McGill.CA / Teaching and Learning Services (TLS) / For students / Learn to Teach

TA Training

Whether you are a first-time Teaching Assistant (TA) or experienced in the role, TLS offers pedagogical training that is designed to equip TAs with the skills and strategies needed to effectively support student learning at McGill. These sessions are offered biannually during the months of January and September and are open to all TAs in all disciplines. Students interested in developing their teaching skills may attend, but registration is prioritized for students actively employed in a TA position at McGill. 

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. 

No-show policy: Students who registered for an event and are absent without notice received 24 hours before the event are subject to a 25$ No-show fee. For more information, click here.

For questions about these workshops, learntoteach [at] mcgill.ca

Resources for Teaching Assistants: Important links and information

 

Register for TA Training workshops!

Programming

Navigating your role as a TA: Rights, responsibilities, and support

Teaching strategies: Designing lessons for engagement in learning

Assessment for learning: Effective grading and feedback strategies

Classroom management: Facilitating mutually supportive learning environments

Accessibility in the classroom: How to promote inclusivity 

Equity-centered classrooms: Fostering equitable and inclusive discussions

Upcoming workshops

Workshop descriptions

Navigating your role as a TA: Rights, responsibilities, and support 

Are you a new or returning TA? Offered collaboratively with AGSEM, this interactive session will provide a practical overview of your role, including your rights and responsibilities as a member of McGill’s teaching support staff. 

Learning outcomes: 

  • Explore the scope of your role and where to go for support when you need it

  • Identify some common challenges faced by TAs and how to navigate them

Teaching strategies: Designing lessons for engagement in learning 

Want to learn how to craft lessons that engage your 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 

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: 

  • Explore assessment in the McGill context 

  • Recognize how effective feedback facilitates students’ learning 

  • Identify strategies for effective and efficient grading 

Classroom management: Facilitating mutually supportive learning environments

Want to foster a classroom environment where collaboration and support are the norm? This workshop will help you set up a mutually respectful classroom, facilitate productive teamwork among your students, and address common classroom challenges. 

Learning outcomes: 

  • Define clear norms to support respectful and supportive teaching and learning environments 

  • Explore methods to facilitate productive collaboration in different instructional settings  

  • Describe strategies to address common issues arising in classroom situations 

Accessibility in the classroom: How to promote inclusivity 

Want to promote inclusivity in your classroom? This workshop will help you identify barriers for students with disabilities, enhance classroom accessibility, and leverage McGill’s resources to support every student’s success. 

Learning outcomes: 

  • Recognize barriers that students with disabilities experience in various instructional settings  

  • Identify opportunities to enhance accessibility within classroom teaching contexts 

  • Locate accessibility resources at McGill to support students’ success in courses 

Equity-centered classrooms: Fostering equitable and inclusive discussions 

Want to respect the diversity of voices and experiences in your classroom discussions? This workshop will help you explore and address power dynamics, support a space for equitable dialogue, and implement strategies for meaningful participation.  

Learning outcomes: 

  • Recognize obstacles to promoting equity in classroom teaching contexts 

  • Explore impacts of power and positionality in instructional settings 

  • Describe strategies to foster equitable classroom discussions

 

McGill University is on land which has served and continues to serve as a site of meeting and exchange amongst Indigenous peoples, including the Haudenosaunee and Anishinabeg nations. Teaching and Learning Services acknowledges and thanks the diverse Indigenous peoples whose footsteps mark this territory on which peoples of the world now gather. This land acknowledgement is shared as a starting point to provide context for further learning and action.

Back to top