Current economic and social realities of higher education have placed increasing emphasis on using Teaching Assistants (TAs) in the classroom. However, missing from the discussion is how prepared these TAs are for the rigors of teaching and the effects of the increasing emphasis on their education and the education of their future students. To…

In this study, collaboration has been revisited between an American faculty member and an international graduate teaching assistant during a unique faculty-student mentoring model within principles of chaos theory. The role of culture, beliefs about language learning and teaching had been studied closely to improve faculty/international students'…

Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) have been identified as a promising approach to engage large numbers of students in discovery-based investigations in the biological sciences. As the prevalence of CUREs continues to increase nationwide, the role of graduate teaching assistants (TAs) in facilitating these courses has…

In this paper, we describe our approach to mentoring Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) as teaching and learning protégés within the context of a challenging undergraduate honours thesis course. An approach to mentoring GTAs in this multifaceted course is outlined, while providing practical strategies that expose GTAs to various aspects of the…

This qualitative analysis examines responses from individuals who completed a robust graduate instructor training program--a guided mentoring forum that meets bi-weekly, beginning the semester prior to the graduate students' first teaching assignment, and continuing through the totality of their teaching experience in graduate school. Current and…

The unique nature of the COVID-19 pandemic prevented many typical graduate assistantships from occurring due to school-building closures, virtual classes, and stay-at-home orders. As such, the authors address the increase of 'shadowing' graduate assistantships at a large land-grant institution. To uphold the governmental stay-at-home regulations…

To aid departments in growing and supporting the potential of novice instructors, this paper shares a peer-mentoring program that has been implemented at three universities over the last five years for graduate student instructors (GSIs, master, and doctoral) within mathematics departments. This paper provides frameworks, curricular topics,…

The drive to broaden equitable access to undergraduate research experiences has catalyzed the development and implementation of course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs). Biology education has prioritized embedding CUREs in introductory labs, which are frequently taught by graduate teaching assistants (GTAs). Thus, a CURE GTA is…

Many K-12 independent schools feature introductory teaching programs, like teaching fellowship or assistant teacher programs, as part of the faculty and school structure. The benefits of these programs for assistant teachers or pre-service teachers are well researched and documented in public school settings. Little, though, is known about the…

This paper, grounded in Positioning Theory (Harré & Van Langenhove, 1999), investigates the intricate journey of graduate assistants from self-formation to transformation. Through examining the pivotal themes of social interaction, dynamic roles, workplace culture, and professional development, the paper reveals a nuanced interplay of factors…

Graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) who run independent sections for larger lecture courses typically receive insufficient feedback. Course evaluations, already flawed by numerous biases, offer an amalgam of student reactions to lecture and section, even when comments specifically laud or criticize section instructors. Course designs also vary…

To build a more diverse STEM workforce, institutions seek to increase the representation of diverse groups in faculty and mentoring positions. The Learning Assistant (LA) near-peer student support program has the potential to bring diverse students into highly visible and impactful mentoring roles early in their college careers, benefiting both…

Much has been written concerning large, public universities and their utilization of graduate teaching assistants (GTAs). However, most small, private colleges and universities do not use teaching assistants for online instruction. Therefore, providing online graduate students opportunities to build and hone their teaching practice is vitally…

Pedagogical training of mathematics graduate students is often disconnected from the actual experience of teaching. Even with the support offered by standard instructor training models, mathematics graduate students find it hard to connect with students, mature pedagogically and contribute meaningfully, especially under the overwhelming conditions…

Understanding the effectiveness of peer mentor training in online learning environments prepares students for their roles as online peer mentors. In the Learning Assistant peer mentor program, Learning Assistants (LAs) play a crucial role in supporting student learning and engagement in STEM courses. Due to the shift to online learning during the…