Working with Co-TAs

Some lower division discussion sections have two co-TAs in the classroom at the same time instead of a single TA. Here, we recommend the following steps for balancing and sharing the workload.

Guidelines for Working with Co-TAs

Since most teams or groups run most smoothly when there is one leader, it is recommended to have one individual as the main facilitator and the other as instructional support during each discussion section.
Alternate the lesson plan creation with who assists in discussion. For example:
- Week 1: TA 1 creates the lesson plan, and facilitates discussion. TA 2 assists in facilitating the discussion section.
- Week 2: TA 2 creates the lesson plan, and facilitates discussion. TA 1 assists in facilitating the discussion section.
- Week 3: And so on.

Each co-TA should work as part of a team. This includes being flexible about workload distribution, and being professional and respectful in and out of the classroom. Some examples:
- TA 1 has a 15 minute walk from their previous discussion section, so TA 2 starts the first five minutes of the discussion section.
- Be respectful when addressing the other TA or their work in the classroom, and avoid undercutting their authority or ability.
- Communicate clearly about grading expectations: who is grading which problems, and who is responding to regrade requests.
Co-TAs should make a strong effort to distribute the workload equitably throughout the quarter. If a co-TA does not feel that the workload is being distributed equitably, they should reach out to their instructor or the Senior TAs.
Co-TAs should abide by the Absence and Time Off policy in the same manner as a solo TA.

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