1. Graduate Teaching Assistant Program
Orientation
Fall 2017

2. Introductions
Geri Rypkema, Assistant Provost, Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships
Lisa Rice, Associate Professor, Special Education and Disabilities Studies
Karen Ihrig, Assistant Professor, Special Education and Disabilities Studies, Instructor for the On-line GTA Course
Eileen Lavelle, Assistant Director, Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships

3. Quote to Guide Us…

4. Why Are You Here? Benefits the GW students you serve Benefits
Learn to be a professor
Prepare for ANY position in which you do presentations, training
Hone other employment skills (communication, teamwork, technology literacy)
Really learn the material you teach

5. Elements of GTAP
GTAP Orientation: Today’s workshop on GA requirements, privileges, campus resources, and teaching ideas to get you started
Instructional Presentation: Today’s mini-teaching demonstrations, with feedback on presentation skills
(If Native Language is not English) Oral English Proficiency Screening (OEPS) with Speech and Hearing Clinic
Orientation Evaluation: GA feedback about today’s Orientation.

6. Elements of GTAP Online GTA Certification Course UNIV 0250.DE:
Readings/resources and short assignments in Blackboard
No charge
Pass-fail
MUST COMPLETE and PASS to:
Continue as a GA in future semesters or years
Be eligible to teach a course at GW independently

7. More Elements of GTAP
Departmental Training and Guidance: Most important: Seek feedback
Departmental Evaluation: Mentoring professor’s evaluation of your semester’s GA performance.

8. Broad Responsibilities as an Instructor (Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education in Canada)
Display content competence
Display pedagogical competence
Deal sensitively with sensitive topics
Foster student development
Avoid dual relationships
Maintain confidentiality
Show respect for colleagues
Perform valid assessments of students
Show respect for the institution

9. Payment Process
GA salary payments are issued on the last business day of the month.
Direct Deposit, OR
Mailed to permanent address
GA salary requirements for payments to be made:
Tax paperwork (W-4, etc.) must be completed
Employment Verification Form (I-9), Part I & Part II
All paperwork can be completed at the Faculty and Staff Service Center, Rice Hall, 2121 Eye Street, First Floor

10. Perks
GA Parking: For discount, complete form at Student Parking Services in Colonial Central, Marvin Center, Ground Floor
Services:
Do IT training in Word, Excel, PowerPoint; use of Instructional Technology Lab in Gelman, Blackboard training, etc.

11. You’re Not Alone! Faculty mentor
Department chair: if you have problems with your faculty mentor
GTAP website:
Online GTA course: great web resources on teaching
Counseling Center (4-5300): help for psychological problems; stress mgt., study skills, test anxiety, time mgt. workshops; peer tutoring program

12. You’re Not Alone!
The Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities and the Office of Academic Integrity
4-6757
Supports the university’s academic community and supplies and oversees policy and procedures at GW.

13. You’re Still Not Alone! Gelman (or Himmelfarb) Library
Reference Desk (4-6558)
Help researching topics & training students in library research skills
Division of Information Technology (IT)
The IT training unit (4-4948)
Provides both classroom and online training in PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, and more if you sign in through Skillport or GLearn

14. You’ll Never Walk Alone!
Writing Center
4-3765
Help with papers
See University Writing Program website, especially the WID Studio, for guidance on teaching writing
Disability Support Services
4-8250
Help for students needing accommodations
International Services Office
4-4477
Help for international students

15. You’re a Student First!
Take your GA responsibilities seriously, but don’t let them consume you.
Work no more than 20 hours/week on average.
#1 priority is your own studies!