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The UGTA's are undergraduate teaching assistants. They lead the discussion sessions for the math 105/ 106/ 107 courses. In the discussion they clarify concepts, help with homework problems as well as giving worksheets and quizzes. UGTA's are also responsible for marking homework for their discussion session. This term the UGTAs are Travis Willse, Steve Crane, Josiah Thornton, Aaron Henner, Eric Boyd, Krista Heim, Matt McKee, Zack Almquist, Tom Denton, Jaime Wren, Lauren Weiner, Chrissy Jo Serviss, David Jordan, Nathan Collins and myself. To be an UGTA one must take the Math 407 seminar with Cathie Trigueiro. In the seminar all of the material for the courses is reviewed. In each class, every student presents a problem up on the board. This gives each prospective UGTA practice standing up in front of a class and allows for discussion of teaching practices.
Some UGTA's are math majors looking for more experience in math and the few hours of pay that it accompanies. Other math majors like me have their mind set on teaching math as a career. Especially for those of us who want to teach, the UGTA position is truly invaluable. In just the past few weeks that I have been leading my discussion I have gained confidence and am more comfortable in front of a classroom. When reviewing homework problems I don't just think of how to solve them, but also the best ways to explain how to solve and understand each problem. It is an interesting experience being on the other side of the classroom. One must be professional and mature for although UGTAs are undergraduates as well, we have been chosen for our mathematical and personal skills to lead these discussion groups.
I tutor many students in math, because I love it and because I know that every minute of it helps to shape the teacher that I will be. But having the opportunity to stand up in front of 30 of my peers and help their understanding of the subject is just
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