Teaching Resources, GTA information

First things first, what is a GTA?

A GTA or graduate teaching assistantship, is the position that MOST graduate students in the EEB department fill. By being a GTA, which means being a TA for classes in the EEB/Biology departments, graduate students receive a stipend and tuition remission. If you're NOT a GTA, this either means you're on a GRA (graduate research assistantship) or you're funded by a fellowship. You would know if you were on either of these...so if you're not sure what you are, you're probably a GTA.

In our department, TA positions span both EEB classes and 100 & 200-level biology classes. While in the past students have been able to request classes that they'd like to TA for, most students are assigned to classes based off departmental need and students' previous experience. GTAs are an on-paper responsibility of 20 hours a week, though in reality this responsibility varies by class and by time of the semester, but data show that on average most TAs work FAR LESS than 20 hours a week.

Your GTA role is often assigned early if you are teaching an upper-level course (e.g., field ecology) and is usually assigned around August if you're in the general biology pool (i.e., teaching one of the intro biology discussions or labs).

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But what if I want to be a teacher at an (R2/SLACK/PUI) after my PhD?

If you're itching to get more experience teaching at a university level, you're in a great spot! Not only are there many other grad students in EEB who are similarly interested in education, we also have a ton of great resources and faculty members who can help you get to where you want to go.

Here's a non-comprehensive list of people, places on campus, courses, and other resources to check out:

People: email them with questions about ed research / future careers (limited to those who are currently w/in EEB, expanding soon)

Maryrose Weatherton, Schussler Lab
Hope Ferguson, Schussler Lab
Mali Hubert, Papes Lab
Maggie Mammatov, Sheldon Lab
Dr. Beth Schussler

Campus Opportunities:

CIRTL Certification - professional development and national certification opportunities related to undergraduate education
Teaching at KidsU - develop great classroom management when rangling 8 year olds :)
Programs put on by UTK's TLI center - programs change annually!

Courses:

Beth Schussler's Biology education journal club
Beth Schussler's curriculum development / CIRTL certification course
Stephanie Madison's curriculum development course (in Micro)

Outside Opportunities:

Some folks have taught courses at Maryville College over the summer
Many advisors are open to adding a chapter of education research and there are many in the department that have at least some experience w/in that field
SABER often has webinars, meetings, and other interesting content related to biology education
Journals like CBE LSE can be great extra-curricular reading to keep your teaching-brain active
Organizations around Knoxville like IMAMs & the Knoxville Zoo are always open to volunteers or part-time teachers
Most professors are open to a guest lecturer (especially in gen bio, ecology, lower level classes), all you have to do is ask!

GREBE

Teaching Resources, GTA information

First things first, what is a GTA?

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Your GTA role is often assigned early if you are teaching an upper-level course (e.g., field ecology) and is usually assigned around August if you're in the general biology pool (i.e., teaching one of the intro biology discussions or labs).

​

​

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​

But what if I want to be a teacher at an (R2/SLACK/PUI) after my PhD?

​

If you're itching to get more experience teaching at a university level, you're in a great spot! Not only are there many other grad students in EEB who are similarly interested in education, we also have a ton of great resources and faculty members who can help you get to where you want to go.

​

Here's a non-comprehensive list of people, places on campus, courses, and other resources to check out:

​

People: email them with questions about ed research / future careers (limited to those who are currently w/in EEB, expanding soon)

Maryrose Weatherton, Schussler Lab

Hope Ferguson, Schussler Lab

Mali Hubert, Papes Lab

Maggie Mammatov, Sheldon Lab

Dr. Beth Schussler

​

Campus Opportunities:

CIRTL Certification - professional development and national certification opportunities related to undergraduate education

Teaching at KidsU - develop great classroom management when rangling 8 year olds :)

Programs put on by UTK's TLI center - programs change annually!

​

Courses:

Beth Schussler's Biology education journal club

Beth Schussler's curriculum development / CIRTL certification course

Stephanie Madison's curriculum development course (in Micro)

​

Outside Opportunities:

Some folks have taught courses at Maryville College over the summer

Many advisors are open to adding a chapter of education research and there are many in the department that have at least some experience w/in that field

SABER often has webinars, meetings, and other interesting content related to biology education

Journals like CBE LSE can be great extra-curricular reading to keep your teaching-brain active

Organizations around Knoxville like IMAMs & the Knoxville Zoo are always open to volunteers or part-time teachers

Most professors are open to a guest lecturer (especially in gen bio, ecology, lower level classes), all you have to do is ask!

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