Developmental Stages of TAs

Understand the how to mentor yout TA as they go through these stages your TA and grow as teachers.

1. Senior Learner

•     Has basic "survival" skills
•     Uses good presentation skills
•     Maintains authority in the classroom
•     Organizes material in a logical manner
•     Gives a clear agenda for the section

•     Lead practice teaching session
•     Arrange shadowing opportunities for TA
•     Meet regularly to answer questions and provide support
•     Bring new TAs together to discuss challenges
•     Suggest teaching tips and strategies

2. Colleague-in-Training

•     Starts to think about best teaching practices
•     Encourages and validates student contributions
•     Makes connections between topics
•     Motivates student interest in material
•     Uses multiple ways to illustrate a concept

3. Junior Colleague

•     Gets student feedback to see if they're understanding the course material
•     Incorporates student feedback and responses into lessons
•     May develop course materials

•     Let mentee decide how often they need to meet (may be less often)
•     Observe or record TA's section and give feedback
•     Have TA observe mentor's teaching and discuss
•     Bring advanced TAs together to discuss pedagogy
•     Connect TA to additional teaching resources and chances to grow