Graduate Teaching Assistants (TAs) and undergraduate Peer Learning Assistants play a vital role in supporting high quality instruction at WPI. This team of Associate Directors focuses on the training, professional development, and recognition of TAs and PLAs. They work to improve the campus-wide PLA training program and enrich professional development opportunities for our TAs. They work with faculty to incorporate TAs and PLAs into effective teaching teams, and help departments and programs develop evaluation plans for their course assistants.
Michael Johnson
Associate Teaching Professor
Mathematical Sciences
Mike has served as a teaching mentor within the Mathematical Sciences Department since 2013, working with PLAs, TAs, and faculty colleagues to provide high quality instruction across the department. He is interested in the use of classroom technology to benefit both students and instructors.
Rudra Kafle
Assistant Teaching Professor
Physics
Rudra has been a key player in transforming introductory physics courses at WPI into a studio format. He has also developed a physics pedagogy course for TAs and PLAs in the department, and as co-PI of a PhysTEC grant is working to prepare future middle school and high school physics teachers.
Zoe Reidinger
Assistant Teaching Professor
Biomedical Engineering
Zoe has contributed to the planning and delivery of TA and PLA training since winning the TA of the Year award as a PhD student. Through several teaching grants and work with colleagues as well as TAs and PLAs, she aims to understand how different students experience academia and work toward a fully inclusive model of teaching.