The Other Side
Posted by Abby Taylor at 11/12/2007 10:33 AM and is filed under uncategorized 
November 12, 2007
Teaching assistants should have another title mainly because I think they do more learning than teaching. When I signed up for this position, I thought it would be a lot easier than it is, but there is so much more to it than explaining the lab assignment each week. Don’t get me wrong, it’s one of the best jobs I’ve ever had, and all the lessons I’ve learned have been good ones.
Being a TA has made me understand my professors a lot better, and really appreciate all of the hard work that goes into being a good one. Last month, an accreditation team visited the School of Journalism and Broadcasting (J & B to consider it for reaccredidation (a process that takes place every six years). The accreditation team had several meetings with students about the school and what we liked and disliked. As soon as I heard the team was meeting with students, I knew I wanted to be one of them.
Teaching assistants should have another title mainly because I think they do more learning than teaching. When I signed up for this position, I thought it would be a lot easier than it is, but there is so much more to it than explaining the lab assignment each week. Don’t get me wrong, it’s one of the best jobs I’ve ever had, and all the lessons I’ve learned have been good ones.
Being a TA has made me understand my professors a lot better, and really appreciate all of the hard work that goes into being a good one. Last month, an accreditation team visited the School of Journalism and Broadcasting (J & B to consider it for reaccredidation (a process that takes place every six years). The accreditation team had several meetings with students about the school and what we liked and disliked. As soon as I heard the team was meeting with students, I knew I wanted to be one of them.
An adviser once told me that because the College of Arts and Sciences is so big, it lacks the student-centered culture that the other colleges on campus have. I haven’t found this to be true. Sure, the college is big, but the JB School is not, and it has a great culture. I know my professors personally, and I am friends with the people in my classes. I love the journalism school, and I can’t imagine being anywhere else.
I had fully prepared to tell the accreditation team this, along with how impressed I am with the efficiency of the school and the training of its faculty (all have years of experience in their fields of study). However, when the questions were asked, I didn’t get a chance to answer. There were about 15 other students in the room, and they all had the same great things to say about not only the school, but also our professors.
Names like Mike Sowell, Harry Hicks, Ray Murray and Gina Noble were mentioned multiple times, and students gave examples of how these professors had helped them, not just in the classroom, but also in their lives. I know that when I have worries or need advice about my future, I go straight to my professors. That’s something I never imagined doing when I applied at OSU. I thought every one of my classes would have 100 people in it, and the professor would have no idea who I was. It’s not like that at OSU.
Although journalism has more than its fair share of great professors, it’s not the only school. I am so thankful for OSU’s commitment to quality education. Donors like the Morsanis realize the importance of faculty to a university. On Friday, I went to a reception where the College of Education announced the Morsanis’ $5 million gift. A portion of this gift will establish two faculty chairs, ensuring that OSU continues to attract and maintain professors who are dedicated to their jobs.
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I am a TA for Ray Murray, one of the best teachers I’ve ever had. He says he’s not photogenic so he held up two ads with me in them that are usually hanging by his desk. |
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This is Gina Noble, another great journalism professor who has helped me SO much throughout the years. |
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Dr. Darcy is a great example of a dedicated teacher. Here he is last year with my fundraising for a nonprofit class. Even though his schedule was full, he taught this class because he felt it was something students needed to learn. It was a great experience, and I got the best internship of my life through this course. |
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GO EAGLES!! The Hennessey Eagles won Friday night, continuing the undefeated season and moving on to the second round of the playoffs! |
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