Fall 2026 TA Training
TAs will be required to attend TA Training whether they are new TAs or experienced, returning TAs. Both trainings are offered through CEETE and facilitated through Canvas with synchronous portions. If you are a returning TA or new TA, please register through the appropriate link below. Both trainings will have Canvas courses that you must self enroll in!
New Educator Orientation – In Person
The New Educator Orientation (NEO) program is designed to help TAs feel comfortable and confident using best practices in teaching during their time in the classroom. TAs will participate in interactive workshops intended to create space to learn from one another and from training facilitators on a variety of topics: active learning strategies, engaging students, grading fairly and effectively, and more. The program also provides TAs with information, resources, and training required as part of their employment.
NEO will be presented in-person again this semester! All sessions will be held in Wendt Commons August 25 and 26th. There will be asynchronous training facilitated in Canvas. There is approximately 10 hours of asynchronous work participants must complete before attending the synchronous sessions. By registering for NEO at the link below, you will be enrolled in the Canvas course and receive more information about the course, dates, and expectations as the training approaches.
NEO Participants will also need to register for the Graduate Assistant Equity Workshop to complete their reappointment requirement. Click here for more information.
Make sure that you also enroll in the Canvas course, which is linked in the registration form.
Until Tuesday 8/25: Independent work on asynchronous modules (approximately 10 hours)
Tuesday 8/25: 8:30am to 3:45pm Breakfast and Lunch provided
Wednesday 8/26: 8:30am to 11:00am Breakfast provided
Returning TA Training
Any TAs who have taught before in the College of Engineering and will teach again in Fall 2026 are required to take Returning TA Training (ReTA).
To satisfy this requirement, you must:
- Join the ReTA Canvas Course and complete the quiz. (NOTE: this Canvas course will be available on Monday, August 3rd)
Enroll in the Canvas course here
- Attend one Advanced Teaching Skills Workshop offered by CEETE.
This semester, we will be offering two opportunities to attend our Advanced TA Skills Workshop. This is a new workshop developed in partnership with CEETE and one of your fellow TAs from Mechanical Engineering!
You only need to attend one of the following dates:
- Wednesday, August 26th, 2-3:30 pm, Wendt Commons room 410
- Friday, September 4th, 9-10:30 am, Wendt Commons room 332
Register for Advanced Skills Workshop here
If you cannot attend either of these, please email Haley Briel at hbriel@wisc.edu.
If you would like to review content from NEO, click the button below.
Frequently Asked Questions
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When is NEO this year?
Participants will have access to the Canvas course and may work on those components of the training prior to our in-person training. The Canvas course must be completed by Friday, September 11th, 11:59 pm CST. The Canvas course and materials will be available to participants for the entire semester.
The in-person training will be on the 3rd floor of Wendt Commons on August 25-26th. Please join the Canvas course to receive direct communication about that training.
Should I register for NEO or the Returning TA Training?
The NEO program is intended for first time TAs and includes elements required for your appointment. If you have already taken NEO training, or the Graduate Assistants Equity Workshop, please register for the Returning TA Training. This will help you to avoid covering content you have already completed before. If you are not sure, you can reach out to CEETE ceete@engr.wisc.edu.
Where is NEO held?
All events for the NEO program take place in Wendt Commons, asynchronous course material will be facilitated in the official Canvas course.
Who should attend NEO?
New TAs in the College of Engineering and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences should attend NEO. If you were a TA previously, but not in the College of Engineering or College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, you may need to take NEO. We present content specific to these Colleges. Please ask your TA Coordinator or Administrator with questions about your requirements.
Am I required to attend NEO?
All new TAs in the College of Engineering and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are required to attend NEO. Because each university is different, even those who have attended TA or teacher training at another university must attend.
When is NEO offered?
NEO is offered at the beginning of Spring and Fall semesters, usually the Tuesday and Wednesday the week before classes start.
I can't make it to some or all of the NEO or Returning TA Training Program. What can I do to make up the requirement?
Due to the interactive nature of the webinar sessions, there is no complete way to make up missing those events. Ultimately, your TA Coordinator or TA Administrator will be enforcing your training requirements. Contact them to determine if your absence will be excused.
I’d like to present or coordinate a NEO workshop. Who do I contact?
Faculty, lecturers, and TAs can serve as workshop coordinators or volunteer as a guest speaker to share experiences and techniques. If interested in participating as a NEO speaker or coordinator, please contact CEETE, ceete@engr.wisc.edu.