Skip to main content

Kandice Pardy

SFU Student Graduate
Health Sciences › Global Health
Work-Study

multiple students during a class looking at powerpoint slide
Credit
NeONBRAND on Unsplash
Remember to enjoy learning along with your students. They always teach you something new and can help you see material in a new light.

When I was accepted into the Master of Public Health program at Simon Fraser University, never would I have expected that in my first-year I would also become a teaching assistant (TA). I have close friends and relatives who have had the opportunity to TA while in university and all encouraged me to apply. Now ending my first year as a TA, I thought I would share a few helpful tips I’ve learned along the way: 

1. Reach Out to Your Students

I was surprised to find that most students wouldn’t contact me with a question unless a) they had an emergency or b) they already felt comfortable contacting me. I learned that sending out one email to introduce myself wasn't enough. To help students see that I was approachable I sent out emails on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Sending regular emails or reminding students of office hours made me more approachable which helped students feel more comfortable contacting me later in the semester.

2. Highlight the Syllabus

Many students don’t read the course syllabus. I learned this when I had problems with receiving assignments on time later in the semester. To make sure that students know what’s in the syllabus, one of my professors quizzes students on the syllabus content during the first week of class. The quiz doesn’t have to be worth much but should focus on key policies and important assignments that students need to know about. 

3. Take Complaints with a Grain of Salt

If you receive negative feedback, listen but don’t beat yourself up. Learn from it and grow as a TA. Figure out if there’s an issue that affects several students or if it’s an issue that affects one student. If it’s one student, address the concern one-on-one. If the problem seems more widespread, talk to your supervisor about different approaches you can take in your teaching.

4. Work Closely with Your Supervisor

The professor you're assisting is a great resource. When I began working with my supervisor, I never expected that I would develop such a good working relationship with her. She’s given me advice on my coursework and my career. She’s someone who I trust completely and her encouragement has been invaluable. This all stemmed from mutual understanding and respect established when I taught under her supervision.

5. Know the Material

Know the material you’re teaching inside and out. You’ll come off as more knowledgeable if you can answer questions on the spot. And if you don’t know the answer to something, it’s okay to tell your students you’ll look into it and get back to them in the next class.

6. Be Enthusiastic

If you’re interested in the material (and teaching it), this will show. Tell students why the problem you’re working on is interesting or how scientists and thinkers use a concept. Connecting the material to the real world makes it much more engaging for your students.

These tips and resources should help give you a strong start to the new semester. Being a TA can be very rewarding. Remember to enjoy learning along with your students. They always teach you something new and can help you see material in a new light. This will make the semester far more enjoyable for everyone.

Beyond the Blog

  • Thinking of becoming a Teaching Assistant? Find out more information here

Author

Kandice Pardy

SFU Student Graduate
Health Sciences › Global Health
Work-Study
visibility  156
Apr 30, 2021

Posts by Author

Aerial view of students walking across pond in the Academic Quadrangle during convocation
Blog
Applying to Grad School? I Wish You Had Come Sooner

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.” This Chinese proverb inspired Kandice, a Public Health Graduate student, to share her tips on applying to grad school. Read Kandice's article to learn why you should start the process today!

Person staring at laptop in deep thought or consideration
Blog
Applying to Grad School and the Conflicting Advice That Follows

In this article, Kandice explains the frustrating process of grad school applications, and the conflicting advice that inevitably surrounds it. However, there is a key take-away when applying to grad school: Read her article to find out what it is!

Isabelle and Elisabeth in Nepal
Blog
Providing Free Healthcare to Those in Need

On placement with Partnership for Sustainable Development in Kathmandu, Nepal, Health Sciences students Isabelle and Elisabeth decided to extend their contribution to a community in need and enrich their learning experience, by raising resources for a Free Health Camp.

You Might Like These... Professional Development, Graduate Students

SFU graduation
Applying to Graduate School: A Students Guide

Someone once said that you should write about what you know. So when I was asked by one of the Peer Education Coordinators to write a career-related blog for their website, I felt compelled to write about the process of applying for graduate school, as I am currently applying for several schools myself.

Ryan Schmidt
Treaty Negotiations with INAC

Being an arts and social sciences student means having a vast variety of career options open to us. One of them being a treaty negotiator at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC)! Read Ryan's blog to find out more about what this position entails. 

Autumn staring out into the distance, with a view of Peruvian mountains in the background
Scholarly Adventures in Peru

Q  & A's with Autumn Mochinski, a student who participated in a funded  international placement with the PAHO/ WHO to prepare an assessment of social  determinants and health and Tuberculosis in Lima, Peru.

You Might Like These... Co-op Reflections

Build Direct Company
How Co-op at BuildDirect Influenced My Career

This blog is about my wonderful co-op experience at BuildDirect and how it influenced my career in Canada. I discuss the work culture at BuildDirect, the type of work I have done and the technologies used. If you are planning to do a co-op with BuildDirect, this is definitely going to help you.

Person staring at laptop in deep thought or consideration
Applying to Grad School and the Conflicting Advice That Follows

In this article, Kandice explains the frustrating process of grad school applications, and the conflicting advice that inevitably surrounds it. However, there is a key take-away when applying to grad school: Read her article to find out what it is!

Ka Yiu Cheng
How to Cope with Graduation Anxiety

Ka Yiu Cheng shares her tips on how to cope with the stress that comes with graduating university and entering the "real world."