Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) are vital to the teaching mission at the University of Kansas, serving as instructors who shape the learning experiences of countless students. To ensure you’re fully prepared for this important role, all new GTAs are required to complete the mandatory New GTA Orientation, offered by the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) or an approved alternative provided by your department.

The CTE-led New GTA Orientation is designed to equip you with the essential tools and knowledge you need to succeed as an instructor at KU. This comprehensive training is divided into three key components:

1. New GTA Policy Tutorial
   Familiarizes you with KU's teaching policies and practices.
2. New GTA Conference Modules and Sessions
   Provides an introduction to best teaching practices through synchronous sessions and asynchronous modules.
3. New GTA Follow-up Session
   Offers an opportunity to reflect on your teaching experiences and further develop your instructional strategies.

New GTAs must complete this training within their first semester of teaching. The CTE Conference, a central part of the orientation, consists of two synchronous sessions held the week before classes start and five asynchronous modules available through Canvas. These modules are designed to provide you with both a broad overview and specialized insights tailored to your specific teaching role.

For those in departments with an approved alternative orientation (e.g., Chemistry; Communication Studies; English; French, Francophone & Italian Studies; and Physics & Astronomy), only the Policy Tutorial and departmental training are required. 

New GTAs beginning their appointment in the summer are expected to complete orientation prior to the start of their teaching assignment. While we do not offer a separate summer orientation, these GTAs can complete the Spring GTA Orientation asynchronously through our Canvas course. 

If you are onboarding a GTA for the summer, please send their KU email or student ID to Kaila Colyott (KColyott@ku.edu). They will be enrolled in the Spring course and receive instructions for completing the required modules.

Summer 2025 deadline: All orientation requirements must be completed by Sunday, June 1 at 11:59 PM (prior to the first day of classes). To allow adequate time for completion, we recommend starting the course at least two weeks prior to this deadline.

The Fall 2025 New GTA Orientation Conference will take place in person on Monday, August 11th, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 3:15 PM. Attendance is mandatory for all new Graduate Teaching Assistants. This full-day event is designed to prepare GTAs for their teaching responsibilities and to connect them with key resources and support networks at KU.

Additional details—including location, session descriptions, and materials—will be shared via KU email once the New GTA Orientation Canvas course opens on August 4th. Please check your email regularly and review the Canvas course materials in advance.

Other Deadlines for Fall Orientation

Essential Modules
Must be completed by 9:00 AM CT on August 11th (prior to the start of the in-person event).

Policy Tutorial and Breakout Modules
Must be completed by end of day on August 17th (before the first day of classes).

Follow-Up Session

In addition to the orientation conference and online modules, all new GTAs are required to complete a one-hour follow-up session later in the semester.

• You’ll receive a Qualtrics link via email to sign up when registration is available.
• Follow-up sessions will take place between September 8th and October 10th.

As part of the Fall 2024 New GTA Orientation hosted by the Center for Teaching Excellence, we have included materials that address critical topics such as non-discrimination, diversity, equity, inclusion, race, ethnicity, sex, and bias. We provide these materials to comply with Kansas House Bill 2105, which mandates publication requirements for diversity, non-discrimination, and related training materials.

For your convenience, you can access the full training PDF, which covers these essential topics, by clicking the link below:

Download the Fall 2024 New GTA Orientation Materials on Non-Discrimination, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

This document contains valuable information and guidelines that are crucial for creating an inclusive and respectful learning environment at KU. We encourage you to review these materials thoroughly to support your teaching practices and to ensure that your classroom is welcoming and equitable for all students.

This page offers a condensed overview and direct links to essential teaching policies and practices for KU instructors, specifically designed for Graduate Teaching Assistants. Drawing on insights from discussions with new instructors, these resources address common teaching scenarios and provide guidance on policy-compliant responses. We aim to provide a valuable reference for your role as an instructor and community member at the university. For comprehensive policy details, please visit the Teaching-related Policies and Practices page. 

Fridays on Fourth is a collaborative initiative between KU's Libraries, Writing Center, Office of Graduate Studies, and the Center for Teaching Excellence. Every Friday, from 10 AM to 4 PM, join us at Watson Library’s Graduate Student Study Lounge (Room 410) and throughout the fourth floor for research, write-ins, workshops, and Graduate Student Hours. This program offers a dedicated space and time for graduate students to engage in academic and professional activities. Visit the Fridays on Fourth webpage for more information.

Graduate Student Hours [Fridays 1-3]

These designated times allow you to:

• Ask specific questions or seek advice from experts in writing, research, and teaching.
• Receive tailored support for your academic and professional needs.
• Network and build connections across campus.

Join CTE's Kaila Colyott for Graduate Student Hours on Teaching

• February 28: 1-3 PM
• March 28: 1-3 PM
• April 18: 1-3 PM

I’d be happy to discuss your teaching challenges and successes, academic job market preparation, career options beyond academia, navigating graduate school as a first-gen student, and more.

I look forward to meeting you!

Transform your teaching experience into compelling job market materials through this comprehensive workshop series. Using backward design principles, we’ll help you develop materials that tell a cohesive story about your teaching identity and effectiveness. You can attend individual sessions or participate in the full series—each workshop builds on previous concepts while remaining accessible to new participants.

Session Details

Topic 1: Using Backward Design to Craft Your Teaching Materials

Learn how backward design principles can strengthen both your teaching and your job market materials. Through guided activities, you’ll identify your core teaching values and begin mapping your teaching narrative.

• Zoom Workshop: Tuesday, February 18, 10:30 AM–12:00 PM
• In-Person Discussion: Tuesday, February 25, 1:00–2:30 PM

Topic 2: Crafting Your Teaching Statement

Develop a compelling teaching statement that clearly articulates your teaching philosophy and practices. As a bonus, attend a structured peer feedback session to refine your draft.

• Zoom Workshop: Tuesday, March 4, 10:30 AM–12:00 PM
• In-Person Discussion: Tuesday, March 11, 1:00–2:30 PM
• Zoom Peer Review Session: Tuesday, March 25, 10:30 AM–12:00 PM

Topic 3: Building Your Teaching Portfolio

Learn how to select and frame teaching materials that provide evidence for your teaching statement claims. We’ll explore how syllabi, assignments, and student feedback can strengthen your portfolio.

• Zoom Workshop: Tuesday, April 1, 10:30 AM–12:00 PM
• In-Person Discussion: Tuesday, April 8, 1:00–2:30 PM

Topic 4: Preparing and Practicing Teaching Demonstrations

Convert your written materials into effective teaching demonstrations. We’ll cover preparation strategies and provide practice opportunities with structured feedback.

• Zoom Workshop: Tuesday, April 15, 10:30 AM–12:00 PM
• In-Person Discussion: Tuesday, April 22, 1:00–2:30 PM
• Practice Sessions: Tuesday, April 29
  • Zoom Session: 10:30 AM–12:00 PM
  • In-Person Session: 1:00–2:30 PM

Registration & Format

Choose the format that best fits your needs:

• In-Person Discussions: Interactive and flexible with group activities and immediate feedback.
• Zoom Workshops: Structured workshops with guided discussions and dedicated time for reflection.

You can register for individual sessions or attend the full series. No preparation is required—just bring your ideas!

• In-Person Capacity: 20 participants
• Registration Deadlines:
  • 24 hours before Zoom sessions
  • 48 hours before in-person sessions

📌 Click here to register for one or more workshops

One-on-One Consultations

Need personalized advice? Schedule a 30-minute consultation to discuss your materials in depth. Whether you need help refining your teaching statement or preparing for a teaching demonstration, we’re here to provide tailored feedback and guidance.

📌 Click here to schedule a consultation

Coming Soon!

We’re currently planning our Spring 2025 GTA workshop series and would love your input! These workshops will provide practical strategies and interactive discussions to support your teaching and professional development as a GTA.

📢 Have a topic in mind? If there’s a specific challenge you’d like to explore or a teaching skill you want to develop, let us know! Your feedback helps us create workshops that are most relevant and useful to you.

🔹 Past topics have included:

• Encouraging student engagement in discussions
• Designing fair and effective assessments
• Managing challenging classroom situations
• Time-saving grading strategies
• Teaching with AI

📌 Stay tuned for more details on upcoming workshops! In the meantime, share your ideas with us by providing your feedback here.

CTE staff members are available to consult with graduate students on any topics related to teaching and learning.

Classroom Practice

We are happy to meet with you about specific situations that arise in your class, whether you would like to learn more about lesson planning, discussion leading, classroom dynamics, or need support with particular challenges.

👉 Book a 30-minute appointment with Kaila

Teaching and the Job Market

If you are preparing for the academic job market, we offer consultations on:

• Teaching statements
• Diversity statements
• Teaching portfolios
• Teaching demonstrations

👉 Book a 30-minute appointment with Kaila

If you have questions outside of these topics or aren’t sure who to meet with, feel free to 📧 Email Kaila Colyott at KColyott@KU.edu, who will be happy to either assist you directly or connect you with the right person.