Responsibilities

First-time LAs take a course at the School of Education: SED SC521. In this course, LAs learn about teaching practices and methods, and they reflect on their own teaching and learning experiences. The course focuses on both teaching in general, and on teaching in students’ chosen disciplines, and includes topics such as metacognition, mental models and misconceptions, and inclusive teaching.

LAs meet weekly with faculty and teaching fellows to discuss upcoming lessons and plans for lecture and various activities. LAs can use these meetings to find ways to incorporate what they’ve learned in SC521, and apply their own experiences as students in the course to help instructors plan to address specific points or misconceptions.

LAs are expected to prepare for the courses they’re teaching, by reading over materials in advance, knowing the structure of the upcoming lectures, discussions, or labs, and looking over any relevant assignments or activities for that class. LAs may have the opportunity to teach one lesson each semester, agreed upon in advance with the instructor (professor or teaching fellow), which requires additional preparation, such as editing materials (e.g. Powerpoint slides) and practicing giving the lesson.

During class, LAs help with classroom management, assist the instructor when necessary (eg. giving demonstrations or clarifying concepts), and check in with students to answer any questions, keep them on task, or help motivate them and excite them with regards to the material.

Finally, LAs are expected to make themselves available for any questions by email. Depending on the course, LAs may hold review sessions or office hours as well.

LA and student working in the classroom together