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 |