Orientation Information

We hope that this website will provide you with support as you take on the challenges of serving as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at The George Washington University.

GW’s Graduate Teaching Assistantship Program (GTAP) has as the central aim of helping you succeed as a GTA and, in the process, contribute positively not only to the education of the GW students you serve but to your own. Through he GTA orientation, Online GTA Certification course, Professional Issues Workshops, and now this website, we attempt to provide you with the information and inspiration you need to thrive as a teaching assistant.

Our best wishes for an enjoyable and enriching experience on the front line of education at GW

C. Dianne Martin, Ph.D.                            Geri Rypkema
Associate Vice President for                      Director, Office of Graduate
Graduate Studies and Academic Affairs       Student Assistantships and
                                                            Fellowships

Overview

The Graduate Teaching Assistant Program (GTAP), which includes a half-day orientation, is being held this fall on Thursday, 27 August 2009.

Attendance at the GTAP Orientation is required for all first-time graduate teaching assistants at GW.

If you do not attend and successfully complete all necessary components of the Orientation, your salary and/or stipend check may be withheld.

Please confirm your participation in the program, by returning the Registration Form as soon as possible.

Check the Schedule for the time and location of the GTAP Orientation. A final schedule will be provided to you when you check-in for the Orientation on August 27th.

An important component of the GTAP Orientation is the GTA Instructional Presentation. Click on the Instructional Presentation button to see an explanation of the IP and its requirements. Please review this information carefully and follow the instructions provided to ensure you are prepared for the presentation you will give.

During the spring semester, you will also be required to complete the one-credit Graduate Teaching Assistant Certification Course. The Office of Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships will register you for this no-fee online course. The course will be available on Blackboard (blackboard.gwu.edu) this fall. Click on the Online Course button for more details.

Along with the online course you will required to participate in a Professional Development Workshop specially targeted toward GTA concerns.

Oral English Proficiency Screening:

If you are a non-native English-speaking GTA, you must also participate in an Oral English Proficiency Screening with a clinician in the Speech and Hearing Clinic. If you are required to have an interview, your appointment notification will be with your registration materials.

Employment Eligibility as a GTA:

You will also be asked to complete an Employment Eligibility Verification form, required by the Federal government for all new employees. If you have not previously been employed at GW, you must complete Section 1 and bring appropriate documents to the Orientation to be certified as eligible for employment. Lists of acceptable documents are provided on the back of the form. Please note that you must provide either one document from List A or one document from List B and one document from List C.

If your address changes:

It is important that we have current and accurate contact information for you. If you change your residence, please complete the "Change-of-Address" form and promptly submit it to the address indicated on the form.

Health Insurance:

GW Graduate Assistants, including Graduate Teaching Assistants, Graduate Research Assistants, and Graduate Administrative Assistants, who enrolled in the GW Student Health Insurance Plan for the full-year will be eligible to receive $1,000 toward the cost of the plan. For those enrolling only for one semester, the payment will be $500 for the semester. There are no payments related to summer-only enrollment. Click here for details on the Student Health Insurance Plan through UnitedHealthcare StudentRecourses.

Contacts:

If you have any questions about the GTAP Orientation, please contact Geri Rypkema, either by e-mail: rypkema@gwu.edu or by phone at: 202-994-6822. Also check some frequently asked questions FAQs here.

We look forward to seeing you at the GTA Orientation in August and assisting you in realizing the full potential of your Graduate Teaching Assistantship at The George Washington University!