Most Princeton graduate students will serve as Teaching Assistants (TAs), playing a vital role in undergraduate education. TA responsibilities vary across departments but commonly include leading discussions and problem-solving sessions, teaching labs, holding office hours, and grading. The Graduate School requires all first-time TAs to attend the McGraw Center’s Orientation to Teaching to prepare for these critical instructional roles. This orientation provides a foundational introduction to teaching at Princeton and complements department-level training, helping to ensure that new TAs are well-equipped to teach effectively.

During the Orientation, you will:

• Explore effective, research-based teaching strategies tailored to your specific discipline.
• Practice teaching and receive constructive feedback from experienced teachers.
• Discover campus resources designed to support your work as a TA.
• Embark on or continue your professional development as a teacher, which can enhance your CV for both academic and non-academic careers.

TA Orientation consists of two parts:

• An asynchronous online component that students will complete during the month of January.
• An in-person half-day session.

In-person TA training will occur in Frist Center on August 29 and 30,  2025. First-time TAs should hold 9:00 am-4:00 pm on both days for the Orientation and will be assigned to a half-day session.

Your department will notify the McGraw Center and the Graduate School if you are appointed as a first-time TA, and you will receive a reminder about the training closer to the date. Students who do not successfully complete both components of TA Orientation will not be allowed to hold further TA appointments until they have completed the training.