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Teaching Assistants
A Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) supports academic units in delivering their undergraduate and graduate curriculum.
Teaching assistantships offer you the opportunity to contribute to the learning of undergraduate and graduate students and to develop transferrable leadership and communication skills applicable to your own graduate program, and life after Laurier. For example, as a GTA, you may be expected to lead a tutorial and generate discussion among the students, evaluate assignments and tests, and respond to enquiries from students who may be struggling with content and need additional guidance. All of these responsibilities, and more, will require taking initiative, careful planning, working closely with others, and conscientious decision-making.
Resources and training opportunities listed below will aid you in being better prepared for this important element of your graduate program.
Your contracts are issued by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and are funded from university operating funds. Contracts are offered in accordance with the university's funding policies for students in research programs.
Training
Training resources are provided to GTAs with access to practical information to help you navigate and succeed in your important role in the classroom. The training also includes information about performance expectations, relevant employment legislation to be aware of, and university policies and supports.
By the end of your training, you should be able to:
- Describe GTA and faculty supervisor responsibilities and expectations.
- Observe employment rules and regulations including workplace accommodation, health and safety and employment standards.
- Identify the purpose of GTA and faculty supervisor meetings.
- Build a foundational knowledge in best practices for teaching.
- Identify and respond to students in need of elevated levels of support.
Upcoming Training
Individuals taking up their first Graduate Teaching Assistantship in fall of 2022 will be required to attend TA training. Details will be announced soon.
Employee Documentation
In order to begin your work as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Wilfrid Laurier University, you must follow these next steps:
- You must have been offered and accepted your Graduate Teaching Assistantship on LORIS
- Log in to LORIS and enter your Social Insurance Number under Personal Information and then View/Enter your Social Insurance Number.
- International students employed as GTAs are encouraged to refer to information from Laurier International on working in Canada.
- Submit the Direct Deposit Authorization form to Payroll using the “Submit Documents to Payroll” button on the Student Employee Payroll page
- Submit the remaining documents to Payroll using the “Submit Documents to Payroll” button on the Student Employee Payroll page, including:
- Direct Deposit Authorization form (if you haven't done so already)
- Study Permit (International Students only)
- Social Insurance Number received from Service Canada (International Students only)
- On LORIS, the Employee Tab will appear when you have been confirmed as an employee. You must complete the TD1 Personal Tax Credits (TD1/TD1ON)
- Log in to LORIS.
- Navigate to "Employee," "Tax Forms," then "TD1 Personal Tax Credits."
- Click either "Update" or "New link" to the right of the Federal TD1.
- Update the values as necessary.
- Check the signature box, then click the "Submit Changes" button.
- Click the "Select Another TD1" link at the bottom of the page.
- Click either "Update" or "New link" to the right of the Ontario TD1.
- Update the values as necessary.
- Check the signature box, then click the "Submit Changes" button.
Notes
- Your SIN and study permit is required by law for the university to pay you. If your SIN and study permit has not been provided to Payroll (see step 2), the university will be unable to process your TA contract.
- In order to be eligible for graduate student employment opportunities, students must have a domestic bank account. Students who do not have a domestic bank account must verify that their bank can accept a Canadian cheque.
GTA Job Responsibilities and Assignment of Duties
Your employment supervisor will outline the responsibilities (including deadlines) by completing a TA Job Responsibilities Form (TAJRF). You and your employment supervisor will meet (normally before classes begin) to review the expectations, and to identify any potential concerns. If you require a workplace accommodation, contact the Health and Abilities manager (cgruhl@wlu.ca).