Teacher Apprenticeships
A Unique Experiential Learning Opportunity for Majors
Oliver Wlasiuk ‘24 (he/him).
The Department of Philosophy is proud to offer our students various experiential learning opportunities (ELOs). In the fall, three students participated in our teaching apprenticeships (TAs) ELO option. This ELO allows students to participate in college teaching by working closely with professors as they develop and teach their classes. The TAs’s experiences vary depending on the class. They might be able to help build syllabi, mentor students in and out of the classroom, lead review sessions, review drafts of papers, and more.
Students Anna Albright ‘24, Isabella Pack ‘24, and Oliver Wlasiuk ‘24 pursued TA positions with Professor Jennifer Baker. The TA position is customizable for students. Wlasiuk summaries his TA experience, “My TA duties included holding occasional review sessions throughout the semester that Dr. Baker and I scheduled, showing up to class, (re)reading all the material, making sure I understand everything at a sufficient level, and weekly meetings with Dr. Baker and the other TAs; Anna and Bella. My favorite part about being a TA was the review sessions because I like helping people understand philosophy, and, maybe more importantly, I gained a deeper understanding of all the material and the language of philosophy as a whole.” This unique immersive learning provided Wlasiuk with a deeper level of comprehension and allowed him to tutor students taking the philosophy course. Albright comes away from the TA position with a similar feeling, saying, “While understanding philosophical principles is a feat on its own, I find it more challenging and rewarding to explain these principles to other students. While deepening my understanding, I learned how to effectively communicate abstract ideas to others.” This is why the TA position offers a well-rounded experience for participants. It enriches a student’s understanding of philosophy, provides one-on-one mentorship with faculty, cultivates community building with other TAs, and allows the TA to give back by engaging with peers who are just beginning their philosophy studies.
Anna Albright ‘24 (she/her).
Albright’s TA position was with Professor Baker’s Biomedical Ethics course. For Albright, this ELO appealed to her because she hopes “to eventually continue my studies in medical ethics by attending graduate school. I thought that working as a TA would be great practice for future teaching endeavors. Another big reason I decided to become a TA was the opportunity to work with Dr. Baker, as she is just the best!” Albright’s experience highlights another benefit of the TA position. This ELO is an excellent opportunity to gain insight into a future profession the student is considering pursuing.
Albright’s interest in pursuing a TA position is due to the impact studying philosophy has had on her. She notes, “Philosophy courses have given me an invaluable insight into the foundations of humanity and morality. The ethical framework I’ve learned throughout my academic career in philosophy has given me the knowledge to navigate ethical dilemmas.”
Isabella Pack ‘24 (she/her).
Isabella Pack shares a similar sentiment, “Philosophy was like a beacon in the night. I came to college initially thinking I wanted to be pre-med, but this allowed me to fall in love with school and law all over again.” Pack continues, “The first class I ever took was with Dr. Neufeld, Philosophy, Law, and the Arts, and I have been hooked on philosophy ever since. It allowed me to, one, fall in love with reading all over again and, two, read things that are thought-provoking and make me question the ways they impact me, the people around me, or even society.” She attributes how studying philosophy results in skill building, “Through philosophy, I have seen my critical thinking, writing, and logical reasoning skills increase through the various years of classes here at CofC.” These are skills beneficial in most professions as well as in life and will serve these students well in their future pursuits.