TA Orientation

Each fall, CTL hosts a TA Orientation (TAO) to prepare graduate students for their teaching responsibilities at Stanford. This event is highly recommended for all TAs. It will provide a foundation in evidence-based teaching practices for new and returning TAs, postdocs, and other members of the campus community. 

Fall Quarter TA Orientation 2025 

• Friday, September 19, 8 a.m.–12 noon
• Lathrop Library

Register for TA Orientation

Check-In and Continental Breakfast: 8:00 a.m. (Lathrop Library, 2nd floor courtyard) 

• 8:30: Welcome to Teaching at Stanford, Cassandra Volpe-Horii, CTL director, associate vice provost for education (Bishop Auditorium)
• 8:50: Supporting Mental Health and Well-being in the Classroom, Colin Campbell, assistant director, Well-Being at Stanford (Bishop Auditorium)

Session 1: 9:50–10:50 a.m. (choose one workshop)

• Leading Office Hours and Review Sessions (Bishop Auditorium)
• Facilitating Discussions in Humanities and Social Sciences (Lathrop 294)
• Major Policies and Practices Every Graduate Student Should Know (Lathrop 282)
• Supporting Student Learning in STEM Sections (Lathrop 299)

Session 2: 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (choose one workshop)

• Grading Problem Sets, Labs, and Exams (Bishop Auditorium)
• Grading and Commenting on Papers and Essays (Lathrop 294)
• Major Policies and Practices Every Graduate Student Should Know (Lathrop 282)
• Creating Inclusive Learning Environments (Lathrop 299) 

If you are unable to attend TAO, TAO Any Time is a self-paced online course introducing you to the fundamentals of effective pedagogy for teaching assistants.

Stanford Policy Resources

• The Honor Code and Fundamental Standard Video
• Title IX and Sexual Harassment Policy Office Video
• Teaching Students with Disabilities from the Office of Accessible Education
• Office of Accessible Education Video
• Admin Guide 1.7 section on Harassment and Discrimination 

Stanford Policy Offices

• The Office of Community Standards: A commitment to integrity permeates all aspects of campus life, and the Office of Community Standards supports this mission by upholding two of Stanford's foundational principles: the Fundamental Standard and the Honor Code.
• SHARE Title IX and Title IV Office: The university’s central resource for redressing and preventing sexual harassment, violence, and harassment/discrimination issues experienced by all Stanford community members.
• Office of Accessible Education (OAE): The mission of the Office of Accessible Education (OAE) is to promote an accessible and inclusive environment for all students with disabilities. 

Questions?

Contact Nakisha Whittington, assistant director, Graduate Teaching Programs, for more information at any time. Please also contact Nakisha if you need a disability-related accommodation or wheelchair access information.

nakishaw@stanford.edu
408 Panama Mall, Suite 149