photo © 2006 Sally Mahoney | more info (via: Wylio)The new year will also bring a new term of teaching. Are you ready? How do you know if you are? And what can you do to be sure that you are? Not all GAs and TAs have departmental training, but just because you are not given resources does not mean that you cannot find them yourself.

Here are some things you should check with your supervisor or graduate secretary to make sure that your new year is off to a good start.

• What are the pre-requisites for the course? Is this course open to non-majors? What is the usual student demographic (first year? second-language etc?)
• When are the classes? Am I to attend each class?
• How many students will I be responsible for?
• Do I have to hold office hours? How many hours a week? What do I cover during this time?
• What are my responsibilities during class? (do I lecture? lead discussion? take notes? lead labs?)
• Are there any materials or resources that I can read to prepare for the course?
• What is the departmental policy for late papers? plagiarism? absence? etc
• What should I do, or who do I contact if I will be absent?
• Will I be evaluated? If so, by whom? how often?

What other questions do you/did you have as a new GA or TA?