Build Your Foundation as a TA
Preparing for Inclusive Teaching is a one-day intensive professional development program for early-career graduate student TAs in STEM and Social Sciences. Held before the start of Fall Quarter, it focuses on strengthening inclusive teaching practices and building cross-departmental community among graduate instructors.
Originally developed through the Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) SEMILLA grant, the program emphasizes the importance of inclusive teaching in lower-division “gateway” courses in the Physical & Biological Sciences, Engineering, and Social Sciences. Participants gain equity-minded strategies to enhance student learning and their own teaching effectiveness, while also learning ways to support students equitably and sustain themselves in the TA role.

Topics include:
- Developing equity-centered learning outcomes and formative assessments
- Promoting student motivation and sense of belonging from day one of teaching
- Strengthening growth mindsets
- Providing learner-centered feedback on student work
- Using active learning strategies to build student problem-solving skills
- …and more!
Upon completion, participants will receive a professional development certificate from the TLC.
How to Participate
The 2026 Preparing for Inclusive Teaching program will be held in September 2026 near the start of Fall Quarter. Please check back in Spring Quarter 2026 for the confirmed date.
Includes breakfast, lunch, and community-building.
Eligibility
This event is designed for early-career graduate students in Physical & Biological Sciences, Social Sciences, and the School of Engineering.
Special priority is given to incoming, first-year graduate students in the following departments:
- Applied Math
- Mathematics
- Chemistry & Biochemistry
- MCD Biology
- Physics
- Computer Science & Engineering
- Statistics
- Psychology
- Environmental Studies
- Economics
Please reach out if you have questions about the program.
