GA/TA Development Opportunities at the CTL!
The Centre for Teaching and Learning’s GA/TA development program was first started in 2008. The GATA Network itself is a collaboration with CTL and the Faculty of Graduate Studies that was initiated in 2010. With your participation and support, GATA Development will continue to grow.
If you wish to make use of any of the services listed below or would like more information, please contact Laura Chittle at Laura.Chittle@uwindsor.ca.
GA/TA Services Currently Offered
The GATA Network Development Team works with GAs and TAs across campus, introducing them to mentors and resources they will need to improve their pedagogical knowledge and skills. The current GATA Network Coordinators are: Sheldon Fetter, Jake Ouellette, and Onome Eluwa who are building upon the foundation created by Betsy Keating, Greg Paziuk, Laura Chittle, Elizabeth Ismail, Paige Coyne, and Irene Muir. The GATA Network Development Team uses social media to connect students online. They are on X at (@GATAnetwork), Facebook, and Instagram. On campus, new and experienced GAs and TAs can meet face-to-face at learning communities, workshops, and practice sessions. We encourage GAs and TAs to support and learn from each other. The GATA Network will assist small departmental or faculty groups with on-site discussions or workshops. That's right, we'll come to you! Just let us know which skills your group is interested in developing. Contact us at gata@uwindsor.ca.
GATA Workshops and Events. The GATA Network offers professional development workshops and events open to all current and prospective UWindsor GAs/TAs. Fall GATAcademy is a series of interactive workshops led by experienced professionals, including current GAs/TAs and faculty members from across campus. Topics include mastering technology in the classroom, conducting effective labs and tutorials, and best practices in grading and feedback. Similarly, Winter GATAcademy is a series of interactive workshops held at the beginning of the second academic semester. Throughout the academic year, the GATA Network Series offers monthly workshops focused on topics related to GA/TA life and other teaching and learning areas. The Network Team incorporates participant feedback and interests when developing these workshops. To view recordings of past workshops, visit the GATA Network YouTube Channel.
GATA Handbook. This introductory handbook is a starting point for GAs/TAs. Chapters include common GA/TA roles and responsibilities, grading and effective feedback, leading labs and tutorials, teaching strategies, inclusive teaching practices, and a whole lot more! Each chapter contains videos linking to past teaching and learning workshops and clickable links embedded throughout that will provide additional resources. For additional resources, explore this collection of teaching and learning articles geared toward GAs/TAs: Toward Better Teaching.
GATA Awards. The GATA Awards are presented to exceptional GAs/TAs who contribute to a positive, learning-centred environment at the University of Windsor. The two award categories are: GA/TA Award for Educational Practice and GA/TA Award for Educational Leadership.
University Teaching Certificate. The CTL offers the University Teaching Certificate designed to help academics, at all levels and in all disciplines, develop their teaching practice, with the goal of enhancing student learning. See the Courses page for descriptions of our UTC course offerings.
Classroom Observations. GAs and TAs who want feedback on their teaching may request a classroom/laboratory/tutorial observation, followed by confidential written and verbal advice about both strengths and recommended changes.
Teaching Dossier Academy. A week-long summer event involving workshops and mentoring to help you create a teaching dossier that presents you at your best.
Teaching Dossier Support. Preparing for the job market? Applying for a sessional position? The CTL is happy to provide advice, mentoring, and support to help you create stellar teaching dossiers -- throughout the year.
Individual Consultations. We are available throughout the year to meet with you to discuss teaching and learning issues, methodologies, philosophies . . . if it's about teaching and learning, we're happy to chat!
Teaching and Learning Workshops. Throughout the year the CTL offers a variety of teaching and learning workshops open to all members of the University of Windsor community -- including GAs and TAs. Keep an eye on our website for details.