Trust

When I was chosen to become a T.A exactly one year ago, I was very excited about the experience that I was going to have. In addition to feeling compatible, I felt that I was chosen because my professor saw a person she can completely rely on in me andI felt the same way. From that day forward, I made it my goal to always perform to the best of my ability and to carry on the responsibility that was given to me by my professor. My fellow T.A and I had the opportunity to give a few classes in their entirety when our Professor was out of town or simply could not make it. We saw this as our job, but mostly; we felt it was our privilege to do so while she was gone. It made us feel responsible, mature, and accomplished. It was definitely one of my most fond memories of the T.A program.

Recently however, we were told that from now on, we would have to always have a substitute professor with us in the room when our main professor was not able to make it.

I am aware that we are approaching the end of the semester now, and that there probably will not be anymore classes where we would have to take over for the professor. I still however feel the need to express my disagreement with the idea that two fully capable T.As should not give a 50 minute class to a group of well behaved students every now and then.
It completely defeats the purpose of having T.As. We are there to help the professor and run their work for them when they are gone. If we needed someone to watch over us doing so, I do not think we should have been chosen for this position.

My hope is that this will not continue in the future. It is important for the T.As to feel the responsibility a professor feels when giving a class.