1. Students
  2. SKHS Graduate Studies
  3. Teaching Assistant Handbook

Teaching Assistant Handbook

Teaching Assistants (TAs) are graduate students (master’s and doctoral) who provide assistance to course instructors (faculty members, term adjuncts, teaching fellows) in the delivery of the School’s undergraduate programs in Kinesiology and Health Studies.

There are different types of teaching assistantships that involve a variety of responsibilities depending on the contract. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

  • Face-to-face course delivery: leading labs, tutorials, seminars, and/or lectures.
  • Grading: evaluating student assignments, essays, lab reports, midterms and/or final exams
  • Communicating with students: holding office hours, emailing, and/or moderating online discussion forums
  • Assisting with course administration: updating the course onQ page, coordinating student accommodations, proctoring exams, and/or assisting with course content revisions.

Application Process

  1. After posting the available TA positions, the graduate program coordinator circulates a survey to all SKHS graduate students where they will list their preferred TA positions for the following year.
  2. TA positions will be allocated according to the survey and the PSAC 901 TA + TF Collective Agreement.
  3. The SKHS graduate program coordinator will make offers, outlining the term, number of hours per contract and compensation. Students must accept or decline each contract. 
  4. Students who decline offers are considered for but are not guaranteed alternate TA assignments. 
  5. Students will receive an online contract through Human Resources for each position that they accept. 

Expectations

It is expected that TA positions for on-campus courses (all SKHS courses except for those offered through Arts and Science Online) require in-person responsibilities. As such, students must either live in or be willing to commute to Kingston to carry out position responsibilities if they apply for on-campus courses.

TAs are assigned responsibilities in the Teaching Assistant Agreement Form for each TA contract they sign. The SKHS Graduate Program Coordinator provides guidance regarding the TA Agreement Form, the TA Contract and related documentation preparation, and other related policies and procedures associated with setting up and accepting your TA contract(s) each academic session. 

Allocation Process

As of 2023-2024, SKHS has standardized all TA positions in the department to “full positions” of 120 hours or “half positions” of 60 hours per term. The standardization of positions has ensured funding equity across students and has made the administrative process more efficient. 

The task of allocating all positions, however, remains time consuming and complex. SKHS considers graduate student preferences, as well as the preferences of faculty members, the demands of each course, and equitable distribution of positions across all students. This means that we are not always able to accommodate student preferences.

TA Opportunities in Other Departments

There may be TA opportunities available in departments other than SKHS.

If you secure a TA position in another Queen’s unit you are required to provide the SKHS graduate program coordinator with a copy of your online TA contract (print this from the screen before you hit ACCEPT).  This information is added to your overall annual funding profile and retained in your SKHS Grad Student File.

As employees of Queen’s University, SKHS Teaching Assistants are required to successfully complete training prior to performing any duties as a TA. Typically, training is done by all incoming SKHS students during their program Orientation in late August or early September. 

Mandatory training includes: 

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) 

  1. Accessible Customer Service (1hr)
  2. Access Forward (1 hr)
  3. Human Rights 101 (30 mins)
  4. Accessible Instruction for Educators (45 mins)

TAs are paid 3.15 hours at the current TA pay rate for completion of these modules. 

Anti-Racism: Building a Foundation for Change at Queen’s 

TAs are paid 45 mins at the current TA pay rate for completion of this module.

It Takes All of Us, Sexual Violence Prevention Training 

TAs are paid 1 hour at the current TA pay rate for completion of this module.

Health and Safety Awareness 

TAs are paid 1.5 hours at the current TA pay rate for completion of this module.

SKHS Required Training

In addition to the training mandated by Queen’s University, SKHS graduate students must complete the following department-specific TA training prior to starting work in courses: 

TA Roundtable Discussion - incoming students attend a 1-hour long roundtable presentation given by current graduate students about best practices. TAs are paid 1 hour at the current TA rate for this session. 

Laboratory Orientation – incoming students in the Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics research streams must attend a half-hour orientation to SKHS laboratories facilitated by the SKHS Lab Education Coordinator. TAs are paid 0.5 hour at the current TA rate for their attendance. 

Each term, TAs are provided the opportunity to receive evaluation from their students. The SKHS graduate program coordinator will put out a call near the end of term calling for TAs to request their evaluation. 

If TAs are interested in receiving evaluation, they must complete the TA Evaluation Process and Response Form.

Being a TA can be challenging, especially for those who are new to the work. TAs receive guidance from their course instructors while on contract, though there are also many resources available to help them develop their skills.

Bookable Working Spaces

SKHS TAs can book the following meeting rooms to conduct TA work (meetings with students, office hours, grading sessions, etc.): 

  • 301B – TA Meeting Room – you will receive access to the bookable calendar at the start of term.
  • KHS 210 Conference Room - contact 
  • KHS 212 Seminar Room - contact 

Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL)

Accessible Teaching Methods

Course Design and Technology

External Resources

TAs play an essential role in fostering safe learning environments on campus. The following resources are intended to help TAs navigate the responsibilities they have to promote safe learning spaces and student wellness.

Indigenization - Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Anti-Racism, and Accessibility (I-EDIAA)

The following resources from the Centre for Teaching and Learning may help TAs navigate their roles as educators in relation to Queen’s commitments to I-EDIAA on campus.

TAs are encouraged to contact the Centre for Teaching and Learning to learn more about cultivating inclusive teaching and assessment practices that reflect the needs of all students.

Identifying and Responding to Students in Distress 

The 2023 Student Affairs Green Folder resource provides faculty and staff with up-to-date information to help them identify and respond to students in distress. 

Student Wellness Services regularly offers an Identifying and Responding to Students in Distress training for students, staff, and faculty to help them recognize when someone is struggling with their mental health and may need support. The content of this training is also available in a self-directed module: Identifying and Responding to Someone in Distress by Queen’s Student Wellness Services.

Support Services for Students

TAs may find it helpful to refer undergraduate students to the following resources:

There are many factors that influence graduate student wellness, including employment as teaching assistants. It is important to recognize that TA responsibilities introduce unique stresses to graduate students that can be challenging, especially for new TAs. SKHS TAs are encouraged to explore the following resources to support.

Employee Assistance Program

As Queen’s employees, TAs and have access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP). The Employee and Family Assistance Program provider, TELUS Health One, offers confidential, professional, and personalized wellness services that are available to employees and family members, 24/7. Services range from counselling, assessments, toolkits, podcasts, and more. 

To review full services and supports, login to the website at login.lifeworks.com or download the “Lifeworks” app. Username: queensu. Password: telushealth. 

For 24-hour, confidential EFAP support call: 1-877-789-7572

Graduate Student Supports

TAs are also encouraged to use supports that are available to them as graduate students at Queen’s University, such as:

Human Rights and Equity Service

If, in their work, TAs have concerns about their human rights, they are encouraged to use the Human Rights Advisory Services. A human rights advisor can help TAs identify and articulate their concerns (such as discrimination, harassment, failure to accommodate), explain relevant Queen’s policies, make referrals where appropriate, and offer options for addressing concerns.

TAs may also find it helpful to reach out to the Queen’s Inclusion and Anti-Racism Advisor to learn more about anti-oppression and anti-racism initiatives and services at Queen’s.

Identity-specific & Community Resources

TAs may require identity-specific support to foster their wellbeing during their employment. Many of the following resources aim to support Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Colour (QTBIPoC), who may experience marginalization during their employment with Queen’s.

Campus Security

If you have any concerns about your physical safety, contact Campus Security.

Anyone on campus can also utilize the Blue Light Emergency Phones located throughout all Kingston campus locations, or contact the campus Emergency Response Centre, at 613-533-6111.

The campus has supports for personal safety, including AMS Walkhome, Safe Walk or the Lone Worker Program if working alone at night (Campus Security, 613-533-6080).

Students, faculty, and employees are encouraged to download and use the SeQure App. SeQure provides a quick way to contact emergency services and other supports. By activating the push notifications in the app, users can proactively receive emergency/safety notifications.

Any campus community member who experiences or witnesses any hate-motivated act is encouraged to report it and/or connect with the Human Rights and Equity office for support.