Graduate Teaching Assistantships

Application Deadline: May 21, 2019

Position Description:

Biology 2244A Introduction to Statistics (10 hours per week. Total 70 h, two positions available: Summer Evening, second half. TAs may be responsible for the following: leading several computer lab sections (~50 students), marking/providing feedback on written assignments, attending regular course meetings, answering student questions about graded assignments, and/or proctoring exams. Theoretical and applied understanding of statistical concepts (e.g. sampling & study design, probability, summary statistics, sampling distributions, confidence intervals, t-tests, correlation & regression, and ANOVA), clarity in spoken English, and excellent interpersonal/teamwork skills are essential.

Biology 2290F Scientific Methods in Biology (10 hours per week, total 20) Responsibilities include teaching, providing feedback to students, and marking assignments. Knowledge of bacterial genetics, especially transformation and genetic techniques is essential. Applicants require demonstrable skills in writing, and should have teaching experience.

These positions are subject to course and section enrollment. Application deadline: 4:00 pm Tuesday, May 21, 2019. Send the following information INLINE (NO ATTACHMENTS)via Tricia Gray (tgray5@uwo.ca) via UWO mail server only. Full name, local phone contact, current program and status, name of supervisor with contact number and email, name of grad chair (if applicable) with contact number and email, brief description of subject background and teaching experience (or equivalent) PLUS the course number(s) to which you would like to apply. Applications that do not meet the above requirements or do not have the consent of supervisor will not be considered.

The Lead TA program is a new initiative on campus to facilitate the professional development of teaching assistants at a discipline-specific level. Sponsored by the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS), in collaboration with several Faculties on campus, it provides outstanding graduate students with an opportunity to apply their interest, teaching experience, and training beyond traditional TA duties.

During this pilot year, the program will position Lead TAs in 8 departments across campus where they will develop discipline focused TA training activities. By facilitating workshops, developing resources, and offering peer feedback through classroom observations, Lead TAs will serve as mentors, coaches, and liaisons for TAs in their home department.

This initiative to improve the teaching effectiveness of TAs at a departmental level complements the general, interdisciplinary TA training offered by the Teaching Support Centre (TSC).  In order to support the Lead TAs in their own professional development during the year, the TSC will provide ongoing training and resources to the group on facilitation, peer mentoring and teaching excellence.

The Lead TA pilot program is a result of collaboration between the SGPS, the Faculties, the GTA Union and the TSC.  If you would like to learn more about the program, please contact Mihaela Harmos.

The Teaching Assistant Training Program is a hands-on, two-and-a-half- day session taught by current Teaching Assistants (TAs) and designed for new TAs embarking on their teaching careers. Learn about fair grading practices, diversity in the classroom, lecturing, and giving students feedback on written work. Choose from concurrent sessions designed to meet your specific discipline-related teaching needs. Get real-time, hands-on teaching experience in our unique micro-teaching sessions, where you can try out your teaching skills and techniques with a small group of your peers and receive helpful, constructive feedback. At the end of the session, you’ll receive a certificate as evidence of your commitment to the development of your knowledge and skill as a teacher.

For more information: http://www.uwo.ca/tsc/graduate_student_programs/tatp.html