I remember last year in the Spring when I was a student sitting in the classroom learning concepts from CHEM 1000: Mathematics for Chemistry. This spring semester, I will be part of the classroom, not only as a student but also as a UTA. Assisting Professor Hutchison, I deepened my understanding of teaching throughout the semester. I learned firsthand the immense effort and timing that go into the lesson and teaching plans every single week and lecture. Creating a bridge between the instructor and the students can be challenging but crucial. Unlike other courses where I attend office hours, this was my first time assisting in teaching, and I am providing my own. I have come to appreciate the dedication and determination required from both Professors and Teaching Assistants. I am grateful for the learning opportunities and the chance to contribute to the academic community.
My unique proposal upon TAing for the class was the substitution of Examlet 4 with a Final Project. As I was once a student taking this course along with others, I knew how much stress can build up during Finals Week. My current position as a TA highlighted how Professor Hutchison inspires me to promote engagement and experiential learning among the students. Complementing my student and instructor perspectives, I wanted to ensure that students could show their skills and mastery in an experiential assessment, all while promoting a less stressful environment. As such, Professor Hutchison and I devoted ourselves to creating the first iteration of a Final Project for this particular class which started back in 2016!
As the students are in the middle of doing their Final Projects, I received numerous positive feedbacks from students expressing how much they appreciated that they did not have to study for and take another Examlet during Finals Week, as they will be presenting on the week of April 15th. Let alone the feedback regarding the Final Project, students highlighted how I can improve my study aids (i.e., Answer keys for Practice Examlets, Examlet Study Guides, Office Hours). I truly appreciate all of the feedback and criticism as it shows that even though I took this course once before, I am still yet learning! Moreover, I could appreciate my relationships with Professor Hutchison and the students through the progression of my CUTF.
As the Spring Semester and my CUTF experience are coming to an end, I found the idea of teaching much more captivating. My experience as a UTA, empowered by the Chancellor’s Undergraduate Teaching Fellowship (CUTF), has been nothing short of amazing! I wish to assist in teaching CHEM 1000 once again next year in the Spring, as I want to further pursue and inspire in aiding students in the classroom once again. I genuinely believe this is the start of my experiential journey in the academic classroom, as I wish to pursue Dental School. I envision myself applying the skills and passion I have learned through my CUTF in future academic and career settings.
