FAQs for Teaching Assistants

…grading is taking twice as long as I planned? Efficient grading depends on defining clear rubrics or standards up front. It is great to give students attention and feedback, but there are strategies for keeping this manageable, such as office hours consultation, peer evaluation exercises, and the use of online feedback tools. Discuss with other TAs in your course (if any) and your faculty course leader. Attend grading-related workshops at the CTL or, for more immediate help, request a consultation by emailing CTLgrads@columbia.edu. …I disagree with something the faculty instructor has said in class? This can be an occasion for a lively and informative conversation for both of you. Don’t mutter to yourself — talk it out after class. If for some reason you don’t feel comfortable discussing your disagreement with the faculty member, consider approaching your department’s Director of Graduate Studies, the Chair of your department, or the GSAS Office of the Dean. …a student has clear difficulty with the mechanics of writing, more than I can address? Undergraduates come to us with a wide range of writing skills; some may not have deep experience writing in English. The University Writing Center offers workshops and one-on-one consultations; students may arrange appointments or come by during drop-in hours. …I realize my students have little or no experience with research libraries and they need these skills for their papers? Columbia’s library holdings are vast and complex. Luckily there are many ways for you and your students to ask librarians for help. Your class may benefit from research guides customized for your subject, which are available in CourseWorks. A library subject specialist in your discipline can discuss research support for your students in the context of a particular assignment.

…a student comes to my office hours and starts talking about difficult personal problems? Columbia has robust support for undergraduate and graduate students seeking counseling. Rather than get drawn into a student’s personal problems, suggest that they contact Counseling and Psychological Services . Go Ask Alice also has a helpful collection of information online. …I feel overwhelmed by responsibilities and challenges in my own life? You are not alone: over 60% of Columbia graduate students draw on Columbia’s Counseling and Psychological Services during their time at the University. CPS is a good first step. …I am tempted to develop a romantic relationship with one of my students? To quote Columbia’s Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action office, “It is the policy of the University that no faculty member shall have a consensual romantic or sexual relationship with a student over whom he or she exercises academic or professional authority. It is also the University’s policy that no faculty member shall exercise academic or professional authority over any student with whom he or she has or previously has had a consensual romantic or sexual relationship. This policy applies to all officers of instruction, research and the libraries, including student officers of instruction and research and graduate and undergraduate teaching assistants.” …I feel I am being harassed by a student, a fellow graduate student instructor, or a member of the faculty or staff–or I see harassment between students?

See pertinent definitions and policies published by the EOAA. Columbia’s gender-based misconduct policies may also pertain. Contact the EOAA to report an incident or to request a consultation. In some cases it may be best to talk to a faculty course leader or your department’s Director of Graduate Studies before taking this action.

You need ideas about teaching strategies, writing a teaching philosophy, or designing a syllabus.
Online advice abounds, from the CTL Resources section as well as from leading teaching centers at peer institutions such as Michigan, Stanford, Cornell, and Vanderbilt.

For informal conversation and brainstorming with Columbia faculty, staff, and fellow TAs, drop by the CTL’s informal Teachers’ Lounge, or register for upcoming CTL programming. To arrange an individual consultation or to sign up for our monthly “Teaching Buzz” newsletter, email CTLgrads@columbia.edu.

Visit the following links for resources from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences:

GSAS website
Teaching Guidelines
Professional Development
Teaching Scholars Program
Attend a Conference