Your GTA Resource Hub

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., Communication Studies; English; and French, Francophone & Italian Studies), only the Policy Tutorial and departmental training are required. 

The Fall 2026 New GTA Orientation Conference will take place in-person in Budig Hall on Monday, August 17th, 2026, 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 session descriptions, and materials—will be shared via KU email once the New GTA Orientation Canvas course opens on August 3rd. Please check your email regularly and review the Canvas course materials in advance.

Other Deadlines for Spring Orientation

Essential Modules
Must be completed by 9:00 AM CT on August 17th (prior to the start of the in-person orientation).

Policy Tutorial and Breakout Modules
Must be completed by end of day on August 23rd (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.

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 2026 deadline: All orientation requirements must be completed by Sunday, June 7 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.

As part of the New GTA Orientation hosted by the Center for Teaching Excellence, the materials linked below address topics related to classroom communication, non-discrimination, and navigating social and cultural differences in higher education. These materials are designed to help new instructors build respectful, effective learning environments.

Download: [Fall 2025 Orientation Materials on Respectful Teaching & Classroom Dialogue (PDF)]

These resources were created for educational purposes and reviewed in collaboration with the Office of Audit, Risk, and Compliance. 

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.