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The
Hiring Committee evaluates applicants holistically, considering grades earmed
in undergraduate and graduate courses, especially those in writing and
literature; writing samples; GRE verbal scores; and letters of recommendation
from former teachers and/or supervisors. Aside from these general measures,
the committee looks specifically for one or more of the following indicators
of teaching ability:
- Classroom teaching
experience, especially secondary or college teaching in composition or
literature.
Some
applicants have taught independently before they apply here. Those who
arrive with MA degrees in hand often have been full- or part-time
college faculty. Still others have taught at the secondary level.
- Experience working for a
lead professor, especially in grading papers or conducting discussion
sections. Some applicants have worked previously as teaching
assistants at the university level or have been IAs in this Department.
In these roles, they have practiced various aspects of teaching reading
and writing, even when they have not conducted classes independently.
- Experience working as a
tutor, especially supervised experience in a writing lab. A number of
applicants have worked as tutors. Some have even earned tutoring
credentials. Experience as a tutor gives applicants a number of skills
they need for teaching composition.
- Experience as a writer or
editor, especially with line editing or copy editing. Some
applicants have worked as technical writers or editors. Such applicants
have a advantage as writing teachers, especially in working with
students individually and in marking essays.
- Experience in training
other people and in speaking before groups. Applicants
sometimes have experience in training others (one recent applicant was a
military trainer). Others have held jobs that required them to make
presentations. Both types of work involve activities similar to
classroom teaching.
- Evaluation of applicant’s
teaching potential in letters of reference. In letters of
recommendation, faculty and employers often give evidence of an
applicant’s teaching potential or ability—e.g., capacity to speak
effectively and organize presentations, self-confidence in addressing
groups, interest in helping others.
- Evidence of enthusiasm for
and realistic expectations about teaching. Applicants
submit a statement explaining why they are seeking a position. This
statement allows the committee to assess whether the candidate is
genuinely interested in teaching and clearly understands the
expectations of the job.
IA/TA
Application
Texas
State Employment Application
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