Below are the program levels within PETALS, along with descriptions of the responsibilities for Undergraduate Teaching Assistants (UTAs) at each level and the desired qualifications for each position.

PETALS Program Details

​What do UTAs do?

• Attend weekly instructional team meetings

• Develop skills needed for teaching and supporting student learning

• Learn course material and activities

• Learn basic course policies

• Learn teaching techniques and pedagogy relevant to the class

• Co-host 1–2 office hours per week with another UTA or a grad TA and/or assist students on SLACK

• Co-host exam review sessions

• Evaluate the UTA experience at the end of the semester

• Submit an end-of-semester reflection

• Facilitate in-class discussions and answer student questions when relevant

• Proctor exams when relevant

• Assist with the preparation of course materials​ ​when relevant

​​

Who can serve as an UTA?

• ​Any student who has previously completed the course they are applying to be an UTA for with an A- or higher

• Students who demonstrate high reliability (as evidenced by references)

• Students how demonstrate a strong understanding and grasp of biological material

• Students must have an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher and a major GPA of 3.5 or higher

• Students who demonstrate strong social skills (as evidenced by references and interviews)

Level 1: Undergraduate Teaching Assistant

​What do Sr. UTAs do?

Sr. UTAs carry out all of the same roles as UTAs plus those listed below.

Additional teaching responsibilities

• Train and mentor UTAs

• Hold one to two office hours per week alone or with an UTA and monitor Slack

• Host exam reviews

Leadership responsibilities

• Serve as a project manager for special projects

• Onboard and support new UTAs

Who can serve as a Sr. UTA?

• Many of our UTAs will be promoted to the status of Senior ATA during their tenure in the program. Especially considering the selective nature of our UTAs, Senior UTAs are superstars! This promotion evidences not only exceptional work but also a dedication to the position that has resulted in the knowledge needed to be an excellent mentor of new ATAs. These are the additional qualities required to be promoted to Senior UTA:

• At least one year of experience in PETALS

• High reliability (as evidenced during tenure on the staff, and stepping in for other UTAs whenever possible)

• Highly equitable (record of always doing their share)

• High conscientiousness (record of careful, thorough work)

• Highly compassionate (shows compassion for students, but not a push-over)

• High accountability (admits to own mistakes and cleans up own messes)

• Setting an excellent example for other UTAs (reliability, workload, attitude, policy adherence, professionalism)

• Knowledgeable (mastered many facets of the work, now trusted with training and mentorship of new UTAs)

Level 2: Senior Undergraduate Teaching Assistant

​What does the Lead UTA do?

Teaching and mentoring responsibilities

• Hold one exam review session before each exam

• Holding office hours is optional

• Lead material reviews for Sr. UTAs and UTAs as necessary

• Support UTAs and Sr. UTAs when they need tips for explaining content to students

• Organize monthly chats with Sr. UTAs and UTAs to allow students to ask career-based questions.

Leadership responsibilities

• Communicate directly with the instructor regarding any issues that Sr. UTAs or UTAs have noticed in the class.

• Supervise Sr. UTAs and UTAs (ensure policy adherence and that everyone is pulling their load)

• Assist in the UTA selection process: interviewing and selection decisions

• Assist with identifying Sr. UTAs' and UTAs’ strengths/weaknesses. Assist instructor in giving them a chance to contribute with strengths, grow with weaknesses

• Bi-weekly meeting with the instructor

• Assist with onboarding, training, and mentoring new UTAs

• Assist in organizing and hosting UTA orientation

• Help foster a sense of community among the instructional team

• Take on special projects of interest if relevant​

​

Who can serve as the Lead UTA?

We do not always have a Lead UTA. The Lead UTA is not determined by seniority but rather is selected based on qualifications. These are the additional qualities sought in Lead ATA. The following qualifications are what we look for in a Lead UTA.

• High conscientiousness (rarely misses anything)

• Highly compassionate (shows compassion for others, but not a push-over)

• Equitable (always doing their part)

• High reliability (record of going above and beyond to help and support other Sr. UTAs and UTAs)

• Problem solver (creative problem solver, helps to prevent problems)

• Highly observant (identifies unique strengths of Sr. UTAs and UTAs and uses/helps develop them)

• Sacrificing (willing to sacrifice extra time/effort in the rare case of an emergency)

• Highly accountable (admits to mistakes, cleans up own messes and learns from them, shares credit for successes)

• Highly knowledgeable (mastered virtually all facets of the work, a record of exceptional training/mentoring)

• The potential to be an excellent democratic leader​

Level 3: Lead Undergraduate Teaching Assistant