TA Roles and Expectations: The Instructor’s Perspective

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TA Roles and Expectations: The Instructor's Perspective 

Purpose: This resource guides instructors in effectively supervising and collaborating with TAs by clarifying responsibilities, defining shared expectations, and promoting strong communication that supports student learning and course operations.

Good communication between instructors and TAs is crucial. 

See Support Teaching Staff Hiring, Roles, and Eligibility in the Faculty Portal under Course Resources on the Courses Tab. 

Typical TA Responsibilities

  1. Answer students’ questions via discussion boards, email, or during class

  1. Support students who need help

  1. Be a liaison between you and the students

    1. Some students may be hesitant to approach you

    2. TAs can alert you about students who are having difficulty

  1. Grade student work

  1. Manage and monitor discussion boards

  1. Manage and organize the Canvas course website

    1. Create assignments

    2. Manage Modules

    3. Publish materials

    4. Upload files

    5. Send announcements

    6. Make sure materials meet accessibility requirements

  1. Attend class

    1. If online, manage breakout rooms, chat and routine tech tasks

  1. Run section meetings

  1. Occasionally hold a special section to demonstrate a tool needed for the course or explain a difficult concept

  1. Hold office hours

  1. Assist with exams and projects

    1. Hold extra sections or office hours to prepare

    2. Be on call if students experience tech difficulties or have questions

  1. Advise students about resources

  2. Discuss Expectations with Your TA

  1. Number of hours they will work each week

    1. The amount of time that should be devoted to each responsibility

    2. If more time be needed at the start of the semester, mid-term or at the end

    3. If you have a team of TAs, assign one as the head TA and make sure all understand their roles and responsibilities

  1. Additional responsibilities they may have at different times during the semester

  1. Grading

    1. Discuss if you will you grade together or if the TA grades first and you review

    2. How the workload will be divided

    3. Make sure the TAs understand your grading standards and policies

  1. If you want to decide topics to be discussed during section, or if you want them to do it

  1. How often you will meet

  1. When the TA should bring something to your attention

Resources

  1. Teaching and Learning Website 

  2. Extension School TA Community

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