Winter 2025 TA Workshops-Full List

In this discussion group, we will explore the essential role of relationships in educational equity as detailed in Ch. 3 of the book “Relationship-Rich Education,” available for free from the library. Participants are encouraged to read the book chapter beforehand and discuss questions like how can we look at professional development with an equity lens? And what can we do to create and sustain a student-centered campus culture that prioritizes relationships at all levels?

A TA’s role during the section is formulating generative questions, structuring activities that check student understanding, and giving effective feedback. In this workshop, you will explore several classroom-based assessment and questioning techniques that are based on the principles of providing effective feedback.

Learn about Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and how TAs can recognize, critique, and minimize barriers to learning for their students. In this workshop, you will learn about the differences in human learning and the many ways we, as educators, can customize and adjust our teaching in response to maximize learning for all students.

TAs are responsible for creating, implementing, and evaluating assessments. But what makes a good assessment? How can we use assessment to support learning? And what are some reasonable ways to grade student work? In this workshop, you will use principles from evidence-centered design to make assessments more focused and impactful and help you with practical grading strategies.

Writing a Teaching Philosophy Statement can be challenging and is required for most teaching positions and awards. At the same time, examining and articulating your teaching philosophy can help you to become a more effective instructor. As a participant in this workshop, you will work through a series of exercises to help you reflect on your teaching. By the end of the workshop, you will have a draft outline of your teaching philosophy statement.
This workshop counts to obtain the Certificate in Inclusive Teaching (CIT).

The session will provide tips on writing the CCUT teaching portfolio, including structuring the portfolio, documenting student ratings, options for requirement 3, tone of narration, and more. Participants need to have completed at least two of the CCUT requirements.

Creating a compelling Diversity Statement can be daunting, but it is increasingly essential for most job applications and grants. Exploring and expressing your commitment to DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility) can bolster your professional portfolio and deepen your understanding of these essential values. In this workshop, participants will engage in guided activities to reflect on their commitment to DEIA and begin drafting their Diversity Statement.
This workshop counts to obtain the Certificate in Inclusive Teaching (CIT).

Students learn better when actively participating in the learning process rather than passively listening. In this workshop, you will differentiate between active and passive learning, identify elements that foster active learning, and apply various instructional methods.

Explore alternative grading practices that foster equity, engagement, and authentic learning. Based on the book Grading for Growth (2023), this in-person workshop will introduce strategies such as ungrading, specifications grading, and mastery-based assessment to help you create a more student-centered and inclusive approach to evaluation.

Creating lessons is essential, but how can we ensure those lessons are engaging for our students? In this workshop, you will use learning objective taxonomies and a lesson planning framework to design active, student-centered classes.

Teaching can bring unexpected challenges, from managing hostile students to supporting those dealing with emotional issues. This workshop offers strategies for setting boundaries, maintaining fairness, and balancing empathy with pragmatic decision-making. Participants will share experiences and collaboratively develop a practical approach to handle these situations confidently and carefully.

How well are your teaching strategies working? How can you get helpful, real-time feedback on your teaching? How will you respond when students have widely different perceptions of your teaching? In this workshop, you will evaluate different ways of reflecting on your teaching that help you grow as a TA.

What is a trauma-informed space, and why are these important for our campus community? This workshop considers these questions and how to use this knowledge to create trauma-informed classrooms, labs, offices, and other campus-based settings. We also discuss how to respond compassionately to disclosures of interpersonal violence.

Do you want to build professional skills while learning how to better support students in need? Join us for this training on Motivational Interviewing with Jackie Kurta, PsyD., LMFT., to help you engage in empathetic and collaborative conversations. Motivational interviewing is an approach designed to engage in non-judgemental and non-directive conversations with individuals experiencing behavior changes. As part of this workshop, you’ll learn how to help individuals understand themselves better and support students’ academic growth through targeted, empathetic dialogue.

Examine and refine your communication strategies with students throughout the quarter. You will learn to use an asset-based framework to draft weekly progress updates, assignment explanations, and post-exam debrief emails. Developing and implementing communication grounded in an asset-based framework can help students see how each assignment aligns with the course’s larger goals, fostering a more equitable and supportive learning environment.

Creating a compelling Diversity Statement can be daunting, but it is increasingly essential for most job applications and grants. Exploring and expressing your commitment to DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility) can bolster your professional portfolio and deepen your understanding of these essential values. In this workshop, participants will engage in guided activities to reflect on their commitment to DEIA and begin drafting their Diversity Statement.
This workshop counts to obtain the Certificate in Inclusive Teaching (CIT).

Bring your laptops and smartphones to this hands-on, in-person workshop on using generative AI for typical teaching and learning tasks.

In this discussion group, we will explore the essential role of relationships in educational equity as detailed in Ch. 2 of the book “Relationship-Rich Education,” available for free from the library. Participants are encouraged to read the book chapters beforehand and engage in conversations around questions such as: What barriers exist within institutions and classrooms that make relationship-rich education challenging, and how can we address them? How can inclusive course design account for these issues?

Setting boundaries inside and outside the classroom is becoming increasingly important to avoid burnout and help us navigate relationships with students more positively. In this interactive workshop, we will explore boundaries and how to implement practical tips to set boundaries and protect our well-being.

In this workshop, you will learn about this college student population and how to support neurodivergent students with autism and ADHD inside and outside your classroom. You will gain an understanding of neurodivergent students’ unique learning needs and how to adapt teaching strategies to remove barriers to learning. This session offers practical strategies for fostering an inclusive classroom that respects and accommodates neurodiversity, enhancing the educational experience for all students.

UCSB's Certificate in College and University Teaching (CCUT) program is designed for doctoral students who wish to demonstrate superior competence and experience in preparation for teaching at the university or college level. Official CCUT Certificates are issued by the Office of the Registrar and are noted on the student's transcript. Come learn about the new program updates and how to earn the certificate. Please note that the CCUT Certificate can only be awarded with a PhD or MFA degree.

Come learn about the diversity of UCSB’s undergraduate students and how to support them from a perspective of inclusivity. In this workshop, you will explore communication and classroom strategies that promote community and reflect on how your life experiences affect your interactions with undergraduates.

In this discussion group, we will explore the essential role of relationships in educational equity as detailed in the introduction and Ch. 1 of the book “Relationship-Rich Education,” available for free from the library. Participants are encouraged to read the book chapters beforehand and engage in conversations around questions such as: How can we create a genuine sense of welcome for all students, especially those from underrepresented groups? What role do relationships play in inspiring students to take ownership of their learning? How can we use relationships as a foundation for inclusive teaching practices that meet students’ diverse needs?