Questions TAs Should Ask Professors

You’re probably wondering where to start when TA-ing for a course or professor for the first time. You just don’t know what you should be asking your supervising professor to get you started in the right direction. Not to worry. We’ve put together the following list of questions to help guide you along as you get settled this term as a teaching assistant. Depending on your role, the questions you ask will vary. Still, take some time to look through all of the questions that follow and choose the best ones that meet your needs. Feel free to show these questions to your professor, and if he or she has questions direct them to the CEUT. All the best with your Teaching Assistant career!

Members of the TA Leadership Board

Reggie Rogers-Coordinator
Jaronda Miller-Coordinator
Kelie Williams -Contributor

The Basics

What are your exp ectations of me as your TA?
Do you want me to attend all the classes or only a select few?
How can I get feedback from you on my performance?
What is the grading process I should use? Is there a rubric?
Do you wish to have weekly meetings to discuss the progress of the class?
Will you want me to grade exams?
Will there be any times when I will need to teach the class?
How many hours per week do you like me to hold office hours? Does this vary over the semester (e.g. more before exam time)?
How do you prefer me to handle suspected academic dishonesty?
How do you want me to report a student who may show a sign of a learning disability?
How do you want me to handle grade disputes?
How should I handle an emotionally disturbed student?
How should I resolve conflicts between students?

If you’re an Instructor of Record

How do I go about getting media equipment (TVs, overhead projectors, etc.) for my room?
When and how do I report my student's grades at the end of the semester?
If a student withdraws or drops my class, will I receive a notice?
If a student wants to add my class at the beginning of the semester how do I know if it is allowed (i.e. in terms of class limits, time frames, etc.)?
To what extent am I allowed to change the syllabus?
Do I write my own exams and homework, or do all renditions of this course use the same ones?
What should I do if I cannot be present at a class?
What should if there is a snowstorm and the university cancels classes?

If you’re a Laboratory TA

What is the policy if the students haven’t completed the experiment (either due to their own difficulties or equipment problems) by the end of the lab session?
Can I announce a “15 minute” and “5 minute” time warning so students wrap up on time?
Is there make-up lab time? If so, what are the procedures students should follow?
How do I handle students who don’t get along?
What do I do if students do not adhere to the safety regulations?