2009 Graduate Teaching Assistant Program
Wednesday and Thursday, August 19-20
Sponsored by the Teaching Resource Center, the Office of the Provost, the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, and the School of Engineering & Applied Sciences

Especially for beginning teaching assistants; all who teach are invited.

Wednesday, August 19

8:15-8:50 Check-In/Registration & Refreshments
Old Cabell Hall Lobby

9:00-9:20 Welcome to Teaching at U.Va.
Allen Groves, Dean of Students
Old Cabell Hall Auditorium

9:30-11:00 Teaching the First Days of Class

Get practical advice about how to keep the butterflies under control and get your class off to a good start.

Liz Wittner, ITA Program Coordinator (CAELC) Cabell 311
Rachel Farr, Graduate Instructor (Psychology)  Cabell 316
Katherine Heller, Graduate Instructor (Math) Cabell 337
Brian Pailes, Graduate Instructor (Civil and Environmental Engineering) Cabell 323
Katie Quertermous, Graduate Instructor (Math) Cabell 338
Kanshukan Rajaratnam, Graduate Instructor (Systems & Information Engineering) Cabell 325
Lindsay Wright, Graduate Instructor (English) Cabell 324

11:00-11:10 Break with refreshments
Old Cabell Hall Lobby

11:15-12:45 CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Making It Work for Everyone: How to Teach All Students Effectively
Roberto Armengol  Graduate Instructor (Anthropology) Cabell 311
As a U.Va. faculty member has said about teaching our diverse student population, "Sensitivity isn't enough; you need strategies." This workshop offers useful strategies for teaching the variety of students we meet at U.Va. Participants will learn how different backgrounds shape students' classroom experiences and how we can create inclusive learning environments.

Successful Teaching Techniques To Use in the Lab
Jennifer Maeng, Graduate Instructor (Science Education) Cabell 325
Learn ways to make laboratory classes a successful setting in which to pursue scientific inquiry and enhance scientific understanding.

Teaching Problem-Solving Sessions
Edward Murphy, Associate Professor (Astronomy) Cabell 324
Justin Smoyer, Graduate Instructor (Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering) Cabell 323
Get tips on how to be successful teaching a problem-solving section in science, social science, or engineering.

Facilitating Classroom Discussions
Tristan Bridges, Graduate Instructor (Sociology) Cabell 337
Ryan Cordell, Graduate Instructor (English) Cabell 320
Matthew Munson, Graduate Instructor (Religious Studies) Cabell 338
Discuss ways to effectively facilitate classroom discussions, including tips for maximizing student preparation and participation, asking compelling questions to stimulate exciting and productive exchanges, guiding discussion without stifling students' creativity, and grading participation fairly.

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

Thursday, August 20

8:15-8:50 Check-In/Registration & Refreshments
Old Cabell Hall Lobby

9:00-9:20 Welcome to Teaching at U.Va.
John T. Casteen III, President
Old Cabell Hall Auditorium

9:30-11:00 Difficult Classroom Situations

What if your students say a test is unfair?…talk during others' presentations?…question the grades on their papers? By discussing scenarios of some teachers' nightmares, you enhance your chances of avoiding any yourself.

Roberto Armengol, Graduate Instructor (Anthropology) Cabell 337
Laura Hawthorne, Graduate Instructor (Religious Studies) Cabell 320
Matthew Munson, Graduate Instructor (Religious Studies) Cabell 338
Brian Pailes, Graduate Instructor (Civil and Environmental Engineering) Cabell 323
Michael Palmer, TRC Faculty Consultant (Chemistry) Cabell 316
Kanshukan Rajaratnam, Graduate Instructor (Systems & Information Engineering) Cabell 325
Lindsay Wright, Graduate Instructor (English) Cabell 324

11:00-11:10 Break with refreshments
Old Cabell Hall Lobby

11:15-12:45 CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Tips and Techniques for Grading Student Writing
Does the class, lab, or discussion section you teach require you to grade student writing? And piles of it? In this workshop, we'll discuss strategies for grading and commenting on student writing quickly, fairly, and effectively. We'll also discuss ways to prepare students better for their writing assignments.

Science and Engineering
A focus on scientific writing, including essays, lab reports, and short answer exams:

Quinn McFrederick, Graduate Instructor (Biology) Cabell 325
• geared towards TAs grading such subjects as biology, physics, chemistry, environmental
sciences, etc.

Jason Yang, Graduate Instructor (Biomedical Engineering) Cabell 323
• geared towards TAs grading such subjects as engineering, computer science, etc.

Humanities and Social Sciences
A focus on essays, short answer and essay exams:

Steph Brown, Graduate Instructor (English) Cabell 324
• geared towards humanities TAs grading such subjects as literature, music, philosophy,
religious studies, etc.

Harold Mock, Graduate Instructor (History) Cabell 337
• geared towards humanities and social science TAs grading such subjects as history, art or
architectural history, politics, etc.

Rachel Farr, Graduate Instructor (Psychology) Cabell 338
• geared towards social science TAs grading such subjects as sociology, psychology, etc.

Teaching Math to Majors, Non-Majors, Pre-Meds, Engineers
Katherine Heller, Graduate Instructor (Math) Cabell 320
Explore innovative pedagogical techniques to create an effective learning environment in a variety of math course settings.

Moving Beyond Learning Disabilities in Foreign Language Courses
Emily Scida, Associate Professor (Spanish, Italian & Portuguese) Cabell 316
How to spot learning disabilities and accommodate students with them in your course.

12:55-1:25 TAs & the Honor System
Honor Committee Members, Old Cabell Hall Auditorium
What should you do if you see students cheating? What can you do to promote academic integrity? Led by members of the Honor Committee, this session will cover how to include the Honor System in your syllabus, what to do if you suspect cheating, and your options and responsibilities as an instructor. There will be time at the end of the presentation for your questions.

1:30-2:30 Lunch
The TRC and your Dean want to provide you with an opportunity to talk informally with each other. Workshop participants who pre-register can pick up their lunches following the Honor Committee's presentation.

1:30-2:30 Lunch for International TAs
Liz Wittner, ITA Program Coordinator (CAELC) Wilson Hall 301
International Teaching Assistants who will teach for the first time at U.Va. during the Fall semester should plan to attend this session to discuss teaching in an American university classroom. A panel of experienced international TAs will informally share their experiences, offer practical suggestions, and answer questions.