U N I V E R S I T Y  O F  P I T T S B U R G H

Spotlight: TA Services Offers Comprehensive Support to Teaching Assistants

The New Teaching Assistant Orientation (NTAO) is the first of many experiences the Center for Instructional Development & Distance Education’s TA Services provides. In addition to preparing incoming teaching assistants for classroom issues such as academic integrity, testing, grading, and using technology, TA Services offers a wide range of instructional support.

TA Services will organize hour-long workshops and facilitate discussions about specific teaching concerns of graduate students in your department. Each year we offer seminars on developing your teaching portfolio, an essential tool for obtaining a permanent teaching position. We also provide classroom videotaping at no charge and confidential follow-up consultation to enhance your performance as a course instructor. After videotaping a class, you can meet with an experienced teaching fellow from TA Services to view, analyze, and discuss your teaching methodology.

Online and print publications provide you with a variety of resources. The Teaching Assistant Experience is a comprehensive guide to course instruction and classroom management. Distributed at NTAO and available online at www.pitt.edu/~ciddeweb, this guide to teaching in a university setting provides advice on many of the challenges you will face in the classroom. It also includes practical suggestions for the first day of class and information regarding University policies. Our monthly online newsletter, TATALK, focuses on specific teaching-related issues and provides calendars for upcoming workshops and events.

Remember, TA Services is here to help make your teaching at the University of Pittsburgh a fulfilling experience for you, your students, and ultimately, the entire University community. To contact us, stop by our office at 618 Alumni Hall, e-mail us at TAHELP@cidde.pitt.edu or phone us at 412-624-6671.

Welcome to New TA Services Consultants Kathleen Gray and Colleen Reilly
	Kathleen Gray is pursuing a PhD in Sociology. Her teaching experience includes running HIV/AIDS awareness workshops in West Africa; facilitating antiracism and leadership development workshops for community organizations; and teaching sociology, statistics, and women’s studies courses at local universities. Kathleen looks forward to talking with you about handling sensitive material in the classroom and using interactive games and simulations to improve course design.
	Colleen Reilly is a PhD student in Theatre Arts. She holds an MLIS in Archival Studies from the University of Pittsburgh. Her teaching experience includes history, literature, and performance courses for majors and non-traditional students. Colleen looks forward to talking with you about library resources, innovative lesson plans, and elements of performance in your classroom.
		Photos by Jim Burke, CIDDE

A newsletter devoted to the support of teaching and learning at the University of Pittsburgh

Center for Instructional Development & Distance Education
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