Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs)
At Western Michigan University, Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) serve in a role related to teaching; some are instructors of record (meaning they are the ones primarily responsible for a course); some are instructors of lab sections, and some assist the instructor in some support capacity (such as grading or holding discussion sessions).
GTAs are part of the Teaching Assistants Union.
Hiring, orientation, and primary professional development support for graduate students are provided by the Graduate College and through the respective home departments.
The Office of Faculty Development and the Teaching and Learning team provide resources to support GTAs in their roles as instructors at Western Michigan University. As part of this commitment, the Office of Faculty Development also has a dedicated faculty fellow focused on GTA success, Dr. Meghann Meeusen.
Workshops, Events & Resources to support teaching
GTAs typically receive their onboarding and training through their respective home departments. In support of those departmental initiatives, the Teaching & Learning team offers a wide range of resources to support teaching—including time-saving resources, informative workshops and events, learning communities, customized one-on-one support, and much more.
- Teaching & Learning Events
- Teaching & Learning Resources for Instructors
- Wondering how to get started with your class? Check out the Semester To-do List.
- Explore great ideas for instruction, including articles, activities, and more.
- Instructional Technology support, including support with E-learning, Accessibility, and Media Services to support your teaching
Additionally, offices across WMU provide support. All workshops and events are open to GTAs unless specifically designated for a particular group of faculty.
New GTA Training
Each fall, the Office of Faculty Development offers a New GTA Training session as part of the required Graduate College GA Orientation. The training supports new GTAs to plan initial interactions in their classrooms or other learning spaces, engage effectively with their lead faculty instructors, and connect with experienced teachers and graduate students on campus.
- Please visit the Graduate College Orientation requirements for GTAs.
- As part of those requirements, all new GTAs are expected to attend the virtual, live Webex GTA Training event. GTAs will receive email information about this from the Graduate College.
OLLI Graduate Teaching Fellows Program
Calling all advanced teaching assistants who are ready to take their instructional skills to the next level—the WMUx OLLI Graduate Teaching Fellowship program is an incredible opportunity to develop a course of your own, present your research to an enthusiastic group of lifelong learners, enhance your CV, and earn a $300 scholarship!
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at WMU (OLLI) offers high-quality, non-credit educational experiences for mature adults (50 and older) in the greater Kalamazoo area. Those chosen for the Graduate Teaching Fellowship program will design and teach a one- to two-session course for the OLLI demographic on a topic related to their research during the spring semester. In preparation, fellows will attend three interactive working sessions to refine their instructional skills in a supportive environment under the mentorship of WMUx’s Teaching and Learning team and the Office of Faculty Development. Past courses taught by Graduate Teaching Fellows included topics such as autonomous vehicles, Jane Austen movie adaptations, Macbeth, prairie ecosystems, and snake handling.
NCFDD
WMU has an institutional membership with NCFDD, the leading provider of professional development in higher education. As part of our membership, we can offer all faculty, academic staff and graduate students access to a variety of free resources on our website, including webinars, guest experts, 14-Day Writing Challenges, and Dissertation Success Curriculum for graduate students. For instructions on how to activate your membership, visit the Institutional Memberships page or contact the Office of Faculty Development if you need assistance.
Additional WMU Resources
WMU offers a plethora of resources for graduate students that can support GTAs in their journey through WMU, as well as in their work with students a