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Graduate Teaching Assistant Performance Evaluation

Memorandum of Agreement

Teaching Assistant _____________________ Term__________ Year __________

AIP Coordinator _____________________

The Department of Exercise and Sport Science is committed to a strong record of good work performance from graduate teaching assistants.

The Graduate Teaching Assistant Performance Evaluation Plan focuses on 1) teaching performance and, 2) professional responsibilities related to your role as a teaching assistant within the department. While evidence related to your job performance will be used primarily by you for professional development purposes, it also may be called into consideration by faculty for writing letters of recommendation or making re-appointment decisions.

1. EVALUATION OF TEACHING
   1. Student Evaluations of Instruction
      1. Teaching Assistants are required to solicit student evaluations for each AIP course taught. Instructions for implementing this process are distributed toward the end of each semester.
      2. Use one of the approved departmental standard forms for student assessment of activity classes, adding any items desired (ESS Information & Procedure Handbook, Appendix F).
      3. Follow the established guidelines for the administration of the forms.
      4. Once summaries of the evaluations are returned from the Learning Resource Center, they are reviewed by the AIP Coordinator and maintained in the teaching assistant's departmental file.
   2. Classroom Observations
      1. Frequency
         • Graduate Teaching Assistants will have their teaching observed in each semester of their first year and in at least one semester of their second and third years of appointment. Additional observations may be requested by the Teaching Assistant.
      2. Instrument
         • The AIP Instructor Observation Summary Form will be used by the observer (ESS Information and Procedure Book, Appendix F).
      3. Process
         1. One announced class visitation will be made by a full time faculty member. Additional unannounced visits may be required in cases where teaching performance falls below departmental expectations.
         2. Prior to the planned visit, the teaching assistant should supply the observer with whatever supplementary materials are considered to be appropriate. A conference might be scheduled to share relevant background information such as class objectives and teacher/student roles.
         3. Each observer should maintain confidentiality about the results of the observation.
         4. A copy of the observation report should be delivered to the AIP Coordinator and Teaching Assistant within two weeks. The observer should strive to compile a balanced report including at least strengths, areas needing attention, and recommendations for improvement.
         5. After reviewing the report, the AIP Coordinator or Teaching Assistant may request a follow up conference.
         6. In situations where a teaching assistant disagrees with the observation report, he/she may attach a statement and/or request that an additional observation be completed by a different faculty member.
         7. A copy of all evaluations will be maintained in the Teaching Assistant's departmental file.
2. RELATED PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
   The Department of Exercise and Sport Science expects from you as a Teaching Assistant to:
   1. Meet every class with planned activity.
   2. Arrange for appropriate class coverage when planned absences from campus prevent you from teaching your classes.
      1. generate a well developed set of plans for the covering instructor
      2. inform the AIP Coordinator of coverage plans
      3. prepare for coverage well in advance
   3. Adhere to departmental policy as it applies to facility and equipment procedures.
   4. Willingly teach or prepare to teach across a range of activity areas, some of which may be less familiar to you.
   5. Implement procedures for evaluation of activity courses taught each semester.
   6. Attend AIP program in-service seminars and staff meetings.
   7. Respond to written or verbal communications from AIP Coordinator or Activity Heads as requested.
   8. Consult with AIP Coordinator or Activity Head for authorization to deviate from expected departmental policy or practice.
3. REPORT ON PERFORMANCE
   • Results from your teaching assessments and observations by the AIP Coordinator relative to your professional responsibilities will be used to compile a report on performance. The report will be forwarded to the ESS Department Head and maintained in the teaching assistant's departmental file.

Page updated: 05-Jan-2006

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