Teaching assistants are students too

A typical day for a teaching assistant might begin with sipping a warm cup of coffee while lounging in a comfortable desk chair. As they sip their mocha latte, they merely glance at the tests that need grading, chuckle while reading their students' e-mail requests for help, and they are sure to hide under the desk if they hear footsteps approaching.

Among many undergrads, this visualization and stereotype is one of the many misconceptions of teaching assistants often seen through the eyes of their students whom they are teaching.

"Sometimes my students forget that I am a student myself," said Anthony Lipinski, who already has his B.S./M.B.A. and is a third year law student. "I try to explain the first day of class that I'm only a TA and have my own problems and most of the time that sticks. Once I tell them I often get comments that they don't know how I do it."

Teaching assistants teach what UB calls labs or recitations, which help emphasize the instructor's lecture. During the one-hour session, TAs often go over PowerPoint slides they have created to highlight key points, administer homework, and answer any questions students have about the material.

In addition to a heavy course load, teaching assistants are required to have two office hours scheduled a week. Many times they are willing to schedule alternative office hours to accommodate students' opposing schedules.

"I would come in at 7 a.m. for some students who I knew really wanted to learn," said Tom Rash, a second-year M.B.A. student. "While for other students I did not want to go that extra mile because I knew all they wanted was for me to give them answers to the homework."

Such effort is not uncommon with most teaching assistants. In fact, it wasn't too long ago when they were undergraduate students themselves.

"I definitely have some sympathy for undergrads, mostly because I was there once too," said Alison Brunger, a TA and fourth year J.D./M.B.A. student. "I know that college is a stressful but wonderful time, and sometimes school work doesn't rank as high on the priorities scale as it should."

Jeffrey Green, combined law graduate student and TA, agrees.

"As an undergrad only a year ago, I can still relate very well to most of my students. I remember I wanted to go to parties all the time and I did not want to be awake before noon," he said. "All I want to see from my students is a certain level of effort."

Teaching assistants can now appreciate the conflict that their professors face when dealing with students who aren't interested. It can be difficult for them to go the extra mile for their students if they feel their work is unappreciated.

"At times I would feel used by people who would come to office hours just to get homework answers and not to learn," Rash said. "These people would not be around during any other time."

Students sometimes find gifts, and even hugs are the perfect sign of appreciation for a job well done.

"Once I received chocolate from a student," Lipinski said. "I have also received many handshakes and hugs over the years, and that means a lot too."

Green remembered one time a student of his brought him back candy from New York City.

"It was due to her appreciation for the effort I had put in to help her get through the course," Green said.

Misconceptions over the work teaching assistants put in can go on for centuries to come, but showing a little appreciation can go a long way. A simple recognition could be plenty.

"I did not realize teaching assistants had to do so much work," said Lauren Hager a senior history major. "It's definitely much more understandable to me now."