1999 August Teaching Workshop - Teaching Assistants Program

9:00-9:20 Welcome Old Cabell Auditorium
John T. Casteen III, President

9:30-11:00 For Teaching Assistants: Teaching the First Days of Class
Amy Feely, Graduate Instructor, (History)
Jann Lacoss, Faculty Consultant, TRC (Slavic)
Jenry Morsman, Graduate Instructor,  (History)
Victoria Sevastianova, TRC (Slavic)
Michael Thomas, Graduate Instructor, (Rel. Studies)
Liz Wittner, TRC, ITA Program Administrator
How to keep the butterflies under control. Multiple sessions are offered so that all TAs may be comfortably accommodated.

11:00- 11:10 Break with refreshments

NOTE: The August Teaching Workshop has several periods of concurrent sessions. Most sessions will be videotaped. If you're interested in several topics, attend one session, then later check out tapes of the others from the TRC library.

11:15-12:45 CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Making It Work for Everyone: How to Teach All Your Students Effectively
Ishmail Conway, Assistant Dean (Drama)
Marva Barnett, Director, TRC (French)
As one experienced U.Va. instructor has said about our diverse student population, "Sensitivity isn't enough; you need strategies." This workshop offers useful strategies for teaching the variety of students we meet, encourages sharing of successful techniques, and gives participants a chance to see something of what students experience their first year at U.Va.

Moving Beyond Learning Disabilities in Foreign Language Courses
Cheryl Krueger, Associate Professor (French)
How to spot learning disabilities and accommodate students with them in your course.

Responding to Student Writing
Does the class or discussion section you teach require you to grade student writing? And piles of it? In this workshop, we'll discuss effective strategies for grading papers fairly and efficiently, for writing constructive comments and for preparing students better for their writing assignments. Three sections are offered, two for those in the Humanities, another for those in the Science, Math, and Engineering.

Humanities:
June Griffin, Director, First Year Writing, (English)
Mark McWilliams, Director, Writing Center (English)
Science, Math and Engineering:
Jon D'Errico, Associate Director, Writing Programs (English)

1:00 For International TAs
Liz Wittner, ITA Program Administrator (ESL)
ITAs who will teach for the first time at U.Va. during the Fall 1999 semester should plan to attend this session to learn about training programs and other resources available for ITAs. Practical suggestions to help you through your first days as an international instructor in an American classroom will be included, along with information about the SPEAK test. A complimentary lunch will be provided for those who preregister.

8:15-8:55 Registration

9:00-9:20 Teaching at U.Va.
Barbara Nolan, Vice Provost, Robert C. Taylor Professor of English

9:30-11:00 CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Teaching Lab Courses
Ed Lumadue, TA Supervisor (Biology)
Jennifer Secki, Graduate Instructor (Biology)
Teaching techniques to consider for a successful lab experience.   Two sessions are offered so that TAs interested in this topic may be comfortably accommodated.

Teaching Problem-Solving Sessions
Carol Hurney, Faculty Consultant in Science, Math, Engineering & Technology  (Biology)
If you'll be teaching a problem-solving section in Engineering, Science, or Math, get some tips on how to be successful.

Developing a Fair, Effective, Efficient Grading Policy
Jann Lacoss, Faculty Consultant, TRC (Slavic)
Learn how to make the least liked aspect of teaching more efficient and hassle-free by developing your grading philosophy and policies before you enter the classroom.

Making Your Presentations Count
Judith Reagan, Associate Director, TRC (Drama)
Brush up on your classroom "presence." Participate in exercises geared to reduce stage fright, increase concentration, and center and strengthen your voice.

Facilitating Classroom Discussions
Bill McAllister, Faculty Consultant, TRC (History)
Michael Smith, Associate Professor (GFA)
Leaders will focus on practical advice about how to maximize both student participation and the amount of material covered in class. Three sessions are offered so that TAs interested in this topic may be comfortably accommodated.

11:00-11:10 Break with refreshments

11:15-12:45 Difficult Classroom Situations
Candace Cone, Graduate Instructor, (French)
Amy Feely, Graduate Instructor, (History)
Linda Johnson, TRC, (Biology)
Jenry Morsman, Graduate Instructor, (History)
Victoria Sevastianova, TRC, (Slavic)
Michael Thomas, Graduate Instructor, (Rel. Studies)
What if your students . . . say a test is unfair? . . . talk during others' presentations? . . . question the grades on their papers? Discuss effective responses to scenarios of some teachers' nightmares before you face one. Multiple sessions are offered so that all TAs may be comfortably accommodated.

1:00 Lunch

1:00 For International TAs
Liz Wittner, ITA Program Administrator (ESL)
Learn more about cultural aspects of teaching at U.Va. from an international perspective. Training programs and other resources offered for ITAs will be explained, and you can ask questions about the SPEAK test. Preregister in order to receive a complimentary lunch.