The GATA Network is a collaborative initiative supported jointly by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) within the University of Windsor. The Network strives to create mentorship opportunities and teaching and learning resources to support graduate and undergraduate teaching assistants (GAs and TAs) with improving their pedagogical knowledge and skills.
The GATA Network offers large-scale professional development events to current and prospective GAs/TAs. These events also provide transformative leadership opportunities to experienced assistants who develop and lead workshops.
GATAcademy
GATAcademy is a full-day professional development event open to all current and prospective UWindsor GAs/TAs. Throughout this event, the GATA Network offers 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.
GATA Winter Academy
To meet the needs of UWindsor GAs/TAs who begin in the winter semester and those unable to attend GATAcademy in September, the GATA Network offers the GATA Winter Academy at the beginning of the second academic semester. Similar to GATAcademy, this is a daylong series of interactive workshops led by experienced GAs/TAs and faculty members.
GATA Network Series
Throughout the academic year, the GATA Network 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.
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. For more information, visit the GATA Awards webpage.
Social Media Outreach
The GATA Network operates a blog, Towards Better Teaching, which includes regular posts about the issues GA/TAs face, teaching and learning theories and resources, as well as other light-hearted postings. The Network also maintains a Facebook page and Twitter account, which it uses to connect with GA/TAs and advertise upcoming events.
GATA Teaching and Learning Handbook
The GATA Teaching and Learning Handbook, Towards Better Teaching: A Handbook for Undergraduate and Graduate Students at the University of Windsor is a resource manual created for GAs/TAs who want to develop and/or improve their pedagogical knowledge and practice.
You can contact the GATA Network Team at gata@uwindsor.ca. The Team is happy to discuss opportunities and events for your GAs and TAs.
For more information, consult the GATA Network website.