Tutorial Assistants (TAs) are volunteers that help students learn by removing
roadblocks from their learning such as setup issues, or by offering one on one
help during exercises where's it's impractical for an instructor to answer
questions from everyone in the tutorial.
What Does a TA Do?
As a TA your primary purpose is to help students. Your secondary purpose may
be to learn from the instructor, but don't let it interfere with your primary
purpose. Don't bring a laptop, take a spot at a table, or take a handout. Do
listen and learn when you're not helping.
Help with diagnosing platform-specific problems on a platform the instructor
doesn't know or use.
Give general Python help with exercises for students that are relatively new
to Python.
Give subject-specific help with exercises where you have expertise in the
tools or concepts being taught.
Try to be visible to students who need help, but invisible to the instructor
and not distract from their teaching.
By default, don't ask questions and don't correct the instructor, unless
they've said they want that. They'd love to hear your feedback after the
tutorial, but during a tutorial it may interefere with their teaching.
Ask the instructor how else you can help.
Enjoy your experience! Assisting in a tutorial is a very rewarding
experience, helping participants get unstuck, seeing their ah-hah moments, and
getting to know them. In large tutorials teachers can't make connections with
very many students - but you can with a few.
Help people new to PyCon feel welcome. Reach out to wallflowers during
breaks.
Join us for the catered snacks and lunch on us.
How Do I Volunteer?
Add an entry to the table below. Indicate the slots for which you're
available, and list your expertise areas so we know where you're best suited
to help. This information will be shared with Instructors who are looking for
more TAs.
Show up at the Tutorial Preparation
Sessions to meet
instructors, get last minute assignments to assist in tutorials, and help
tutorial participants with laptop setup.
Show up during the Tutorial days to offer ad hoc tutorial support.
TA Volunteers
Wed a.m.
Wed p.m.
Thu a.m.
Thu p.m.
Contact Info
Expertise and Notes
yes
yes
no
no
contact@example.com
10 years using Python, 6 with numpy, some Django
How Do I Get Picked?
Wait to be contacted by Instructors. They may ask questions to be sure you'd be
a good match for their tutorial.
If you don't hear ahead of time, show up at the Tutorial Support sessions or on
Tutorial Days to help out.
If you get an assignment, edit your availability in the table above or remove
your name entirely.
Tutorial Assistants (TAs) are volunteers that help students learn by removing roadblocks from their learning such as setup issues, or by offering one on one help during exercises where's it's impractical for an instructor to answer questions from everyone in the tutorial.
What Does a TA Do?
How Do I Volunteer?
TA Volunteers
How Do I Get Picked?
Wait to be contacted by Instructors. They may ask questions to be sure you'd be a good match for their tutorial.
If you don't hear ahead of time, show up at the Tutorial Support sessions or on Tutorial Days to help out.
If you get an assignment, edit your availability in the table above or remove your name entirely.