Apply now to be a peer TA for ENVIR 100 for winter quarter
Interested in Teaching? Love Environmental Studies?
ENVIR 100 is now accepting peer TA applications for Winter Quarter!!!
POSITION DETAILS:
Program on the Environment seeks three enthusiastic undergraduate students to work as peer TAs in Environmental Studies 100: Interdisciplinary Foundations. This is an exceptional opportunity! Peer TAs are mentored by faculty, lead their own discussion section, get great teaching experience, and earn credit towards their degree. This opportunity is especially valuable for students interested in environmental education or applying to graduate school.
The total time commitment is approximately 15 hours per week. As a Peer TA, you are responsible for attending the lecture for ENVIR 100 (3 hours per week), attending a weekly instructor meeting (approximately 1 hour per week), and leading one discussion section (2 hours per week). Additional tasks include: preparing for your discussion section; meeting with students during office hours; providing extra help or leading review sessions; and grading.
Peer TAs will earn academic credit (1-5 credits, variable, of ENVIR 498, graded).
- Course Instructors: Kristi Straus (PoE) and Jason Scullion (PoE)
- Lecture Schedule:MWF 9:30-10:20
- Discussion Sections: T or TH, various times
APPLICATION LOGISTICS:
To apply, please submit the following:
- Resume
- Unofficial copy of your UW transcript (transfer transcripts not necessary)
- Brief statement of intent answering the following questions (no longer than 2 pages):
- Why are you interested in being a peer TA for ENVIR 100?
- What unique abilities or experiences would you bring to this position?
- How does your knowledge of or experience with teaching or environmental studies qualify you to be a peer T.A.?
Paper applications can be submitted to the PoE advisers in ACC 012. Electronic materials may be submitted via e-mail to jkob@uw.edu.
Positions are open until filled. All applications submitted by Friday, November 1st at 5:00 PM will receive full consideration.
*Priority will be given to students who meet the following requirements:
- Completion or current registration in BIOL 492: Teaching of Biology
- Completion of ENVIR 100 with a minimum grade of 3.0
- Environmental Studies (Program on the Environment) majors or minors
- At least Junior level standing
**Credits earned for being a peer TA can be applied to one of the following requirements for the major in Environmental Studies:
- Policy and Decision-making perspectives
- Departmental Honors requirement of ENVIR 497/498 (substitutes for both requirements)
TA for ENVIR 100 FALL QUARTER
PoE is currently hiring for a TA for ENVIR 100 for Fall quarter.
ENVIR 100 is the gateway course to the Environmental Studies major and is the first in a 4-quarter series of classes required of all ENVIR majors and minors. This course is open to all undergraduates.
Each T.A. will lead three sections total. (Sections meet on either Mondays or Wednesdays.) Each TA will also assist the instructors with mentoring the 3 undergraduate Peer TAs, who will each lead one discussion section.
Applicants can apply via UWHires by following the link below.
Deadline is May 10th!
Follow the link below for more information and to apply
PoE in Action!
Last week as part of the ENVIR 100 course, peer TA Samantha Zwicker led her students on a tour of Yesler Swamp. Samantha is part of the Yesler Swamp Student Restoration Team at UW. Check out the blog or PoE website to find more cool courses and organizations like this so that you can get involved too!
Info on the ENVIR 100 course: click here!
Info on Yesler Swamp: click here!
[internship] Peer TA Interview
Marie Curatolo – Peer TA in ENVIR 100
Recently I emailed our Peer TAs to learn more about their work as Teaching Assistants leading their own sections in ENVIR 100. This is Marie Curatolo’s response is after the jump.
All PoE students should pay attention to this unique program! It is really great experience for students on resumes, as a prospective graduate student, or heading into education! You can even get 1-5 credits of ENVIR 498 for being a peer TA!
Learn how to apply for Autumn 2011 ENVIR 100 here.
What has been the best part of being a Peer TA?
Throughout my studies at UW, I have frequently encountered the role of education as something profoundly influential in the environmental field. Being a part of it firsthand has been humbling and rewarding. It challenges me to take action in guiding the acquisition of knowledge for others, the effects and applications of which are unlimited. Being a Peer TA has also allowed me to be closer and more involved in the Program on the Environment. The opportunity to work closely with professors, students, and other TAs has led to a cohesion and inclusiveness that is often unfelt in the broad and interdisciplinary program.
Do you suggest that other PoE students should be Peer TAs? What kinds of students should apply?
I highly recommend it! Revisiting the core concepts of Environmental Studies 100 gave me a much stronger understanding of them, a lot of which came from having to teach material. Teaching solidifies knowledge in a way that any other form of studying cannot. It is a great way to strengthen the foundation of any environmental education experience. Students who should apply are those who take a great interest in affecting the way others view the environment. The ideal candidate should be very comfortable with a lot of written and oral communication, be willing and able to provide a lot of assistance, and be very organized.
Do you feel like a part of the teaching team?
Yes. I get to do a lot of behind-the-scenes operation. I also contribute to assignments and exams and have a great deal of responsibility placed on me personally. Being a part of a team is valuable as a resource for ideas, collaboration, and support. Each person contributes and each benefits from the others.
How has this experience been useful to you?
This experience has not only built upon my personal knowledge of the environment, but it has done so uniquely by challenging me to reconsider, re-explain, and communicate my thoughts. It has been a great source of insight as to how environmental education works. This comes with all of the associated highs and lows. Perhaps the most valuable use I have for this experience is the relationships I have developed with the rest of the teaching team. It has taught me about effective collaborative action by letting me get involved in it.
How are you as a Peer TA different than TAs in classes you take?
I try to emulate the best TAs I have had in other classes, and I only wish I could say I was as good as the best, most experienced TAs. Having little teaching experience prior to this class was something that initially scared me, but became less of a concern as time passed. The one difference I find that is to my advantage is that I am closer in age to my students and I understand a lot of what they are currently going through. I can better predict their responses to certain aspects of the class and relate to them in ways that graduate TAs cannot.