{"id":378,"date":"2021-01-05T17:39:49","date_gmt":"2021-01-05T17:39:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/biology-msbiodiversity\/?page_id=378"},"modified":"2026-02-11T20:52:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T20:52:14","slug":"taf","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/biology-msbiodiversity\/taf\/","title":{"rendered":"Teaching Assistant Fellows"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-774\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/biology-msbiodiversity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/193\/2022\/07\/Blue-Bookshelf-Reading-Club-Google-Classroom-Header-9-300x75.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1144\" height=\"286\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/biology-msbiodiversity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/193\/2022\/07\/Blue-Bookshelf-Reading-Club-Google-Classroom-Header-9-300x75.png 300w, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/biology-msbiodiversity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/193\/2022\/07\/Blue-Bookshelf-Reading-Club-Google-Classroom-Header-9-1024x256.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/biology-msbiodiversity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/193\/2022\/07\/Blue-Bookshelf-Reading-Club-Google-Classroom-Header-9-768x192.png 768w, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/biology-msbiodiversity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/193\/2022\/07\/Blue-Bookshelf-Reading-Club-Google-Classroom-Header-9-1536x384.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/biology-msbiodiversity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/193\/2022\/07\/Blue-Bookshelf-Reading-Club-Google-Classroom-Header-9.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1144px) 100vw, 1144px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"color: #ff6600\"><strong><a style=\"color: #ff6600\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/biology-msbiodiversity\/current-taf-members\/\">MEET OUR CURRENT SPRING 2026 TAF MEMBERS<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\r\n<p>The\u00a0WCSU Biology\u00a0Teaching Assistant Fellows\u00a0(TAF)\u00a0program\u00a0provides\u00a0an alternative instructional construct\u00a0for undergraduate\u00a0biology\u00a0courses.\u00a0 The program aims to provide graduate students enrolled in the MS in Integrative Biological Diversity program with opportunities to receive pedagogical and biological training and to\u00a0build community\u00a0within the department.\u00a0 Each fellow will assist with instruction of BIO100 Concepts of Biology laboratory for non-majors, with guidance and support from the TAF program coordinator (a designated biology faculty member who is also the Instructor of Record for the course). Fellows will be expected to:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\">\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>Attend pre-semester and weekly trainings.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>Teach one\u00a0or two\u00a0sections of\u00a0BIO100 Lab, closely following the curriculum set by the Instructor of Record, including, but not limited to, the syllabus, texts and materials, and other class activities.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>Contact the Instructor of Record well in advance concerning\u00a0any absences or lateness\u00a0due to emergencies, illness, and other extenuating circumstances, and\u00a0explain the arrangements made to cover the class.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>Have\u00a0at least two full classes visited\u00a0by the Instructor of Record, who will evaluate the\u00a0TAF\u2019s teaching using\u00a0the approved evaluation criteria\u00a0and\u00a0make recommendations to the Department Chair for renewal.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>Address comments\/concerns raised by Instructor of Record after in-person class evaluations.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>Communicate promptly and clearly with students, the Lead Instructor, the Department Secretary, and the Department Chair.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>Provide feedback about TAF experience to Dept. Chairperson via the\u00a0<em>TAF Experience Evaluation Form.\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><strong>Each TAF will receive <span style=\"color: #000080\">$2,400 per section<\/span> of BIO100 lab taught (up to $4800 per semester), per the graduate assistant university guidelines.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>In addition to a stipend award, full-time graduate students (enrolled in nine credits or more per semester) have the following fees waived:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>State University Fee<\/li>\r\n<li>University General Fee except for that portion attributable to student accident insurance<\/li>\r\n<li>Student Activity Fee<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>If you are interested in applying for the TAF program, complete the Graduate TAF Application<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>and submit it to the Program Coordinator(s)<span style=\"color: #000080\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">, <\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt\"><span style=\"color: #000000\">at<\/span> <a href=\"mailto:ibdcoordinator@wcsu.edu\">ibdcoordinator@wcsu.edu<\/a><\/span><\/span>, no later than March 15 (for Fall fellowships) or October 15 (for Spring fellowships).<\/p>\r\n<p>If you have not received a Teaching Assistant Fellowship before:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/biology-msbiodiversity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/193\/2025\/10\/Application_NEW_TAF.pdf\">Application_NEW_TAF<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p>If you are a returning Teaching Assistant Fellow:\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/biology-msbiodiversity\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/193\/2025\/10\/Application_RETURNING_TAF.pdf\">Application_RETURNING_TAF<\/a><\/p>\r\n<hr \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;color: #0000ff\"><strong>TAF TIMELINE<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\">\u00a0<b><span data-ogsc=\"rgb(46, 117, 182)\">TAF applications &amp; GA Assistantship applications are due <\/span><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><b><span data-ogsc=\"rgb(46, 117, 182)\">Mar 15 (Fall Awards) and Oct 15 (Spring Awards)<\/span><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><strong><u>SPRING APPLICATIONS FOR\u00a0FALL AWARDS:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p><b>March 15<\/b>:\u00a0<b><span data-ogsc=\"rgb(56, 87, 35)\">TAF and GA applications for Fall due<\/span><\/b><span data-ogsc=\"rgb(56, 87, 35)\">\u00a0<\/span>to grad program chair.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<p><b>April 1 <\/b><strong>&#8211; 30:<\/strong> Grad program\/TAF\u00a0<b><span data-ogsc=\"rgb(56, 87, 35)\">review<\/span><\/b>\u00a0and discussion of applications.\u00a0\u00a0<b><span data-ogsc=\"rgb(56, 87, 35)\">Decide<\/span><\/b>\u00a0on awardees.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>May 15 (or by last day of spring semester):<\/b>\u00a0<b><span data-ogsc=\"rgb(56, 87, 35)\">Deadline by which we notify TAF\/GA awardees<\/span><\/b><span data-ogsc=\"rgb(56, 87, 35)\">\u00a0<\/span>of their fellowship opportunities (accepted or denied) with official letter or email (see TAF letter attached; suggest we consider modeling a similar GA letter after this?)<\/p>\r\n<p><b>May 31<\/b>:\u00a0<b><span data-ogsc=\"rgb(56, 87, 35)\">Due date for awardee students to submit commitment<\/span><\/b><span data-ogsc=\"rgb(56, 87, 35)\">\u00a0<\/span>to accept or deny fellowship offer (Can be submitted by student via MS Forms)<\/p>\r\n<p><b>June 30<\/b>:\u00a0<b><span data-ogsc=\"rgb(56, 87, 35)\">Due date for grad program to notify Provost\u2019s office<\/span><\/b><span data-ogsc=\"rgb(56, 87, 35)\">\u00a0<\/span>about Fall GA and TAF awardees.<\/p>\r\n<p><b><u>\u00a0<\/u><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><b><u>FALL APPLICATIONS FOR\u00a0<span data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 176, 80)\">SPRING AWARDS:<\/span><\/u><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><b>August 21-25 (or week before classes begin<\/b>):\u00a0 All fellows\/GAs are required to be on campus for orientation\/paperwork\/training\/etc.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Oct 15:<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0<b><span data-ogsc=\"rgb(56, 87, 35)\">TAF and GA applications<\/span><\/b><span data-ogsc=\"rgb(56, 87, 35)\">\u00a0<\/span>for Spring due to grad program chair.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Oct 16-30:<\/b>\u00a0 Grad program\/TAF\u00a0<b><span data-ogsc=\"rgb(56, 87, 35)\">review<\/span>\u00a0<\/b>and discussion of applications.\u00a0\u00a0<b><span data-ogsc=\"rgb(56, 87, 35)\">Decide<\/span><\/b><span data-ogsc=\"rgb(56, 87, 35)\">\u00a0<\/span>on awardees.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Nov 1<\/b>:\u00a0<b><span data-ogsc=\"rgb(56, 87, 35)\">Deadline by which we notify TAF\/GA awardees<\/span><\/b><span data-ogsc=\"rgb(56, 87, 35)\">\u00a0<\/span>of their fellowship opportunities (accepted or denied) with official letter or email.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Nov 20:<\/b>\u00a0<b><span data-ogsc=\"rgb(56, 87, 35)\">Due date for awardee students to submit commitment<\/span><\/b><span data-ogsc=\"rgb(56, 87, 35)\">\u00a0<\/span>to accept or deny fellowship offer (Can be submitted by student via MS Forms).<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Dec 1:<\/b>\u00a0<b><span data-ogsc=\"rgb(56, 87, 35)\">Due date for grad program to notify Provost\u2019s office<\/span><\/b><span data-ogsc=\"rgb(56, 87, 35)\">\u00a0<\/span>about Spring GA and TAF awardees.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>MEET OUR CURRENT SPRING 2026 TAF MEMBERS The\u00a0WCSU Biology\u00a0Teaching Assistant Fellows\u00a0(TAF)\u00a0program\u00a0provides\u00a0an alternative instructional construct\u00a0for undergraduate\u00a0biology\u00a0courses.\u00a0 The program aims to provide graduate students enrolled in the MS in Integrative Biological Diversity program with opportunities to receive pedagogical and biological training and &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":179,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-378","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/biology-msbiodiversity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/378","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/biology-msbiodiversity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/biology-msbiodiversity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/biology-msbiodiversity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/179"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/biology-msbiodiversity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=378"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/biology-msbiodiversity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/378\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/biology-msbiodiversity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=378"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}