Graduate Teaching Assistant Preparation (GTAP)

Pedagogy Workshops

• August 27, 2026, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm (ET) - IN PERSON
• STEM Teaching Learning Facility (642 Red Cedar Rd)

Attendees will learn pedagogical practices relevant to effectively teaching students in various disciplines and they will learn to use various tools for successfully engaging students in their learning. 

Some of these workshops will count toward the completion of the Certification in College Teaching.

Participants will be able to:

• Identify evidence-based best practices in teaching and learning.
• Practice methods that can be immediately applied in the classroom or in specific roles as educators.
• Use tools to be more effective in preparing for teaching, grading, leading recitations and communicating expectations to students.

There will be 8 workshops, and GTAs can pick up to four of these. The delivery is in person, but GTAs will be required to complete corresponding modules on D2L.

Pedagogy Workshop Descriptions

Information for registering for individual workshops will be provided in August.

Agenda

New GTA Institute

• August 20, 2026, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (ET) - VIA ZOOM

In these virtual sessions, new graduate teaching assistants will engage with information necessary to successfully start teaching undergraduate students.

New GTAs will be able to:

• Identify ways of how to best address various learner differences including identities and experiences to help foster student success.
• Discuss strategies to successfully run their classrooms, their recitation sessions, their work as graders or homeroom tutors.
• Provide procedures to address policy related issues in their individual roles as GTAs.
• Find solutions to student scenarios they may encounter in their GTA role.
• Connect with graduate students to discuss engagement opportunities.

Agenda

Spring GTA Preparation Sessions

The following sessions take place each January before classes start and are designed to help prepare Graduate Teaching Assistants for their roles as educators. Registration is required to attend each event.

• GTA Roles: What to Expect
• Academic Integrity and Teaching Responsibility in the College Classroom
• Responding to Student Challenges as Instructors
• Learning and Assessment
• Using D2L for Effective Instruction

International GTA Orientation

• August 19, 2026, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm (ET) – IN PERSON
• STEM Teaching Learning Facility (642 Red Cedar Rd) Room 2130 

Familiarize International Graduate Teaching Assistants with cultural differences in living, teaching, and learning in the U.S. as compared to their home countries. 

They will have the opportunity to interact with current International Graduate Teaching Assistants regarding navigating life, procedures. They will also be introduced to valuable resources.

International Graduate Teaching Assistants will be able to:

• Describe how their home culture differs from the U.S. culture.
• Compare and contrast how teaching in the U.S. differs to their experience in their home countries.
• Articulate questions pertaining to navigating life, procedures, and resources in East Lansing and at MSU.
• Acquaint themselves with services to help with adjustment to their new environment and role.

Agenda