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Center for Teaching Excellence

Graduate Teaching Assistant

TA Orientation

All graduate students who will be newly appointed Graduate Teaching or Instructional Assistants (TAs) are required to attend the university-wide TA Orientation prior to teaching their first semester. TA Orientation is an important part of the University’s Graduate TA/IA Training Program and will help to ensure your success as a TA at USC.

TA Orientation Workshops

All graduate teaching and instructional assistants must attend two (2) three-hour orientation workshops, A and B, introducing graduate students to teaching at USC. These workshops provide concise, helpful information, resources and guidance on developing your teaching skills as you prepare to teach. Students can attend workshops on any day and in any order, but must attend one of each. A TA Orientation Information Sheet will be poste soon with detailed instructions including information on parking and dining options.

NOTE:  Deadline for TA Orientation registration is Monday, August 5, 2019.  Any late registrations preferred dates cannot be guaranteed after that date.  

 Fall 2019 TA Orientation Workshops
Date 9 a.m. - Noon 1 - 4 p.m. Location

Wednesday, August 14

Workshop A

Workshop B

Russell House Ballroom

Thursday, August 15

Workshop B

Workshop A

Russell House Ballroom

Tuesday, August 20

Workshop A

Workshop B

Williams-Brice
Nursing Bldg.
Room 125

Wednesday, August 21

 Workshop B

Workshop A

 Williams-Brice 
Nursing Bldg.
Room 125

Workshop A

Topics:

  • FERPA policies (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)
  • University policies
  • Discrimination and sexual harassment
  • Dealing with different types of disruptive student behavior (CHDC, BIT, USC Police)
  • University resources
  

Workshop B

Topics:

  • Teaching preparation and first-day tips
  • Workload management
  • Establishing the teacher-student relationship
  • Engaging students
  • Grading objectively
  • Classroom challenges
  • Veteran TA panel

Students must make every attempt to attend the workshops. Any student who misses TA Orientation must contact Dr. Michelle Hardee, TA Training Program Manager, at hardeem@mailbox.sc.edu or 803-777-1975.

PLEASE NOTE regarding your registration confirmation:

Confirmation of registration will be by email within a week of registration receipt via a list of Confirmed Dates for Registered Participants. Be sure to check this list to confirm what date/time you were assigned. First choices will be honored unless room capacity has been reached. 

If you have any questions or problems, please contact Dr. Michelle Hardee, TA Training Program Manager, at the Center for Teaching Excellence, hardeem@mailbox.sc.edu or 803-777-1975.

Register for Fall 2019 TA Orientation