We are delighted to have Anik Bay and André Goldenberg as our Graduate Teaching Associates for this academic year. Anik is a doctoral candidate in Environmental Studies and her research area is in the critical understanding of human-animal relationships. André recently completed his Master's Degree in Anthropology at York, where he studied urban Aboriginal health and governance. He is currently in his first year at the Osgoode Hall Law School.

Together Anik and André have central responsibility for the University Teaching Practicum (see sidebar) and related teaching development activities for graduate students. They jointly plan and organize all Practicum-related workshops, coordinate specific programs within the Practicum, and consult with TAs about their teaching. If you have questions about teaching, TA professional development, classroom environment and other related issues, don't hesitate to contact Anik and André at gta@yorku.ca.

To help graduate students complete the requirements of the Practicum, the CST Graduate Teaching Associates coordinate the following programs:

TA Workshops

TA development workshops are held throughout the academic year, and are designed to provide TAs with foundational information on a range of teaching-related issues as part of the Practicum curriculum. The workshops are not discipline-specific so as to be accessible to all TAs irrespective of their specialty.

The TA Resource Group (TARG)

TARG is a peer-support and resource group of TAs that meets monthly to discuss common teaching and learning issues. TARG meetings serve as a forum where TAs can share experiences, solicit and provide support and advice, and develop helpful strategies to deal with specific problems. Meetings are open to all TAs at all levels of experience from any university Faculty and department.

Teaching Development Graduate Assistant (TDGA) Program

The TDGA Programme complements the university-wide teaching development events by offering opportunities for graduate students to reflect on university teaching, theory and practice from the perspective of their own disciplinary training and requirements. TDGAs in departments across campus organize activities that assist TAs in their work and allow Practicum participants to fulfill the disciplinary-specific study requirements.

TA DAY 2002

Planning for the 20th annual TA Day is currently underway and it will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2002. This is a wonderful opportunity for TAs at all levels of experience to participate in a full day of activities designed to make their teaching experience interesting, enjoyable and rewarding. There are many opportunities for graduate student involvement in the planning process. Contact gta@yorku.ca for more information!