If you are new to teaching with TAs or would like resources to support your teaching team, this toolkit is for you!

In this toolkit, you will find guidelines for communicating with your TAs before, during, and after the semester. You can also adapt and disseminate our resources, such as professional guidelines, TA communication tips, and a welcome survey.

While the specifics of your teaching team dynamic will depend on your specific TAs and departmental norms, this guide provides the foundations for a successful instructor-TA professional relationship.

Overview

You may wonder what specifically to assign your TAs. Here is a list of commonly delegated TA tasks. You can start with this broad overview, then narrow down your TAs’ tasks based on need and interest.

Course Planning
  • Create or revise lesson plans
  • Revise syllabus materials
  • Review and give feedback on existing materials
Teaching
  • Guest lecture
  • Office hours
  • Lab facilitation
  • Recitation facilitation
  • Pre-lab facilitation
Creating Materials
  • Quizzes
  • Exam questions
  • Problem sets
  • Handouts
  • Canvas resources
  • Lab/recitation activities
Grading and Feedback
  • Quizzes
  • Exams
  • Homework
  • Essays
  • Lab reports

Adapted from Pitt University Center for Teaching and Learning

Below is a list of many resources that may be relevant throughout the semester and can be returned to as many times as needed. We recommend routinely communicating with your TAs to accurately assess strengths and needed changes.

  • Teaching with TAs Checklist – foundational, strongly encouraged, and additional steps to take with TAs before, during, and after the semester.
  • TA Motivation Cards – descriptions of the 3 elements of TA motivation and self-determination. Includes practices that align with autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
  • TA Communication and Grading Tips – TA-centered tips for success, including first day questions, and characteristics of effective feedback.
  • Suggested First Meeting Agenda – a general outline for a pre-semester meeting with TAs. This meeting can be facilitated either right before or during the first week of class.
  • Sample TA Welcome Survey – a survey for TAs to fill out before your first meeting. Ask TAs to consider strengths, pedagogical interests, and past teaching experience. 
  • Sample Professional Expectations Guidelines – a starting point to share professional expectations for TAs and instructors. Should be modified based on teaching team agreements.
  • FAQs about Working with TAs – frequently asked questions among new and experienced faculty.
  • Faculty Communication Tips – strategies for faculty to employ to cultivate a communicative, collaborative, and cognizant working relationship with TAs.