1. Contract for PSYC 403: Practicum in Teaching of Psychology*
Student Assistant: Kara Kuhtreiber
Supervising Professor: Cynthia A. Prehar, PhD
Participating Course: Psychology Research 1: Descriptive and Correlational Methods (PSYC 291)
Semester: Spring 2015
A. Learning Goals/Objectives
1. Gain confidence in my knowledge of research methods, APA, and SPSS by being a resource for
Research Methods I students.
2. Form a professional relationship with the course instructor by collaborating with the instructor
regarding course planning and execution, assisting with instructor roles, and executing my
responsibilities on time.
3. Encourage and help Research Methods I students to succeed in this course and future studies by
being a positive presence and role model.
4. Gain experience in different teaching responsibilities, including grading, leading a review session,
tutoring, and maintaining a positive and authoritative presence in the classroom.
B. Responsibilities/Tasks
The professor assumes total responsibility for the course format, conduct, assignments, and
evaluations. The STA may assist in these duties, but will never be responsible for assigning final
grades or leading the teaching process in an unsupervised fashion. Specific STA responsibilities and
tasks include:
1. Keep confidential all information regarding evaluation of students’ performance in the
participating course. (S)he shall also keep confidential quiz and/or exam items prior to the
administration of any given quiz or exam. Moreover, sometimes students discuss personal
matters with teaching assistants. Details of such conversations should be kept confidential and
shared only with the instructor when necessary.
2. Behave professionally when interacting with students and/or the supervising professor. This
includes, but is not limited to:
a. Arriving to classes/meetings/office hours on-time.
b. Dressing appropriately for the settings & tasks at hand.
c. Maintaining professional boundaries both on- and off- campus.
d. Showing interest in the class & the learning process, both verbally and non-verbally.
3. Discuss differences of opinion over any aspect of the course with the supervising professor
only. Criticizing the course, professor, or students to other students or faculty members is
unprofessional. If, however, the STA is uncomfortable discussing a serious matter with the
supervising professor, the STA agrees to discuss the matter immediately with the Psychology
and Philosophy Department Chairperson.

2. 4. Collaborate with the supervising professor in planning the organization, requirements, and
execution of the course. During the collaboration process, the STA is encouraged to show
initiative by asking questions, contributing new ideas, and offering constructive feedback.
5. Meet with the supervising instructor weekly to discuss course-related topics. A regular
meeting time will be established by the start of the semester. If multiple STAs are working with
the professor in the same semester, they will meet at the same time for the weekly meetings.
6. Refrain from engaging in tasks which (s)he feels unqualified to execute. Instead, (s)he
should contact the supervising professor immediately to ask questions, discuss concerns, etc. In
the unlikely event of an emergency with a student, the STA should also contact appropriate
authorities (e.g., Campus Police, 911).
7. Attend scheduled classes of the course. The STA will arrive early whenever possible to
assist the professor in checking homework, setting up the room, etc.
8. The STA will be responsible for all course information assigned to students and presented
by the supervising professor. It is expected that the STA will read all course readings and
review assignments/projects before they are due.
9. The STA will provide a copy of his/her class notes (including notes on handouts) weekly for
the supervising instructor. A photocopy of the notes is acceptable if penmanship is legible.
10. Hold at least one regularly scheduled office hour per week. It is also expected that the STA
will offer to assist students with their work other times during the week if students request such
meetings. The office hour and location will be determined by the STA and instructor by the
first day of class.
11. Send at least one STA e-mail to the class via Blackboard every two weeks. The e-mail
should be sent by the 15th
and 30th
/31st
(last day) of each month, though the STA is welcome to
send e-mails anytime before those dates. The purpose of the e-mails is to build rapport between
students in the participating course and the STA. E-mail content is at the discretion of the STA,
and could include motivational messages, reminders of office hours, tips for upcoming
assignments, etc.
12. Check his/her e-mail account daily for correspondence from students and/or the supervising
instructor. Responds promptly to all course-related e-mails (i.e., within 24 hours). If the STA is
unable to answer a question within this time frame, (s)he should still communicate to the sender
of the e-mail that the message has been received and is being researched.
13. Lead review sessions/activities before each scheduled exam.
14. Monitor & provide brief responses to the extra credit research blogs on Blackboard. The
professor will review how to respond to the blogs with the STA.
15. Engage in regular self-reflection about the student teaching assistantship in a) meetings
with the supervising professor and b) an ongoing journal.
a. At a minimum, two journal entries should be written each month, due by the 15th
and 30th
/31st
(last day) of each month. The entries should be kept in an ongoing

3. journal, meaning each entry should be dated and added to existing entries. The STA
will e-mail the entire journal to the supervising instructor by midnight on the
aforementioned dates. Note: the May journal requirements will be modified.
b. The journal should include 1) a log of hours worked and tasks completed since the
last journal entry, 2) an updated total # of hours worked throughout the semester and
3) a 500-word (minimum) self-reflection on his/her STA experience. The work log
should include time spent in class, office hours/meetings, and time spent completing
tasks for the participating course. The supervising professor will provide a resource
about journaling at the start of the semester, but the content and format of each self-
reflection is ultimately at the STA’s discretion.
16. Complete mid-term and end-of term evaluations of his/her STA performance and
experience. The evaluations will be completed in writing, followed by an in-person discussion
with the supervising professor.
C. Evaluating & Grading
Reliable and thoroughly-executed performance of the above responsibilities and tasks will result in a
grade of A for the PSYC 403 Practicum in Teaching of Psychology course. The supervising professor
will discuss her evaluation of the STA’s performance as often as deemed necessary, with formal
evaluations occurring near the middle and end of the term.
Any deficiencies in meeting responsibilities and performance will be discussed as soon as possible
with the STA. During these discussions the supervising professor will specify what effect the
deficiencies are having on the STA’s grade in the practicum course and delineate what changes need to
be made. It is expected that the STA will attempt to correct any deficiencies brought to his/her
attention and if necessary, a written record of such discussions will be made. Violations of
requirements 1, 2, and 3 concerning ethical and professional conduct will be considered serious and
may result in removal of the STA from the participating course and a grade of F for the practicum
course.
As noted above, formal mid-term and end-of-term evaluations will be conducted. At the mid-term
meeting, areas of strength and improvement will be discussed, and revised learning goals/tasks will be
identified as needed.
Three copies of this contract should be signed by the STA and supervising professor. The STA and
supervising professor will each retain a copy and the student will also deliver one to the department
chairperson before the add/drop period expires.
By signing below, I agree to adhere to the conditions of this learning contract.
Student Signature Date
Supervising Professor Signature Date

4. * My thanks to Dr. Douglas Bloomquist, former FSU Professor of Psychology and colleague, for
permitting me to adapt elements of his 42.203 Learning Contract.