Teaching as a Graduate Student

Teaching as a Graduate Student (TAGS) is the CTE’s orientation for new teaching assistants. TAGS provides an overview of equity-informed and learning-centered teaching and helps participants apply these ideas in contexts most applicable to TAs. Student teaching looks different across the range of UVA’s schools and departments, so TAGS focuses on foundational principles that are relevant across contexts. The material is designed primarily for those new to teaching, though experienced TAs may also find TAGS useful and valuable. While the majority of TAGS participants are graduate students, undergraduates in teaching assistant roles, as well as postdocs looking for teaching support, are also welcome.

Topics include:

• Creating equity-informed and inclusive learning environments
• Principles of learning-centered teaching
• Supporting students’ success
• Teaching the first day of class
• Facilitating effective classroom discussions
• Approaching feedback and grading effectively and efficiently

How it Works

TAGS is a hybrid learning experience. Participants will engage with the majority of the content in asynchronous online modules, followed by attending an interactive, 90-minute workshop. The workshops are offered twice a year, in August and January.

Our next interactive sessions are scheduled for Thursday, August 21, 2025 in Nau and Gibson Halls. For participants unable to attend in person, there will be an online option. During these 90-minute sessions, small groups of new TAs meet with an experienced facilitator to discuss the online material, ask questions, and plan effective approaches to common teaching scenarios. Multiple "sections" of the interactive session will be offered.

Registration will open in early July. When registering, participants should choose to attend either the morning or afternoon time slot and can indicate their availability for an in-person or online session. For those joining us in person, lunch will be provided.

The schedule is as follows:

• 10:00-11:30 AM: Interactive sessions, time slot 1
• 11:45 AM-12:45 PM: UVA Acts performance (in person only)
• 12:45-1:15 PM: Lunch (in person only)
• 1:30-3:00 PM: Interactive sessions, time slot 2

Participants in the live sessions should have previously completed the online modules, which they will be able to access beginning August 1. Please note that UVA login credentials are required to access the online material. The content remains available to everyone, regardless of their ability to attend the live sessions, but for full TAGS participation, we recommend both.

Please refer to the FAQs for additional information.