Develop your teaching skills with pedagogical training designed to support teaching assistants (TAs) in fostering effective student learning at McGill.
Workshops will be offered in January 2026 and are open to TAs from all disciplines, whether new or experienced. Students interested in teaching development are also welcome to participate; however, priority registration is given to those currently employed as TAs at McGill.
Workshop dates and descriptions
Jan. 14, 3:00 - 4:30pm (in person) | Classroom management: Facilitating mutually supportive learning environments
Want to foster a classroom environment where there’s respect for the diversity of voices and experiences in your classroom, and where collaboration and support are the norm? This workshop will help you set up a mutually supportive classroom, facilitate equitable and productive collaboration among your students, and address potentially difficult classroom situations.
Learning outcomes:
- Define norms to support respectful and supportive teaching and learning environments
- Explore approaches to facilitate equitable, productive collaboration in different instructional settings
- Describe strategies to address potentially difficult situations that may arise in the classroom
Please note, space is limited for in-person workshops
Jan. 22, 2:30 - 4:00pm (in person) | Teaching strategies: Designing lessons for engagement in learning
Want to learn how to craft lessons that engage students? This workshop will address the importance of learning outcomes, help you discover teaching strategies, and get you started planning effective lessons.
Learning outcomes:
- Recognize the role of learning outcomes for productive and meaningful lessons
- Identify a range of teaching strategies to facilitate student engagement in learning
- Articulate first steps toward lesson planning
Please note, space is limited for in-person workshops.
Jan. 27, 5:30 - 7:00pm (online) | Assessment for learning: Effective grading and feedback strategies
Want grading and feedback to be a powerful learning tool for your students? This workshop will help you understand assessment at McGill, learn how to give feedback to support learning, and find efficient grading techniques.
Learning outcomes:
- Describe assessment in the McGill context
- Recognize how effective feedback facilitates students’ learning
- Identify strategies for effective and efficient grading
Payment for first-time TAs
As per section 13.06.02 of the Collective Agreement between McGill University and the Association of Graduate Students Employed at McGill (AGSEM), first-time TAs are eligible to be paid the regular hourly rate for participating in up to three hours of training. This payment will be issued automatically to eligible TAs later in the term once training is completed.
Registration policy
There are no fees associated with participating in TA Training sessions. However, registering for an event is a commitment to attend. If you can no longer attend, make sure to cancel your registration.
Resources for TAs
Find links to important information and resources for teaching assistants at McGill:
Get ready: Teaching Assistant (TA) checklist
Outlines key tasks and considerations for the start of term and beyond.
Teaching support resources for TA success
A curated collection of resources to help you navigate your responsibilities with confidence.
myCourses Essentials
Familiarize yourself with key features available in McGill’s learning management system.
(Self-paced learning module - in myCourses)
