TA Program Promotes Student Agency and Mentorship

By Dr. Jennifer Lovelace, Director of Student Life & Leadership 

Student agency means that our St. Agnes Stars are powerful actors in their own lives and in their school. Students lead teams and clubs. They direct plays. They plan assemblies and dances. And so much more . . . and in these times and spaces, educators and students come together for work, play, and engagement.  

In college and graduate school, many of our educators participated in Teaching Assistant (TA) programs as part of their education, so last year the Upper School decided to use that model to pilot a new initiative that would encourage more student agency. And the program would provide another “place” for educators and students to come together. But would students want to be a TA? Would they even be interested?  

Participation in the TA program was voluntary for both educators and students–and the response was robust! Students had to submit an application and resume and answer the question, "How can I help?"  We rolled out the pilot program with 15 educators and 29 students participating. 

All year long, when they weren’t busy with their academic work, our students worked alongside their educators, helping them prepare for classes, work on school events, set up leadership or lab activities, take documents to the Dean or other educators, or help organize classrooms. 

It wasn’t uncommon for a TA to pop into her educator’s room and ask, “Do you have something for me to do?” Students are eager to help and collaborate, and while they are working, they have great conversations and develop a deeper mentoring relationship with a teacher.

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive with everyone giving the program an A+. Building on that success, we are excited to launch the TA program this school year following fall break. 

The program, which is open to 10th-12th grade students has a few stipulations: 

• Preference is given to students who don’t have leadership roles already. 
• Students can TA only for educators whose classes they are not in currently and won’t be taking in the future.
• TAs can not assess other students’ work.  

SAA senior, Alyssa King, calls being a TA “a great way to get involved,” and says that “it has taught her leadership skills, communication with teachers and students, and the importance of accountability.” 

One student TA asked to be placed with an English teacher because she wanted an “inside glimpse” into the profession she hopes to join after college. 

Junior Ellie Jarrell says, “Two of the Four Pillars that guide everything we do here at the Academy include community and service, and both of those pillars are clearly exemplified in nearly everything that TAs do.”She has been able “to develop an emotional connection with a trusted faculty member.”   

To learn more about the TA program and how to participate, contact Dr. Lovelace or Dean Patterson.