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A good TA: priceless

Education
United States
Started October 21, 2026

These are images of quizzes I took in 3.091, Introduction to Solid-State Chemistry, in the fall of 1980. One is my very first exam at MIT, and getting 49 out of 100 was a soul-crushing experience. I can still picture the TA, Leszek Pawlowicz, PhD ’87, returning my paper. He had a big smile on…

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A good TA: priceless

MIT Technology Review (United States) | Oct 20, 2026

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CLAIM Posted by admin • Oct 21, 2026
Teaching quality matters as much to student success as course content, and institutions should measure and reward TAs accordingly.
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CLAIM Posted by admin • Oct 21, 2026
Excellent TAs should earn salaries and career advancement comparable to research scientists, not subsistence stipends.
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CLAIM Posted by admin • Oct 21, 2026
Teaching assistants should receive training in pedagogical techniques to maximize their effectiveness.
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CLAIM Posted by admin • Oct 21, 2026
Not all teaching assistants possess the skills necessary to effectively support students.
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CLAIM Posted by admin • Oct 21, 2026
Universities should hire professional instructors for introductory courses instead of relying on graduate students who have competing research obligations.
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CLAIM Posted by admin • Oct 21, 2026
The single smile and encouragement from one TA cannot replace systemic problems like underfunded departments and overcrowded sections.
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CLAIM Posted by admin • Oct 21, 2026
TAs should spend at least as many hours preparing lessons and feedback as they spend on their own research.
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CLAIM Posted by admin • Oct 21, 2026
Teaching assistants should be evaluated regularly to ensure they meet the needs of students.
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CLAIM Posted by admin • Oct 21, 2026
Teaching assistants should be compensated fairly for their contributions to student learning.
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CLAIM Posted by admin • Oct 21, 2026
Institutions should formally recognize and document which TAs excel at teaching, so their reputation follows them into future careers.
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