Teaching Fellows

To the Editors of the Crimson:

I read your letter to the editor in the Crimson (Friday. Feb 24) with considerable interest. As a Teaching Fellow in the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology. I would like to make several comments on this situation First you presented several examples of absolutely deplorable conduct by several teaching fellows which your son was subjected to. There can be no apology for these honor stories: it appears that these graduate students should be barred from further teaching while they are here. Part of the observed phenomena may be a consequence of the fact that some graduate students are teaching not because they want to but rather because they have to we for a departmental requirement or simply because they need the money). This situation is certainly not conducive for "good teaching."

However, it has been my experience (both in my Department and elsewhere) that the majority of teaching fellows are conscientious persons who enjoy working with their students and look forward to each section. Most of us are well-prepared for our lectures, design reasonable and worthwhile problem sets. Conduct meaningful discussions, and devote considerable time and thought to the grading of reports and examinations. As well, there is the Harvard-Danforth Center for Teaching and Learning, which conducts seminars and discussion groups and offers counseling, all for the purpose of improving the quality of teaching by Harvard faculty, instructors and teaching fellows (the teaching fellows mentioned in your letter should make intensive use of this facility)

So, "Harvard Parent," you have the right and obligation to complain to the appropriate department chairperson about mediocre and incompetent teaching fellows But, please take the time to thank the highly capable teaching fellows, too--those who enjoy what we're doing and who find your sons and daughters to be stimulating and challenging to work with. A Biology Teaching Fellow