TA Consultant Application Process


	TA Consultant Application Process CTD Home > About CTD > TA Consultant Application Process Description Each quarter, the Center for Teaching Development appoints graduate students from a variety of departments on campus as consultants to new teaching assistants (TAs). Duties include observing and/or videotaping sections, distributing and analyzing questionnaires, preparing summary reports, and providing constructive feedback and mentoring to the new TAs on how to improve their teaching. TA consultants may also assist the Director of the Center in the development, implementation, and evaluation of training seminars and workshops for TAs and other instructors on campus. Consultants are paid as Associates (in lieu of TA) and are generally appointed on a per client basis (3.5 hours/client). Occasionally the Center appoints a qualified graduate student with expertise in TA consultation, instructional technology, and/or departmental senior TA experience as a 25% Associate or 50% Associate (in lieu of TA). View the 2006-2007 Guidelines for Teaching Assistant Consultants. (You must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed). Qualifications Applicants should have strong communication skills and demonstrated interest in teaching. Experience as a UCSD TA or participation in CTD's preparing Professional Faculty series is preferred. Application Procedure Submit a curriculum vitae and a letter of intent stating how you would be of most assistance to new TAs. Include a letter of recommendation from a supervisor familiar with your teaching ability and send to the Center for Teaching Development, 307 Center Hall, Mail Code 0030. For more information, contact the Program Representative, at 858-822-1992. Application Deadline Apply anytime. The need for consultants varies each quarter according to the number of new TAs appointed by departments. Job Description ASSOCIATE-IN-LIEU-OF-TA, TEACHING ASSISTANT CONSULTANT Under general supervision provide individual and group training in areas of leading discussion sections, running science labs, teaching problem-solving skills, critiquing student work and developing lecture skills to new teaching assistants in all academic departments participating in CTD's Teaching Assistant Development Program. Initial Contact Establish individual contact with each assigned TA client before his/her scheduled observation and arrange for classroom observation. Determine the number of students who regularly attend section and prepare a file for each TA including appropriate discipline-based questionnaires. Observation Schedule a visit to each TA's section (classroom or laboratory) observing and noting evidence of adequate preparation, teacher/student behavior, and content coverage. At the conclusion of the session, discuss with students the importance of the questionnaires, explain how to respond to the questions, then distribute and collect all CTD questionnaires. Questionnaire Analysis Following the observation, tally and note student responses to CTD questionnaires. Using CTD's database system, prepare a summary of student and observer comments to be used in a feedback conference. Analyze student comments and use resulting information to prepare for the feedback conference. Consultation Arrange individual meetings with TA clients in a timely fashion after the observation and provide constructive feedback based on your observation of the TA's classroom performance as well as analysis and interpretation of student feedback. Implementation Analyze TA's teaching style and specific classroom situation and note strengths as well as undeveloped areas and adapt known or create new strategies to help the TAs develop their full potential in the teaching environment. Suggest that TAs utilize strategies that encourage active learning and stimulate complex thinking in their classrooms. Offer feedback on discipline-specific matters, including course material and curriculum development in areas with which you are familiar. Consult with the director and with senior TAs in the departments to facilitate appropriate feedback for discipline-specific issues outside the consultant's area of knowledge. Consult with the director about referral of TAs to departmental senior TAs when appropriate. Back to Top Center for Teaching Development 9500 Gilman Drive La Jolla, CA 92093-0030 Phone: (858) 534-6767 Fax: (858) 822-0318