From August 15 to 17, the CFT hosted a three-day Teaching Assistant Orientation (TAO) to help prepare new Teaching Assistants for their new teaching duties that could include grading, consulting with students during office hours, leading a discussion or problem sessions, teaching labs, or giving lectures. This year, a total of 265 new TAs and postdocs participated in the TAO, where they explored evidence-based teaching practices, practical teaching skills, and knowledge needed to be effective in face-to-face and online learning settings.
Below are a few quotes from the participants:

“The TA Orientation helped to prepare me for my journey as a TA by providing me with the right material/skills. The resources that are necessary to succeed as a TA were thoroughly discussed. Overall, TAO helped teach me what to expect as a TA and how to create a welcoming environment.”

“TA Orientation gave me syllabus creation resources as well as methods to deal with complex topics and discussions as a TA.”