For those who would like to become TA’s (Teacher’s Assistants) but want to know more about the benefits and responsibilities of the position, you have come to the right place. In this article, we have compiled advice and experiences shared by actual TA’s and Ms. Brauhn, one of our high school counselors, for this purpose. 

I interviewed two TA’s at Lotus to get insight on their experiences. This is what Senior Arleth Guzman and Junior Alexis Chavez had to say when I asked them the following questions:

What made you take the decision to become a TA/what motivated you?

Arleth: “What motivated me to be a TA was that I would always see some in the classroom, so I always thought that was cool and it kind of makes you closer to the teachers you TA for, and make a closer relationship with the people in the classroom.”

Alexis: “What made me take the decision to be a TA was the opportunity to help a teacher. I got offered by Mr. Watson to be his TA, and I have no regrets on not saying no [to Mr. Watson’s offer].”

What has your experience as a TA been like?

Arleth: “It’s been really cool, because teachers are very understanding. If you need to do homework, they normally will excuse your TA duties to let you do the homework, and also because it’s not a big handful of things they make you do.”

Alexis: “It’s been fantastic, there are times when you get overwhelmed with work, and you just get tired of just going and going after your classes and doing work like grading, but other than that, the benefits are there you get to learn how the curriculum works, how the teachers grade you, and why they give you bad grades sometimes… It’s a learning experience for you and a learning experience for the teacher.”

Do you recommend other students to TA? If so, why?

Arleth: “I do, like I said, it makes a stronger connection with the teacher you’re TAing for… also if you are someone who is a bit behind on their work it’s like a small study hall… it’s a win-win.”

Alexis: “Yes, I definitely recommend people to TA because for one it’s a full elective credit per year… and you get an A in your gradebook. The best part of it is that you get to meet other students, and you can help your teacher with said students. You learn how they[the teachers] want to help you more than they want to help themselves.”

Although it is their first year as TAs, Arleth and Alexis work hard and are dedicated to helping their respected teachers. They show that by building your relationship with the teacher you’re assisting and their students, you can help them efficiently. 

I also asked for some advice from one of our high school counselors Ms. Brauhn. This is what she had to say when I asked her the following questions:

How does being a TA benefit students, other than by giving them more credits?

“They give them leadership skills, responsibility opportunities, and they are in a trusted position. The goal is that the other kids in the class look up to them.”

Do you recommend that high school students TA at least one year during high school? Why or why not?

“No, because I don’t think everyone is mature enough or has the desire to be a TA.”

Do colleges like to know if students were TA’s in high school?

“I think they would appreciate knowing because it shows a leadership role and responsibility, so it definitely benefits students going to college.”

We hope that the answers of Arleth Guzman, Alexis Chavez, and Ms. Brauhn cleared up some of your own questions. If you have any additional questions about being a TA, its new policies, or would simply like to see whether or not being a TA is for you, we encourage you to go give Ms. Brauhn a visit at Room 202.

Please visit our brief article discussing the new TA Policy: https://lseschoolnews.com/6902/news/teacher-assistan…licies-2022-2023/