor(s)
4. Content (for instrumental instruction)
a. Performance – provide experiences during which the students efficiently and effectively develop at least rudimental skill performing on the instrument (proper posture and carriage, basic characteristic tone, etc.)
b. Pedagogy – provide experiences during which the students can learn and practice approaches to teaching the instrument
c. Knowledge Base – provide experiences during which the students can develop their knowledge of the instrument, its history, its design, its prominent makers, its prominent performers, places that sell the instrument, etc.
5. Follow-through
a. Provide assistance and remedial work for those students who have problems
b. Alert faculty of major concerns regarding student progress, attitudes, etc.
c. Assign grades for your instrument pedagogy class or portion, based on records and course requirements outlined in your syllabus
6. Communication
Communication with students and your faculty supervisor(s) is critical to the success of everyone involved.