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Graduate Student Required Teacher Training

Congratulations on joining the wonderful educator community at UC Merced! We pride ourselves on delivering the best education to our vibrant student body. As part of your contract as a teaching assistant (TA) or teaching fellow (TF) you are required to participate in the following training. If you have questions or would like to schedule a 1-on-1 session to practice teaching please schedule a consultation with our pedagogy or academic technology team.

Teaching Assistant (TA) Orientation

Learning Outcomes 

  1. Identify strategies to promote equity and inclusion in the classroom.  
  2. Develop an awareness of the main roles and responsibilities of an instructor.  
  3. Reflect on teaching and learning concepts.  
  4. Recognize campus teaching partners, resources, and support systems. 

What are the details?

  1. All graduate students are required to complete TA Orientation.
    • TA Orientation is a 6-hour commitment
      • 3 hours in-person for an equity training
      • 3 hours online for basic teaching, policies, rights, and responsibilities on CatCourses
    • Training must be completed before starting your job as an instructor.
  2. TA Orientation is built into GROW Week before the start of the Fall and Spring semesters (see Graduate Division for more details).
  3. Postdocs are not required to take TA Orientation, however, if you are interested in the content, please get in touch with our staff for a private consultation. 

What are the details?

Teaching Fellow (TF) Orientation

Learning Outcomes 

  1. Select strategies that promote an inclusive student-centered learning environment.  
  2. Determine how to provide effective communication and feedback.  
  3. Discuss classroom management that supports provided course outcomes. 

What are the details?

  1. Teaching Fellows may be assigned to graduate students who have reached candidacy. 
  2. All graduate students who are assigned a Teaching Fellow position are required to take this 8-hour 2 half-day in-person training. 
    • All participants will have access to the materials through CatCourses
  3. TF Orientation is offered the week before courses begin in Fall, Spring, and Summer (3 times in Summer).
  4. Postdocs are not required to take TF Orientation, however, if you are interested in the content, please get in touch with our staff for a private consultation.