What is a TA Trainer/Graduate Teaching Specialist?

TA Trainers, or Graduate Teaching Specialists, in the College of Engineering are experienced, enthusiastic, and highly motivated engineering graduate students who play a key teaching role in the Engineering TA Development Program. The position requires approximately eight hours per week in July, August, and September and comes with a $1000 stipend. Spring semester commitments include an average of four hours per week from mid-January through mid-February and come with a $500 stipend.

What do Graduate Teaching Specialists do?

Graduate Teaching Specialists are involved from start to finish in Engineering TA Training.  In addition to serving as role models/resources for newly appointed TAs in the College, they also do the following:

• develop and co-facilitate workshops to prepare new TAs for their roles in working with students;
• learn innovative teaching methods;
• receive training in workshop facilitation;
• conduct microteaching sessions;
• share ideas/work cooperatively; and
  
• co-author/publish papers.

Engineering Learning Initiatives TA Fellowship

The TA Fellow with Engineering Learning Initiatives is an experienced, enthusiastic, and highly motivated engineering graduate student who will play a key role in the Engineering TA Development Program. This position works closely with the Associate Director and also collaborates with other TA Trainers/Graduate Teaching Specialists. The TA Fellow will receive a summer stipend, as well as full tuition and accompanying stipend for the academic year.  Responsibilities include working in the Engineering Learning Initiatives office approximately 15-20 hours per week throughout the year on various program tasks, including: 

• Coordinating production of TA Handbook
• Coordinating fall and spring TA training sessions, including registration, microteaching, and make-up sessions
• Collecting, compiling, and analyzing feedback on the training sessions
• Coordinating production of electronic TA newsletter
• Coordinating the ENGRG 6780 teaching seminar and mid-term feedback process

As a member of the Engineering Learning Initiatives staff, the TA Fellow also assists with other program initiatives as needed, particularly in the areas of Academic Excellence Workshops and The LeaderShape Institute at Cornell University.

For additional information, or to apply for a TA Trainer position or the Engineering Learning Initiatives TA Fellowship, please contact:

Linda J. Tompkins, Associate Director
Engineering Learning Initiatives
167 Olin Hall
607-255-8861
eng-learning@cornell.edu