Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA)

Application Deadline: July 25, 2025

Position Description

Fall 2025: Writing 2130F
Building Better (Communication) Bridges: Rhetoric and Professional Communication for Engineers

NB: There are five TA positions available for the Fall 2025 term in Writing 2130F. The course and tutorials are entirely online and asynchronous.

Applicants may not be hired by Western as a GTA or instructor in any other course/program for the Fall term and must be enrolled full-time for the duration of the term. Your grad chair must also sign off on this position.

This course introduces students to rhetorical principles and the practices of written, oral, and visual communication in professional engineering contexts. Particular attention is paid to identifying and understanding audience, context, and purpose; the grammar and effective style of Standard Written English; modes of persuasion; interpersonal communication; the negotiation of cultural difference; and effective scholarly research practices. Students will learn strategies for drafting and designing technical and academic documents and for approaching the editing and revision of those documents. As well, they will gain experience in organizing research effectively for presentation, composing clear and useful visual aids, and presenting research to their peers and the broader public with confidence.

Qualified applicants must possess the following qualities:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of the grammar and conventions of Standard Written English
• Organizational ability
• Professional work ethic
• Time management skills
• Resourcefulness

TAs for this course will be expected to manage a two-hour tutorial every week and other assigned TA duties (such as office hours and marking). This is an excellent opportunity for graduate students who plan to pursue a career in teaching or communication after graduation.

Please submit a current résumé or CV and a one-page statement outlining your interests in teaching this course and the skills and experiences you could bring to the position.

Submit application materials (CV/résumé and statement) and direct queries to:
Dr. M. Bassnett
Director, Writing Studies
Department of English and Writing Studies
University College
m.bassnett@uwo.ca

Successful candidates will be notified shortly after the deadline.

The Lead TA Program supports the professional development of teaching assistants at Western University by offering graduate students the opportunity to extend their teaching and leadership skills beyond traditional TA responsibilities.

Each year, three (3) Lead TAs are selected to enhance TA development across campus. Their responsibilities include providing wayfinding to connect TAs to relevant resources on campus, developing TA resources, and providing direct peer support. Lead TAs will serve as mentors, coaches, and liaisons for fellow teaching assistants, fostering a community of practice that enhances the teaching and learning environment at Western.

Lead TAs will be expected to work five (5) hours per week from November 3, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Successful applicants who already hold a departmental TA appointment during this period may hold both roles, provided total hours do not exceed the maximum allowable. If combined appointments exceed the limit, SGPS will coordinate with departments to adjust the original TA assignment.

Program Benefits

• Joint supervision and mentorship from the Centre for Teaching and Learning and Student Experience
• Ongoing professional development support from both CTL and Student Experience
• Valuable leadership experience in teaching development and educational mentorship

Eligibility Requirements

• Currently enrolled as a graduate student at Western during the employment period (including graduate students beyond their funding eligibility period e.g. year X)
• Minimum of two (2) years (four semesters) of TA or equivalent teaching experience (preferably at Western)
• Previous direct student-facing TA experience (e.g., facilitating labs or tutorials)

Recommended Qualifications

• Active engagement in professional development in teaching (e.g., CTL programs like TATP, TCC, ATP, GS 9500, or equivalent from another institution)
• Related educational background (e.g., discipline-specific teaching/conference experience, or a B.Ed.)
• Experience facilitating teaching development or training
• Strong presentation, facilitation, and communication skills
• Familiarity with Western’s student services and learning resources
• Experience in peer mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration
• Understanding of TA development needs
• Willingness to engage in self-reflection and set professional goals
• Demonstrated commitment to student learning and collaborative work
• Proficiency with PowerPoint and Brightspace
• Effective time management and ability to engage diverse audiences

How to Apply

Email your Graduate Chair with the following application materials compiled into one PDF by September 5, 2025.

Application Materials

Your PDF should include:

1. Cover letter
2. Teaching Philosophy (max 1 page, single-spaced)
3. Curriculum Vitae (CV), including:
   • Expected graduation date
   • List of all teaching workshops attended
   • List of all TA assignments undertaken at Western
   • All relevant teaching experience

Timeline

• Interviews will take place in late September to early October
• Successful candidates will be notified by October 15, 2025

Further Information

For questions about the Lead TA Program, please contact:

Jennifer Davila
Director of Administration, SGPS
jdavila3@uwo.ca

The Teaching Assistant Training Program is a hands-on, two-and-a-half- day session taught by current Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) and designed for new GTAs embarking on their teaching careers. Learn about fair grading practices, diversity in the classroom, lecturing, and giving students feedback on written work. Choose from concurrent sessions designed to meet your specific discipline-related teaching needs. Get real-time, hands-on teaching experience in our unique micro-teaching sessions, where you can try out your teaching skills and techniques with a small group of your peers and receive helpful, constructive feedback. At the end of the session, you’ll receive a certificate as evidence of your commitment to the development of your knowledge and skill as a teacher.

For more information: http://www.uwo.ca/tsc/graduate_student_programs/tatp.html