Summer Orientation for New TOs
As a way to introduce new TOs to the Writing Program and College Writing, an orientation is held every year just before the beginning of the Fall semester. Orientation is required of all new TOs, although veteran teachers (TOs who have already taught one year in the Writing Program) are invited to attend. Orientation consists of a series of theoretical and practical sessions designed to prepare TOs for teaching College Writing. New TOs must attend all sessions without exception.
Practicum I and II: ENG698B Introduction to the Teaching of Writing
Practicum I and II are taken by all incoming TOs in their first year working in the Writing Program; Practicum I is held in the fall semester (where TOs earn 2 graduate credits), and Practicum II is held in the spring semester (where TOs earn 1 graduate credit). TOs must pass both semesters to remain in good standing in the WP. The course is envisioned as a pedagogical mentorship group led by a Writing Program faculty member and a graduate peer mentor (GAD for Teacher Training). It fosters a pedagogical community among instructors within the program and supports the consistent application of Writing Program principles and philosophies.
In addition to regular class meetings, TOs are also observed by Practicum faculty and graduate mentors.
Practicum III: ENG 698V, Special Topics on the Teaching of Writing
Practicum III is the third (and final) part of a TOs official training offered by the Writing Program. TOs take this course in their third semester teaching in the WP, after they have successfully completed Practicum I and II. Practicum III invites TOs to focus on broader pedagogical issues to enable reflection on their own teaching practices and to begin the process of compiling a teaching portfolio and/or teaching philosophy. TOs earn 1 pass/fail credit for 698V and must pass the course to remain in good standing in the Writing Program.
Fall General Meetings
Near the start of each fall semester, the Writing Program holds an all-staff General Meeting. All Writing Program instructors are required to attend. This is the only time during the Fall semester that we gather as a program. During the meeting, Directors share important information concerning curricular changes, Writing Program policies, and other information crucial to the upcoming academic year.
Spring Symposium
Each year, the Writing Program sponsors an all-staff Spring Symposium focused on an aspect of the study and teaching of writing. All Writing Program instructors are required to attend. This is the only time during the Spring semester that we gather as a program. Spring Symposium typically takes place on-campus, in-person, near the end of January. Check the WP Newsletter for more information.
Workshops and Events
As a part of ongoing professional development, the Writing Program offers a rotating series of workshops and/or events related to the study and teaching of writing. All activities are advertised in the weekly WP Newsletter and listed on the WP events calendar.
Committees
Graduate TOs and part-time lecturers are invited to participate in a variety of Writing Program committees, where they can helping to shape our curriculum, assessment, and publications. A call for volunteers will be announced in the WP Newsletter at the start of each academic year or semester. Committee opportunities could include the following (or other ad hoc committees):
Additional Opportunities
College Writing University Without Walls (UWW, UW+) Teacher
UWW offers online sections of College Writing during the summer and sometimes during the fall or winter. These courses are contingent upon enrollment, and they are not guaranteed to be offered year after year.
Writing, Identity, and Power (Englwrit 111) Teacher
Englwrit 111 is an intensive reading and writing course designed for students who need additional preparation before taking College Writing. This four-credit course is a part of General Education at University of Massachusetts Amherst, carrying Interdisciplinary (I) and Diversity: United States (DU) designations, and it is overseen by the University Writing Committee, which reviews first-year writing at the University every five years. TOs teaching Englwrit 111 for the first time complete six hours of orientation plus a practicum during the fall semester. If you are interested in teaching Englwrit 111, contact Anne Bello.
Graduate Assistant Directors (GADs)
Each year the WP hires graduate students to serve as Graduate Assistant Directors. Most of these are one-year positions with a 1-1 teaching load in College Writing; specific opportunities vary from year to year. GADs are experienced graduate instructors who serve as mentors to new TOs, work to enhance our teaching community, assist with special projects, or work in the Writing Center. For example, GADs for Teacher Training attend weekly Practicum I and II classes for new TOs, visit classes of new TOs, are involved in the planning and running of orientation, and assist with the Writing Program’s online resource database while GADs for Digital Publication and Technology assist with all the digital publication and technology needs of the Writing Program. Any graduate student instructor in the Writing Program who has taught two semesters of College Writing is encouraged to apply.
Waiver Application Reader
Waiver application readers review essays submitted by students who wish to waive the College Writing requirement. Readers are typically hired on an hourly basis in the summer and winter; this position may be dependent on the number of waiver applications submitted in a given year.
Assistant Director, Junior-Year Writing Program: (10 hours/week)
At UMass Amherst, undergraduate students are required to fulfill two writing requirements: First-Year Writing (College Writing) and Junior-Year Writing in their major. The Assistant Director for the JYWP assists the Associate Director of the JYWP and the WP in managing the online system for new courses and 5-year course reviews, maintaining records on JYW courses in each major, corresponding with departments across campus, and contributing to the development of pedagogical resources for instructors of JYW courses. This is a half-time administrative position that gives graduate students a glimpse into campus-wide curricula and faculty governance. This position is open to graduate writing instructors across campus, and it is designed to be in addition to a TA/TOship, which includes TOships in the Writing Program and English department.
Writing Center Assistant Director
This is a full-time assistantship that offers hands-on experience in writing program administration and is an opportunity to tutor student writers, provide support for a large staff of undergraduate and graduate student tutors, and participate in the Writing Center’s ongoing development.
Writing Center Graduate Writing Tutors
Writing tutors work with writers in 45-minute tutorial sessions, engage in ongoing professional development about writing and writing education, and assist with campus outreach in faculty or instructor workshops. Graduate writing tutors can work up to five hours per week and must be able to work either a Sunday or evening shift.