Graduate Student Instructors

In many of the graduate programs at WWU, there are opportunities for graduate teaching assistants to teach, and with that, various support structures within departments and colleges. While recognizing that "local" mentoring should be the most valuable form of support for these new teachers, these online resources may also be useful.

Join the Community

Graduate students are encouraged to participate in the online learning community in Canvas, "Graduate Teaching Assistants Resources" (log in and then click "Join").

Key Offices

• Graduate School
• Programs by Department
• Forms
• Helpful Links for TAs
• Stipend & Waiver
• Teaching Assistantships
• Center for Community Learning - Building the capacity of our higher education institutions to serve the public
• Hacherl Research & Writing Studio (Graduate Student Support) - Supports the research and writing efforts of WWU's graduate students including one-to-one consultations, thesis partners, events (Bootcamp, Infosesh, & MegaWrites), and online resources
• Student Technology Center
• Testing Center - Gradebooks, evals for TAs
• Technology Training - Canvas, Relay 5, etc.
• Technology Quick Start Guide

Teaching-related Videos

• Videos for TAs, from California State Fullerton:
• Balancing Teaching, Research and Life
• The First Class
• First Time Teaching: Boundaries with Students
• First Time Teaching: Problems in the Classroom
• First Time Teaching: Grading

Highlighted Teaching & Learning Resources

• Library Research Consultation - Provides support via one-to-one consultations, online chat, Zotero workshops, APA, Databases, Research Clinics
• Quick-Start Essentials
• TLA - Invites students to the SOTL residency (research on teaching and writing)
• WIS - Writing-Research Fellowships, Backwards by Design Annual Retreat, and a space called The Corner - lockers, tea, space for office hours
• CIIA's Resources - Online Teaching Handbook, access to instructional and technology professional development events, graduate teaching assistant teaching Tips and Tricks Orientation
• Improving Students' Relationships with Teachers, American Psychological Association.
• Helping Graduate Teaching Assistants Lead Discussions with Undergrads, University of Arkansas.
• How Can a New Teacher Build Rapport with Students that Balances Friendliness with Professional Distance? Teaching Channel.
• Legal Issues Impacting Classroom Teaching, University of Michigan.
• Overview of Learning Theories, UC Berkley.
• Preparing for The First Class, Teaching Commons, Stanford University.