TA Responsibilities in the Data Science Clinic

Overview

This document outlines the standard responsibilities of a Teaching Assistant (TA) in the Data Science Clinic. Please note that specific duties may vary as different mentors might request additional tasks. The responsibilities listed here form the baseline expectations.

Core Responsibilities

TAs are expected to:

• Assist with git operations, including evaluating and merging pull requests.
• Meet with external mentors as needed.
• Provide support for various assessment mechanisms.
• Evaluate, during finals week, up to two repositories using the checklist found here.

Conducting TA Sessions

• Frequency: Conduct two in-person TA sessions each week.
• Location and Time: Sessions should be held at the designated location and time for the project.
• Nature of Sessions: Sessions are intended to be interactive working periods. TAs should offer assistance related to the project, including technical support, advice, and troubleshooting.

Role in Student Support

• TAs serve as the initial point of contact for students’ technical, logistical, and administrative queries.
• Ensure active engagement and support during office hours.

Attendance and Grading

• Weekly Reporting: TAs must report student attendance weekly through Canvas.
• Scoring System: Attendance is scored out of 5. Late arrivals (up to 10 minutes) receive a 3/5 score. Those more than 10 minutes late are marked with a zero.

Final week grading

• Technical Assessment: At the end of the quarter, each TA will evaluate two repositories using a checklist. This checklist can be found here.

Handling Student Inquiries

• If students question their grades, especially those related to attendance, refer them to the clinic director, Nick Ross. Include any relevant information in your communication.

FAQ

1. What if a student is ill or has COVID and requests a TA session via Zoom?

   • Allow them to attend via Zoom, but ensure they email the clinic director to record this exception.

2. What should I do if a student asks me to complete their work?

   • Report this immediately via email or Slack to your project mentor and the clinic director.

3. I have a student who is behaving unprofessionally during the TA session.

   • Report this back to your mentor and the clinic directory ASAP.

Final Note

While students are students and a core part of the clinic experience is learning, it is not the purpose of the TA to correct unprofessional/undisciplined/improper behavior. If you feel that any of these is occurring please report it to your mentor and the clinic director ASAP.