Dear L&S LSAs,
Graduate student Lecturers, or LSAs, play an essential role in delivering a wide variety of courses to L&S undergraduates. For many of you, this may be your first time as instructor of record for your own course. Congratulations! Embarking on teaching independently for the first time can be both exciting and daunting. Even for seasoned instructors, we know that being both a graduate student and a Lecturer can come with unique challenges and opportunities.

This newsletter comes to you biweekly from the L&S TA Training & Support Team (pictured at right) within L&S Teaching, Learning, and Academic Planning. Our goals are to provide you with timely teaching tips and resources throughout the semester, invite you to programming and events relevant to your role, and connect you with opportunities for peer support and community. Please feel free to contact us if you need help or have any suggestions for this newsletter.

Thank you for everything you do to support L&S students. Best wishes for a great semester!

Lynne Prost
Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Academic Affairs
College of Letters & Science

 Apply for the Peer Observation Program by L&S

  • Are you a new LSA wanting feedback on your verbal communication skills in the classroom?
  • Are you a seasoned LSA looking for someone outside of your department who can tell you how you are doing in the classroom?
  • Are you in your last year of teaching and preparing for your faculty interviews and teaching demos?
Partner with another graduate student instructor for one observation. You will also receive personalized feedback from an additional experienced observer.

Apply by Jan 26 for the Spring 2026 cohort or for more details before you apply, visit our website.

 Prepare to Teach 

All the info you need to start the Spring semester strong, with a handy checklist to guide you. Plus a roundup of helpful events and guides! Get started.

This resource is provided by the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Mentoring.

 Teaching an Online Asynchronous Course This Summer?

The L&S LSA Course Design Jumpstart is a hands-on, in-person workshop that helps graduate student lecturers build their online asynchronous Summer 2026 course with confidence. In a collaborative setting, participants will plan their courses, develop inclusive teaching strategies, and create meaningful ways to connect with and support all students. For more information and to register, visit LSA Jumpstart.

  Tips from Teaching Mentors  

Teaching Mentors facilitate the annual Fall and Spring TA Training by L&S. Those selected to be Teaching Mentors have a proven track record of excellence as educators and a strong desire to mentor TAs.
 

Getting to Know Your Students: Setting Expectations with Zoe Ryan (Botany Department)

"One great way to start off the semester is by setting a list of class norms. I recommend providing them with a starting list with points like Respect Boundaries, Engage Respectively, etc. You can explain to your students that you are bringing these up to create a comfortable learning environment for everyone; you expect them to follow these norms, and you will follow them in turn! Give students the opportunity to edit or add on any other norms they think are important; it’ll help them feel like an active and important part of the class. Review the suggestions, and share the final copy with your class. If you have some issues down the line, you can refer back to your norms as well."

Chinese Names Pronunciation Workshop

Next Friday, Jan 30, 2026, from 9:30-10:30am the TA Training and Support Team will be leading a workshop where TAs will learn essential Chinese pronunciation tips and leave with the skills they need to say their students' names right the first time. Please register now or visit our webpage for more details.

Teaching Mentor Nominations Due Feb 12

L&S is looking for passionate TAs from a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds to serve as facilitators at the annual Fall TA Training. Those selected to be Teaching Mentors have not only a proven track record of excellence as educators, but also a strong desire to share their experience and mentor new TAs. Nominations are due Feb 12th by 5pm.

Partner with Learning Support at UW–Madison

Let’s work together to support your students! Learning Support at UW–Madison offers tutoring and academic resources that complement your efforts as a TA, making it easier to help students succeed. There are many learning centers on campus that provide support in different subject areas and are happy to work with you and your class. Learning Support can also collaborate directly with you to customize support, just reach out! Students can also access small-group tutoring (early sign-up usually needed) and drop-in tutoring throughout the semester. You can learn more about Learning Support services on the Learning Support website.

Cyberhygiene: Keeping Your Devices Clean for Your Students

The Cyberhygiene resource page is a resource developed specifically for UW TAs by the L&S Cybersecurity team to show you simple steps for protecting your students' data on your personal device.

Teaching Insight in your Inbox

Enhance your teaching effectiveness by subscribing to the monthly L&S Instructional Design Collaborative newsletter, "Teaching in L&S". Each edition delivers practical, evidence-based teaching strategies and shares compelling stories from instructors across the College.
Get Teaching in L&S
Photo from Wisconsin Alumni Association / UW–Madison
Learning Forward is brought to you by the L&S TA Training & Support Team.
 
 
L&S Teaching & Learning Administration
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN–MADISON
307 South Hall  |  Madison, WI 53706
 
 
Feedback, questions or accessibility issues: teach.learn@ls.wisc.edu