Week 4: Maintaining the Workplace

This week has been very difficult for me in respect to maintaining efficiency in the workplace. In my position I serve as a supervisor/mediator between TA’s and faculty. One of the TA’s specifically seems not to fully understand the role that she was chosen for and is starting to fall behind in her work. Her falling behind is so apparent that even the cohort of 22 high school students that she works personally with are beginning to notice and ask questions. The questions do not seem to be coming from a place of concern, but rather a place of frustration. The cohort she works with specifically has been in the program for three years now and they have already had other sets of TAs so they have a high expectation for what a TA is supposed to do. During the work day, she leaves unannounced for a 20 min at a time without anyone knowing where she has gone. We find out afterwards she goes to a lab to check on her work during the time she is supposed to be working. Overall there have been a ton of issues on top of that. Personally, I have tried to sit down with her to discuss any issues that are arising, but it seems like her priority is not geared toward the scholars she works with. Luckily, every Friday we hold meetings where we receive feedback that include concerns, any highs or lows of the week, or any other comments. These meetings are split up by cohort (Soph., Jun., Sen.) then the TAs have a meeting with me. After the meetings me and all of the administration meet up to discuss what feedback we have from each cohort. During this meeting we heard the feedback scholars had about her and it has been noted by our director. On Monday we are having a meeting with the senior TA team of three and will address any issues and just make known what the expectations are.