<p>Just for the record, a TA is not the same thing as having teacher who’s in their last year or so of graduate school. A TA teaches a class or grades papers under the tutelage of a full time prof so that the prof can focus on their research and the TA can do the mundane day to day stuff. They’re a Teaching Assistant. </p>
<p>In all the classes I’ve had that were taught by graduate students at Smith, the only difference between them and a professor was that they were still a few months away from getting their Phd’s. They’re not hired as TA’s, as assistant teachers getting practical experience, they’re hired as adjunct professors or visiting lecturers. Teaching is supposed to be more or less their full time position, just like people who have regular jobs and go to class at night. Or profs that teach and do research after their classes are over. </p>
<p>It’s unfortunate in MWFN’S D’s instance that her prof is not responsible. But as borgin noted, professors with tenure and Phd’s can be less responsible than grad student teachers as well sometimes. </p>
<p>As a Smith tour guide, I must have said a thousand times that we do not have TA’s at Smith, all classes are taught by professors. And I meant it, and I stand by that. A TA and a professor who is also getting a graduate degree at another university are not the same thing.</p>