My experience as a graduate teaching assistant has been nothing short of astounding. My supervisors have trusted me to complete various tasks that have induced personal growth and success for me as a future educator. I challenged myself to assist with lectures, grading, exam design, and updating course materials. Throughout this experience, my supervisors praised and supported me, motivating me to keep striving for excellence.

 Learning by observation is one of the most valuable aspects of this experience. I have absorbed many tips for commanding a classroom, interacting with students, and ensuring a lecture stays interesting. I have learned to "embrace the pause," giving students time to gather their thoughts before answering. When students hesitate to participate, I have seen instructors rephrase the question, encourage participation, or call on students. Boosting these student interactions ensures they pay attention, retain information, and are confident enough to apply the information by answering a question.

 This position has made me more well-rounded as an educator. This year of guided, practical experience has been integral to my skill set. My favorite aspects of being a Teaching Assistant have been the few lectures I have given and grading assignments. I enjoy paying attention to detail, reading students' thoughts, and seeing how they apply the course material. The most rewarding part is the opportunity to provide them with valuable and thoughtful feedback. I hope that they will be able to take my constructive comments and produce higher-quality work.