By Travis Wu
A student teacher aide, or TA, is a student who assists a teacher with classroom tasks such as grading, organizing materials, and helping students. At FVHS, there are many forms of TAs: standard teacher aides, peer tutors, and lab assistants. But what’s it really like to be a TA? To find out, I spoke with several student aides who shared their experiences, challenges, and what they’ve learned from being on the other side of the classroom.
Senior Warren Mach, who TA’d for Eddie Lavrov’s AP Computer Science A class, found purpose in making teachers’ lives easier.
“My favorite part about TAing is being able to help my teachers finish their grading on time,” Mach said. “Plus, it makes students happy since they can see their grades being released faster.”
But with that help comes the realization of just how demanding teaching can be.
“Even something that seems so easy still takes a while to grade, especially when you have over 100 students,” Mach said.
Through the experience, he gained a new level of appreciation for the effort teachers put into each assignment.
Some students choose to TA for their favorite teachers. Others take on the role to fill gaps in their schedule. But either way, most agree that it’s a surprisingly valuable experience. Senior Orson Nguyen, who is currently a TA for the same AP Computer Science A class, admitted that the extra flexibility was part of the appeal to becoming a TA.
“It’s like a study hall where I can catch up on work from other classes,” Nguyen said.
Not every day is busy, and sometimes being a TA means having a quieter period to recharge. For senior Daniel Phung, that balance of responsibility and freedom was exactly what he was looking for.
“I enjoy being able to work on homework and study while still at school,” Phung said, though he also noted that grading and organizing papers can be “more frustrating than it appears.”
For students looking to build strong relationships with teachers, contribute to the classroom community, or even just have a flexible period during the day, becoming a TA offers a rewarding behind-the-scenes experience.
