How to Be a Good Teaching Assistant Washington DC

Steps

1. Actually want to teach. If it's mandated by your program, teach courses you're interested in yourself. For example, don't teach Economics if you're a Physics student.
2. Know the material that you're going to be teaching inside and out. Be prepared to answer all types of questions.
3. Know how to teach. Take a few courses in education or get advise from a reputable professor
4. Explain the solution in detail and slowly. Relay information in different formats or from different perspectives. Don't cite only the textbook solution.
5. Grade fairly and reasonably. Don't expect perfection in intro-level courses
6. Be available for extra help from your students. Respond to E-mail questions promptly.

Tips

• Speak clear, fluent English if you're an international student. Ask people who don't know you well how strong your accent is.
• Hand out a syllabus on the first day and stick to it.
• If you're a lab TA, attend the lectures the students do so you keep consistent. This way you can also answer questions about a lecture.
• Get feedback from your students at the end of the semester on ways to improve. Be open to constructive criticism.
• Keep control over your classroom (talking, cell phones, etc.)
• Give correct answer or indicate error on returned papers or exams.
• Post lecture notes or slides online or offer to E-mail them to students.

Warnings

• Don't humiliate a student in front of the class
• If using PowerPoint as a teaching aid, never read the presentation to the class. Elaborate on main points.

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