TAAP

  t h e   T A   a c c r e d i t a t i o n   p r o g ra m

The Mathematics Department's TA Accreditation Program (TAAP) is a professional development opportunity available to graduate students in the Mathematics Department. The TAAP was started by four senior graduate students: Alia Hamieh, Vishaal Kapoor, David Kohler and David Steinberg. The faculty advisor is Fok-Shuen Leung.

program requirements

There are three requirements for Accreditation: participation in the TAAP Seminar Series, completion of an Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW), and additional hours of approved professional development.

TAAP Seminar Series. The Seminar Series takes place in the Winter and Spring terms, normally with six seminars per term. The Accreditation requirement is participation in nine seminars.

ISW. Instructional Skills Workshops are highly interactive, peer-based, three-day programs. They are internationally recognized, and will appear on your transcript. General ISWs are offered through UBC's Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology (CTLT). In the Mathematics Department, ISWs adapted for — and facilitated by — mathematicians are also offered. The Accreditation requirement is completion of one ISW.

Additional hours. Students in the TAAP must complete extra hours of further professional development related to teaching. This includes, but is not restricted to, CTLT and CWSEI events, outreach activities, course development, and conference and seminar presentations. It excludes most paid duties in the Mathematics Department. Approval must be obtained in advance from the TAAP faculty advisor; hours cannot be claimed retro-actively. The Accreditation requirement is 20 hours for students who have not completed MATH 599, and 10 hours for students who have.

accreditation benefits

There are three major benefits to Accreditation.

First, your teaching portfolio will form a crucial part of your application for employment beyond graduate school. Accreditation means that the Department officially recognizes your willingness to achieve a level of professional development well beyond what is required. In appreciation, you will receive a certificate signed by the Department Head.

Second, you will be eligible to receive a TA Award worth $300. Up to 30 TA Awards will be granted per year. Completion of the TAAP is the sole eligibility requirement.

Third, the TAAP will introduce you to a community of like-minded students and faculty.

how to sign up

To sign up for the TAAP, simply contact the TAAP faculty advisor, Fok-Shuen Leung. Questions about the Accreditation process should also be directed to Dr. Leung.

links

The following UBC organizations run events that may sometimes be counted toward your additional hours requirement.
  Carl Weiman Science Education Initiative
  Centre for Intercultural Communication
  Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology
  Office of Learning Technology
  Skylight
The following is a link to the Seminar Series associated with the TAAP.
  Seminar Series

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