Teaching Assistant Intern - Prof. S. ThanAt — CSUF - College of Humanities & Social Science

Student assistants are selected based upon previous academic excellence. Additional demonstrated strengths include writing, listening, oral communication skills, and group interaction. The interpersonal skills of patience, respect, and appreciate for diversity, dependability, and professionalism are also necessary prerequisites.
Specifically, student assistants will:
v Develop personal objectives for the semester
v Attend all class sessions – we are co-teaching so please feel free to chime in with ideas or clarifications
v Allocate time outside of class to help students including via messaging apps (if you so choose), email, and/or Canvas. If you feel comfortable with students knowing your personal phone number, you can distribute that as you wish. My personal preference is for you to NOT, but if you want students to have easier access to you then you can.
v Maintain a comprehensive, subjective, and unedited journal of each experience related to this course. This includes every interaction: class sessions, meeting with students, telephone calls, email, communication via Canvas—anything relevant to the role of student assistant. Journal entries should include the date, description of the activity and personal thoughts/feelings about it. Start your journal with your thoughts before the beginning of the semester.
v Create, conduct, and evaluate a class presentation on a topic of your own special interest-consistent with the course and with the approval of the instructor.
v Attend debriefing sessions with the professor. These often occur just before or after a class session.
v CHECK YOUR EMAIL TWICE A DAY AS A MINIMUM. This is essential because students (and myself) require consistent responses from the TA. From personal experience, students are more likely to reach out to the TA (if there is one) well before they contact the professor. Student assistants are often the first line of communication for students. They will share their challenges and questions. Be sure to inform me if a question seems especially pertinent for me to clarify for the whole class. If a student specifically asks NOT to share information with me, that’s fine with the exception of anything that might endanger the student or others. At that point, you must tell the student, “This is something that I am required to share with Professor Stephen, and please know that we have your best interest in mind.” If a student shares thoughts or plans of self-harm, harm towards others, or any implication or explicit statements leading to suicidal thoughts or plans let me know right away! This has come up occasionally, so please be sure to contact me immediately!
v Offer feedback on assignments and exams. Balance positive comments (good word choice, well-constructed, lovely transition to the next section) with those that are more critical (each paragraph should have only one idea, be careful with the overuse of “I” to start multiple sequential sentences). Teaching assistants should be very ambitious to help students learn correct referencing, use of academic English, etc., but with the specific student in mind.
v Precent plagiarism. It is generally the TA who can spot a voice that is clearly not of the student. I have a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY for plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty. Alert me immediately if you suspect and we can do a check.
Behavior and Decorum
The role of student assistant is rather unique; not quite the professor, but more than a student-peer. Defining the role is difficult, so here are a few guidelines:
1. Support a high code of ethics and professionalism
a. Throughout the semester we will share confidential information about students. This is a sacred trust that must be maintained. If a student discloses something personal to you, ask permission to share it with me if appropriate. If you are concerned about the health and safety of the student, it is important for you to let me know immediately.
b. If a conflict arises between students, support a dialogue, try to build consensus, and encourage share goal setting. Suggest concrete ideas when appropriate and have confidence in your good judgement. Never hesitate to CALL ME.
c. Make eye contact with the students of the class regularly. You will be at the front of the class with me, so you are setting an example of what it means to be a professional.
2. Let’s talk and have fun
a. Let me know how you are doing. What can I do to help? Don’t hesitate to ask. We are a team! Be sure to have fun. This should be an exciting adventure into the academic world. If it isn’t, be sure to let me know.