From the hospital delivery room to classrooms at Brock University, Amanda Hansen has developed a passion for teaching that has been nurtured in both environments.

The labour and delivery nurse at St. Catharines hospital is in the second year of an Applied Health Sciences master’s program specializing in nursing.

Since starting her graduate degree, Hansen has applied her health-care background to being a Brock teaching assistant for courses such as Nursing Ethics, Health Education, Nursing Theory, Experiencing Illness and Hospitalization, and Trends and Issues in Professional Nursing.

“I’ve had a lot of teaching experience in the clinical setting and I knew I loved teaching parents about labour and delivery,” Hansen said, “but my TA experience created a keen interest and drive to refine my teaching skills.”

Hansen believes teaching assistants are critical to student learning.

“I want my students to come away feeling positive and supported,” she said. “Through every teaching experience I participate in, I am giving of myself and being in the moment with my students.”

Hansen has attended TA workshop programming offered by the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation (CPI). The program, which continues through November, is open to TAs, lab demonstrators and markers. Students who attend the workshops earn credits toward a TA certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.

Hansen has found the CPI courses beneficial and encourages TAs to participate. For her, the opportunity to refine teaching skills has carried over in a number of ways, both professionally and personally.

“Regardless of your TA experience, the CPI program nurtures your teaching and learning journey,” she said. “Individuals who reflect on their teaching experiences will use that information to learn about themselves with the intention to evolve, become valuable team members, teachers and leaders in the workplace.”

Register online for the CPI TA Workshop Series at brocku.ca/cpi. All sessions are held in ST103.

Saturday, Nov. 4:

9 to 10:20 a.m. — Helping Your Students Prepare for Exams (1 credit). Facilitated by Maggie Whitfield, A-Z Learning Student Services.

10:30 to 11:50 a.m. — Responding to Disclosures (1 credit). Facilitated by Allison Cadwallader, Sexual Violence Support and Education Co-ordinator.

Saturday, Nov. 18:

9 to 10:20 a.m. — Marking Madness: Tips and Tricks for Effective Grading (1 credit). Facilitated by Jill Grose, ?Centre for Pedagogical Innovation.

10:30 to 11:50 a.m. — Experience Plus:? Know Yourself. Be Proud. Talk About Your Accomplishments. Facilitated by Pauline Dawson, Career Services.