TA Day: Graduate Student Conference on Teaching

Description

TA Day has welcomed new graduate students to Western for over 30 years, introducing graduate students to teaching at Western and helping prepare them for their roles as teaching assistants.

This conference will be hosted online via Zoom. For interested registrants, the CTL is hosting an optional watch party in Weldon Library's new Scholars Lab. Details are included in the registration confirmation email.

As a follow-up to TA Day, we invite you to Breakfast with the CTL on September 19th. This is a great chance to connect with fellow graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, meet the CTL team, and learn more about teaching development opportunities, including workshops, communities of practice, and resources. You’ll also hear about programming from SGPS and Student Experience—all designed to support your journey as an educator and scholar. You do not need to have attended TA Day in order to join us.

Please note: This is an optional professional development event that does not count towards the Western Certificate in University Teaching and Learning.

TA Day Schedule: Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025 9:30AM-3:30PM

9:30AM to 10:00AM - Welcome

Welcoming Remarks, Land Acknowledgement & Accessibility Check

Delivered by the CTL TA Team.

10:00AM to 11:00AM - Concurrent Sessions A (Choose one)

A-1 Preparing for Your First Lab

What should I be doing before my first lab? How will I know what to say to my students? This introductory session will prepare new TAs to facilitate their first lab sessions.

OR

A-2 Preparing for Your First Tutorial

Should I be prepping material for my first tutorial? What is the difference between a tutorial and a lecture? How will I get students to participate? This introductory session will prepare new TAs to facilitate their first tutorials.

11:00AM to 11:15AM - Break

11:15AM to 12:15PM - Concurrent Sessions B (Choose One)

B-1 Strategies for Effective Student Feedback

What does good feedback look like? This session will focus on the components of effective feedback necessary for motivating students and fostering critical thinking skills.

OR

B-2 GenAI Guidelines for TAs

How do I navigate questions around generative AI? This interactive workshop will equip TAs with the knowledge and skills needed to support instructors in their chosen approach to AI use in their classes, and to effectively communicate and guide students in navigating those expectations.

12:15PM to 1:00PM - Lunch Break

1:00PM to 2:00PM - Keynote by Dr. Christina Booker

Thriving in Your TA Role: Reflecting on Your Growth and Impact

Portrait photo of Christina Booker smiling. White woman, long brown hair. Dr. Christina Booker is a teaching scholar and assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry at Western University and teaches in the Integrated Science program. She serves as vice-chair of the Chemistry Education Division, Chemical Institute of Canada. She is passionate about engaging students in their learning, building problem-solving skills, and fostering a sense of belonging for students in science. Hiking, biking, and reading with her family are some of Christina's favourite activities.

2:00PM to 2:15PM - Break

2:15PM to 3:15PM - Concurrent Sessions C (Choose One)

C-1 Engaging Students at the Beginning of the Course

How you start a course can set the tone for the entire term. This session introduces key evidence-based principles for TAs to build early engagement, encourage connection and set clear expectations as they design inclusive learning environments. Learn practical strategies to help you start strong and foster student motivation from day one!

OR

C-2 Communication in the Intercultural Classroom

Every Canadian classroom is the intercultural classroom and TAs (new and returning) have a vital role. Aimed at cultivating inclusive and globally aware learning environments, participants in this session will explore classroom facilitation techniques that foster diverse cultural perspectives, enrich academic discourse, enhance student engagement, and prepare learners for success in their disciplines.

3:15PM to 3:30PM - Closing Remarks

Delivered by the CTL TA Team.

Conference Information

Upcoming Conference

Fall 2026

Registration

Registration is open in Connect.

Registration Instructions

  1. Login to Western Connect using your Western username and password.
  2. Go to the Event Calendars section and select the Centre for Teaching and Learning calendar.
  3. Search for and select the event you wish to register in. Details and a description of the program will appear.
  4. Select the Register for this Event button.
  5. You will receive an automated confirmation email to your Western email account. 

If you have any questions or problems registering for this event, please consult our help guide or contact ctl@uwo.ca.

Offered

TA Day is held every year after Labour Day.

Audience

All graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.

Outcomes

By the end of the day, each student will be able to:

  • apply strategies for engaging undergraduate students and teaching effectively in their own disciplinary context
  • describe the roles and responsibilities of Teaching Assistants and identify the principles and policies that guide their work with students
  • find and recommend teaching and learning resources to students, such as writing and learning skills services, library resources, and wellness support
  • identify future teaching development opportunities that they can pursue throughout your graduate career at Western.

What to expect

  • You do not have to be a Teaching Assistant to attend TA Day. All incoming graduate students are welcome.
  • Sessions are interdisciplinary and led by experienced instructors.
  • Register to receive access to our OWL site where both synchronous sessions and asynchronous modules will be hosted.

You may also be interested in these programs:


Important campus resources for grad students

Testimonials from TA Day Participants

“It was great to have such diverse and informative sessions. The keynote speaker was the highlight of the day.”

“The presenters connected well with us in the audience and spoke about topics that I felt were of importance to everyone. Their speeches were humorous as well as educating and they touched on difficult subjects without oversimplifying them. I felt like a colleague getting advice rather than an unknowledgeable student in those moments, which reflects the position I am supposed to be in as a graduate student.”

“The sessions were very interesting because they provided new information (that would be difficult to find elsewhere) that was directly applicable our lives as TAs. The presenters were friendly, explained things clearly, and took the time to answer questions. Their advice was relevant and easy to follow.”