Teaching assistantships offer graduate students the opportunity to support the learning of undergraduate students while building skills that will support them in their academic careers.
ExpecTAtions (Teaching Assistant Training)
The starting point for anyone who wishes to serve as a Waterloo Engineering teaching assistant (TA) is to register in the Faculty of Engineering (FOE) Teaching Assistant training: ExpecTAtions.
ExpecTAtions is mandatory TA training offered over a two-week period to graduate students registered in the Faculty of Engineering. This training is held each term in September/October, January/ February and May/June. Students who attend and complete all required training components receive a certificate noting their achievement. Currently, we deliver ExpecTAtions virtually with synchronous and asynchronous components, which takes approximately 5 to 10 hours over the two-week period to successfully complete the required components.
Registration
Eligible graduate students will be invited to self-register for ExpecTAtions_Engineering, ExpecTAtions_Arch, and ExpecTAtions_BET by the Office of the Associate Dean, Teaching & Student Experience (ADTSE) and their department contact:
- Chemical Engineering (CHE): Sarah Fischer
- Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE): Stephanie Kears
- Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business (CONRAD): Tracie Wilkinson
- Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE): Brianne Brown
- Management Science and Engineering (MSE): Andrea Christian
- Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering (MME): Tanya Yoworski
- Systems Design Engineering (SYDE and BME grad programs): SYDE grad programs — Tara Campbell; BME grad programs — Jamiee Kropf
- School of Architecture (ARCH): Mark Anderton
Once students successfully register for ExpecTAtions_FOE/ExpecTAtions_Arch/ ExpecTAtions_BET, they will receive a confirmation from the LEARN system. Please be aware that the ExpecTAtions course will not become visible on the student's LEARN page until the actual start date of the training.
Self-registration dates and training dates for ExpecTAtions_FOE, ExpecTAtions_Arch, and ExpecTAtions_BET will be posted on this site.
Upcoming Teaching Assistant Trainings
ExpecTAtions_Arch Winter 2026
Graduate Teaching Assistant Training for TAs in the School of Architecture
For all Teaching Assistants in the School of Architecture (Offered every term)
Self-Registrations on LEARN will remain open between January 5th at 7pm EST — January 11th 2026 till 7pm EST.
Registered students will receive a confirmation of registration from the LEARN system. The ExpecTAtions course will appear on their LEARN home page on the first day of training.
Dates for training: January 12th 9am to January 23rd 2026 11.59pm.
Modality: Online (with synchronous, asynchronous components).
Asynchronous components: Open on LEARN on May 18th at 9 am.
Synchronous components: MS Teams links for 1-hour synchronous sessions will be sent to registered students.
Orientation session (May 18) and Check-In session (May 25)
ExpecTAtions_FOE Winter 2026
ExpecTAtions_FOE Winter 2026
Graduate Teaching Assistant Training in the Faculty of Engineering for the following Departments:
- Chemical Engineering (CHE)
- Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)
- Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)
- Management Science and Engineering (MSE)
- Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering (MME)
- Systems Design Engineering (SYDE and BME grad programs)
- CONRAD School of Entrepreneurship and Business (CONRAD) PhD Student only
Self-Registrations on LEARN will remain open between January 12th at 7pm EST and January 25th 2026 till 7pm EST.
Registered students will receive a confirmation of registration from the LEARN system. The ExpecTAtions course will appear on their LEARN home page on the first day of training.
Dates for training: January 26th 9am to February 6th 2026 11.59pm.
Modality: Online (with synchronous, asynchronous components).
Asynchronous components: Open on LEARN on May 18th at 9 am.
Synchronous components: MS Teams links for 1-hour synchronous sessions will be sent to registered students.
Orientation session (Jan 26) and Check-In session (Feb 2)
ExpecTAtions_Arch Spring 2026
Graduate Teaching Assistant Training for TAs in the School of Architecture
For all TAs in the School of Architecture (Offered every term)
Self-Registrations on LEARN will remain open between May 11th at 8pm EST — May 17th 2026 till 8pm EST.
Registered students will receive a confirmation of registration from the LEARN system. The ExpecTAtions course will appear on their LEARN home page on the first day of training.
Dates for training: May 18th 9am to May 29th 2026 11.59 pm.
Modality: Online (with synchronous, asynchronous components).
Asynchronous components: Open on LEARN on May 18th at 9 am.
Synchronous components: MS Teams links for 1-hour synchronous sessions will be sent to registered students.
Orientation session (May 18) and Check-In session (May 25)
Upcoming Teaching Development Events
Teaching Development Event (Upgrading Lecture Delivery with Theatre training techniques)
Back by popular demand. We ran this in-person workshop in the Spring term and had a lot of fun. You do not have to be an aspiring actor to benefit from theatre training techniques. Join us for an entertaining afternoon.
Friday, February 6, 2026
2pm to 4:00 pm (give us time for lots of active participation)
In-person: Faculty Hall (PSE 7363 and 7303)
Please click on the event title to complete the event registration form.