As finals week approaches, teaching assistants across the university are probably gearing up for long nights spent answering last-minute questions over e-mails and extra office hours.
However, they did have an opportunity to relax with free food and drinks last night at the Graduate Student Center, where the University honored 12 TAs for Excellence in Teaching.
The award is intended to honor TAs "whose teaching had a profound effect on both students and teaching at Penn," described Associate Provost Andy Binns.
In his speech at the event, Binns noted that the award is the only student-nominated and student-selected University-wide honor for teaching. Other TA awards are selected by faculty within specific departments.
Binns then introduced Penn President Amy Gutmann, who remarked on her personal experiences in graduate school and her respect for these TAs who were "able to ignite a spark in their students".
Of the 126 TAs nominated, 25 were selected to be finalists by the selection committee, which was composed of representatives from the Student Committee on Undergraduate Education, the Undergraduate Assembly and four recipients of the award from previous years.
The finalists then submitted a personal statement on their philosophy of education as well as a letter of support from a faculty member.
But for an award for undergraduate teaching, relatively few undergraduates attended the event.
However, Christopher MacDermaid, an Organic Chemistry Lab TA, did get some congratulatory visits from some of his students.
Regarding his popularity as a TA, he said, "Students generally appreciate good communication skills," such as quick responses over e-mail and availability to discuss material.
MacDermaid went above and beyond by spending informal time with his students outside of class. He said he keeps in touch with at least 50 percent of his former students.
He didn't want to take all the credit for himself, though. "I've always had a tremendous group of students," he said. "Whenever I pushed, they pushed back."
Jonathan Singer, a Material Sciences TA in the Engineering School, said one of the keys to success as a TA was to "stay excited about the material" he was teaching.
Singer actually took classes he did not enjoy as an undergraduate in order to improve the experience for other students.
Students will be happy to know that TAs like Singer and MacDermaid are considering careers as college professors. "The most important part of science is passing on the information you know," MacDermaid said.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.
