Welcome to the UWindsor GATA Network. We’re a new project funded by Graduate Studies at the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada and in collaboration with the UWindsor Centre for Teaching and Learning. Our purpose is to bring together graduate and undergraduate teaching assistants across campus, but we don’t mind if others want to play along from wherever you might be. You can learn more about who we are and what we’re up to on our About Page. You can also meet the team: Betsy, Candace, and Melanie.

The name of this site is Towards Better Teaching. Becoming an effective teacher is an ongoing endeavour. No matter who you are, how long (or short) you’ve been teaching, or how much alphabet soup after your name there is room to grow. Whether you’re just getting started in a classroom teaching role or you’ve been doing this a while, please check back for weekly teaching tips, classroom scenarios, information on the research of teaching and learning, workshops, conferences and guest posts. We promise to make it worth your time.

Before I sign off for today, I’d like to share our very first guest post. Erika Kustra, our very own Director of Teaching and Learning Development, shares an experience from her early days as a teaching assistant:

It feels like it was not very long ago that I was starting as a graduate teaching assistant.  I was terrified – most of the students were very close to my age, and in fact, my roommate was in the class.  Trying to seem older, I dressed up in a skirt and high heels.  Since I normally wore ripped jeans, dressing-up actually made me feel uncomfortable and uneasy rather than older.

I remember standing at the front of the tutorial group and asking “Any questions?”   There was a resounding silence, which I immediately filled.  I thought maybe the students hadn’t understood the professor, and so I repeated what had been covered in Lecture. I never did get any questions or discussions.  Overall, that first tutorial was not a success. There had to be a better way to teach!

Luckily for me, there was a centre for teaching and learning at my university. Over the following years, I took every course they offered.  I started to try out different ways to get students asking questions, and ways to feel more comfortable in front of a class. It was amazing to me that there were very simple things I could do to help students with their learning.

I started to love teaching, and to enjoy experimenting with my teaching to make it better.

At times, I did feel a bit isolated. But, I found a network of people, and a mentor who could help me.  The new GATA Network here at the University of Windsor is developed by GAs and TAs for GAs and TAs.  It is a wonderful way to build a community within your own department and faculty.  It is a group that you can share your ideas, your struggles, and your triumphs with –  and the joy of teaching.

I look forward to getting to know you over the years!

Erika

Erika Kustra, PhD
Director, Teaching and Learning Development

Centre for Teaching and Learning, University of Windsor

We welcome your comments, questions, and ideas. Head over to our Contact Page for information on how to get in touch!

 

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