Written by Maya Haupt, UF/IFAS Animal Sciences student.
From the first day that I walked into my Introduction to Animal Sciences Lab, I knew that it would be a special semester. Both Amie Imler and Allyson Trimble created a fun, supportive environment that allowed me to grow as both a student and a person. In this lab, the teaching assistants (TAs) take a central role in educating students, as they each have their own rotation to teach. I quickly realized how much the TAs enjoyed their time and decided that I wanted to offer my time in the following semesters.
Being a TA for the Intro to Animal Sciences Lab is unique in that your main role is that of an educator, rather than simply grading assignments. Each week, you choose a portion of the lab to learn, study, and teach. This has vastly increased my ability to articulate my thoughts, reduce my anxiety around public speaking, and foster confidence around my knowledge. The confidence I’ve gained around public speaking has been helpful in other aspects of life as well. This past summer I completed an internship in which we had to educate large groups about procedures and safety while riding horses. While some of my peers struggled with that skill, I felt well prepared from my time as a TA.
In my first semester as a TA, I felt overwhelmed and anxious at the thought of speaking to the class. This is most memorable in labs where we were introducing the students to large animals that they may have never interacted with before. It’s exciting to be able to introduce students to unfamiliar animals, but it also comes with a feeling of responsibility to make their first experience a good one.
One of my favorite labs consists of a rotation where we teach the students how to determine the sex of chicks. I get to handle the baby chicks, talk about the process of sexing, and help the students as they navigate the new information. Having the knowledge to answer the questions that they ask continues to grow my confidence, and occasionally having to direct the question to one of our instructors allows all of us to problem solve and think critically.
From this experience, I’ve made countless connections with other TAs, as well as students from each class. I now find myself greeting many past students or fellow TAs in the halls of the Animal Sciences building, and it truly feeiandmily. In addition to a connection with peers, serving as a teaching assistant allows you to build your professional network with instructors in your area of study. These are connections I will carry with me and continue to cherish.
For anyone on the fence about becoming a TA, I would say that it is absolutely a worthwhile experience, and a valuable addition to your time at this university. Having the opportunity to grow your communication skills is a necessary asset, and working as a teaching assistant provides the perfect environment. The skills gained from serving as a teaching assistant expand your leadership capabilities that will be applied though life. I will take these lessons with me throughout my professional career and beyond, and I will forever be grateful for this privilege.
Find more information about the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences on our website. Stay in touch with us on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Read more on UF/IFAS ANS here: http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/animalsciencesdept/.
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