Mentorship Among Instructors  

Are you part of a teaching team? While the lead instructor is positioned to provide key guidance, TAs also mentor and support each other. Chemistry's Léa Gustin and Claire Lundberg share unique insights and practical tips for developing strong relationships between instructors and encouraging TA growth in the latest episode of the L&S Exchange Podcast.
Podcast Episode

More Mentorship Resources

  • Peer Observation Partners helps L&S graduate students improve both teaching and observation skills within a cohort. Enrollment for spring will open soon.
  • The L&S Teaching Mentors Program connects experienced Teaching Assistants with new TAs during the annual L&S TA Training event. Departments are enthusiastically invited to nominate outstanding TAs to participate! The program provides opportunities for Teaching Mentors to advance to Lead Mentors after their first year. Nominations open soon.

  Last Call for TA Award Nominations    

The Campus-Wide Teaching Assistant Awards recognize outstanding graduate student teaching. Nominations are due this Monday, Nov. 18.
 

  Teaching Tips from Experienced TAs  

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

This Week's Teaching Mentor:

Mojca Penca is a Doctoral Candidate in English (Literary Studies)
 

"Communicating with Students" with Mojca Penca

"I often teach four sections per semester and around assignment deadlines, overall anxieties spike and my emailing load can reach up to 20-25 student emails per day. To reduce screen fatigue and remain accessible, I offer students multiple ways of getting in touch with me by opening up additional office hours and by arriving early to lectures and staying around after to address their concerns. I’m also transparent with students about my limited availability during weekends and outside business hours, sending them reminders about extension policies and email access in the week leading up to a major assignment."
 

Teaching and Learning Symposium Returns May 15

The annual Teaching and Learning Symposium provides an opportunity for the UW–Madison teaching and learning community to share best practices, celebrate accomplishments, and discuss new learning and teaching practices and theories in a forum dedicated to enriching the student learning experience.

The theme for 2025 is “Engage and Inspire: The New College Classroom.” The Center for Teaching, Learning, and Mentoring invites proposals from graduate students, faculty, staff, and postdoctoral fellows for breakout sessions and poster presentations. Learn more or explore the Call for Proposals.

Ombuds: Confidential and Informal Support for Employees

The Ombuds Office is a safe place where UW-Madison employees can seek guidance regarding workplace concerns at any time, without fear of reprisal, and at no cost to them. Ombuds provide a confidential place to collaboratively explore complaints, clarify issues, and consider options and resources to address their concerns.

Ombuds are impartial and non-aligned, working to promote fairness in the workplace. Learn more or contact the Ombuds.
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