<p>It’s possible that jyber’s daughters just got lucky. Usually Smith turns to grad students to fill a temporary gap, like when they’re between professors, a prof goes on sabbatical, or its a discipline where teachers are in short supply. </p>
<p>It is definitely weird to have a grad student teaching a 300 level though. I haven’t heard of that happening before (Doesn’t mean that it doesn’t happen, but it’s odd). A grad student could successfully teach a basic 100 level skills course and students would never notice, but because 300 levels are supposed to be demanding, they require well-trained experienced teachers. Sorry this didn’t work out in your D’s case (though having been one of those over-worked Smith students, I know how she feels when her 300 level is easier than expected or gets cancelled. You can never catch enough breaks at Smith).</p>