Resource Teaching Assistant

Resource TA Program Overview

The Resource Teaching Assistants (RTAs) are a team of experienced graduate students dedicated to strengthening resource access, peer support, and community building for Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) at Western University. 

This role was created in late 2025 to provide graduate students with consistent, approachable, and interdisciplinary support that complements existing resources across campus and enhances GTA connectivity. RTAs work collaboratively with GTAs at Western—in connection with existing roles, resources, and programming—to clarify GTA role expectations, facilitate access to teaching and learning supports, and help GTAs navigate their diverse roles and experiences as TAs, researchers, and students. 

The three primary roles of the RTA team are the following: 

1. Wayfinding to GTA / GTA-relevant resources across campus. 
2. Developing resources that address common GTA questions, concerns, and needs. 
3. Building and nurturing community among GTAs. 

This program is a collaboration between the Centre for Teaching and Learning, Student Experience, and the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.  

2026 - 2027 RTA Team

Kardelen Kuçuk (Philosophy): Kardelen (she/her) is a PhD Candidate in Philosophy. Her work relates to philosophy of science, cognitive science, and psychiatry. She has a special interest in teaching, particularly in developing resources for international students and accessible learning environments. 

Cynthia Lam (Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies): Cynthia Lam is a PhD Candidate in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies at Western University, where she explores in her doctoral project how women, queers, and nature connect through story(re)telling. Teaching has been at the heart of her work for years: she has led tutorials and lectures in Hong Kong and Canada, helped build online courses, and organized conferences and hands-on workshops. She’s especially interested in making classrooms feel welcoming and bringing inclusivity into learning. As a Resource TA, she’s here to listen, share what’s worked for her, and help fellow GTAs find the support and community they need.

Ehsan Ur Rahman Mohammed (Computer Science): Ehsan Ur Rahman Mohammed is a PhD student in Computer Science, he researches brain-inspired robust vision models. Beyond research, he is passionate about teaching, educational development, and creating inclusive, reflective learning communities. His experience spans teaching computer science, mentoring students, facilitating workshops, and advocating for graduate educators through national and campus leadership roles. His interests include the scholarship of teaching and learning, sustainability education, and the intersections of technology, philosophy, and society. As a Resource TA, Ehsan hopes to foster meaningful conversations, connect peers with resources, and support graduate students across disciplines as learners, educators, researchers, and changemakers.

Available Supports

The Resource TA team offers a range of supports designed to meet GTAs where they are on their own teaching journeys. Through informal conversations and resource navigation, they can work with GTAs on the following: 

• Peer support for communicating effectively with your GTA supervisor and students 

• Strategies for managing classroom challenges with fellow GTAs 

• Clarification of foundational roles and expectations as a GTA 

• Tips for time management and academic planning 

• Support developing problem‑solving approaches and academic confidence 

• Drop‑in hours for quick questions or check‑ins 

• Small‑group sessions for collaborative learning 

• Direction to relevant campus services, academic tools, and program supports and resources 
• Identification of resources that best fit GTA needs 

Fall 2026 Programming

Companion Sessions to Future Prof Workshops

Companion sessions are opportunities for additional exploration of topics covered in selected Future Prof workshops at the Centre for Teaching and Learning. These sessions are led by one or more members of the Resource TA team, who are all graduate students from across disciplines with extensive Graduate TA experience. Together with your RTA facilitator(s), you will have the opportunity to engage in conversation and/or to practice the approaches and strategies covered in the Future Prof workshop. 
 
Please note that these sessions are not eligible for Future Prof credit towards the Western Certificate in University Teaching and Learning. 

Companion Session: Accessible PowerPoint Slides 
October 26, 12:00 – 1:00 PM (in-person, Weldon Library 252)

Register

Companion Session: Teaching Dossiers I 
November 3, 1:00 – 2:00 PM  (in-person, Weldon Library 252)

Register

Companion Session: Linguistic Justice & Global Englishes 
November 30, 2:00 – 3:00 PM  (in-person, Weldon Library 252)

Register

Teaching Cafes

Teaching Cafes are lightly-facilitated opportunities to gather with the Resource TA team and Graduate Teaching Assistants from across campus to check in, socialize, and chat about how your teaching is going. Light snacks will also be provided.

Teaching Cafe: Career Readiness (October 29, 12:00 - 1:30 pm, Weldon 252)

Teaching Cafe: Being a Change-Maker (November 12, 12:00 - 1:30 pm, Weldon 252)

Teaching Cafe: Marking Strategies (December 3, 12:00 - 1:30 pm, Weldon 252)

How to Connect

Contact Information: ResourceTA@uwo.ca  

Students can reach the Resource TA team in several ways:

• Email Support: Send questions or concerns to the RTA team inbox for timely guidance 

• Information and Community Gathering Sessions: Attend scheduled events throughout the term 

• One‑to-One Meetings: Book a meeting for personalized support 

• Teaching Cafés: Informal, TA-driven gathering where graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) can gather in community 
• Additional programming that builds on graduate programming at CTL and Student Experience