Teaching Assistantships

Students in the MA CRW and PhD programs will typically receive teaching assistantships (TAships) as part of their program funding packages. PhD students are entitled to a first TAship appointment of at least 180 hours of work (amounting to approximately $8,200 in pay), typically split across two single-semester TAships, as well as a total of 5 subsequent appointments (which are required to be of at least as many hours as the initial appointment). Students may also choose to apply to additional TAships, including “emergency” postings and summer TAships, which do not count toward their entitlement.

Broadly speaking, TAships will involve some or all of the following kinds of work:

  • Marking: You will almost certainly be expected to grade and provide feedback on students’ essays, assignments, and exams. The grading standards and amount of feedback expected may vary from assignment to assignment and course to course.
  • Readings: You will typically be expected to keep up with (or at least skim) the course readings so as to effectively grade students’ papers and answer questions on the material.
  • Communication with Students: You will be expected to respond to students’ emails and inquiries in a timely and responsible manner, or to refer them to the professor in the event that you cannot answer their question. You may also be expected to hold (virtual or in-person) office hours or to meet with students one-on-one to discuss course materials and assignments.
  • Guest Lectures: You may have the opportunity to present a guest lecture during one of the weeks of your course. Typically the professor will ask if there is a particular topic or reading in which you are interested or experienced, but you may also have the option to discuss material from beyond the syllabus.
  • Tutorials: Some TAships will require the TA to lead weekly tutorials, typically for a group of 15-20 students. The level of structure provided by the professor will vary from course to course: in some cases you may be provided with specific exercises or discussion questions, while in others you may be given entirely free rein so long as you address the course topics and readings. In either case, tutorials represent a great opportunity to practice your pedagogy and gain more hands-on teaching experience, but they are generally only offered to third-year PhDs and above.

You may be assigned a TAship at any of the three university campuses (St. George, Mississauga, or Scarborough). See Getting Around for tips on commuting between campuses.

TAs are paid once a month (typically on the 28th or, if the 28th happens to fall on a weekend, on the preceding Friday) for the duration of your contract. You will receive a form with your letter of offer which will allow you to set up direct deposit of your wages. You only need to fill this form out once — if you have already set up direct deposit with U of T, they will have your information on record — except for your first TAship at a new campus, as each has a separate HR system. If, on the other hand, you prefer to receive your wages by cheque, it will be mailed to you around the 28th of the month. If you elect to be paid in this manner, please make sure that your mailing address is up to date on ACORN.

Training

As a TA, you will be required to undergo three hours of paid training run by the Department and the Teaching Assistants’ Training Program (TATP). These sessions are mandatory for new TAs only.

TATP also provides a number of online resources and guides to help improve your teaching, as well as two certificate programs. Note that the use of these resources or enrolment in these programs is entirely optional.

CUPE 3902

As a TA, you are automatically a member of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) local 3902, Unit 1, and are entitled to all the benefits and protections of the latest Collective Agreement, including the CUPE 3902 Health Plan and provisions like sick leave and parental leave. The union can help you to navigate any problems or grievances pertaining to your TAship or with general information on job requirements. You can find more detailed information about the union, including the current Collective Agreement, at the CUPE 3902 website.

CUPE 3902 is also represented within our department by a number of CUPE Stewards: grad students who serve as liaisons between the union and its members. You are encouraged to contact our current CUPE Stewards with any TA- or union-related questions or concerns you may have.