Rice University

I have been an undergraduate teaching assistant (TA) for three semesters now. I have been a TA for Algorithmic Thinking, which is a course that covers discrete mathematics, algorithms, and implementation of these concepts in Python. I was a TA for Reasoning About Algorithms, which takes a more in-depth and theoretical approach to algorithms. Finally, I am teaching Advanced Object-Oriented Programming and Design, which is a Java-based course teaching software engineering methodologies. In these positions, I have facilitated lab discussions, taught students during office hours, and graded student work.

COMP 182- Algorithmic Thinking

Algorithmic Thinking is one of the most notoriously difficult classes at Rice University because it covers discrete mathematics, algorithms, and implementation of these concepts in Python. I know TA's helped me a lot during this course, so I wanted to pay it forward by helping the next round of students taking the class. Specifically, I made sure to TA the lab sessions in addition to hosting office hours and grading homework because I knew I would have an opportunity to have face-to-face interactions with the students, allowing me to make a larger impact.

COMP 382- Reasoning About Algorithms

Acting as an extension of COMP 182, I also TA'd COMP 382, which covers a more in-depth and theoretical approach to algorithms, to further help students. From my experience helping during lab sessions from the previous semester, I was asked to lead the lab sessions during COMP 382. This entailed preparing weekly problem sets for students to solve. I also then facilitated a student-led discussion about how to go about solving these answers. There were about 150 students in the class, which was extremely daunting. After a few sessions, I became more comfortable presenting in front of such a large audience, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity.

COMP 310- Advanced Object-Oriented Programming

Advanced Object-Oriented Programming and Design is a Java-based course teaching software engineering methodologies. In these positions, I have facilitated lab discussions, taught students during office hours, and graded student work. This course took place during Spring 2020, where the class had to prematurely end due to COVID-19. Despite this, I had heard that several students were disappointed they would not have an opportunity to complete the final project, which entails creating a peer-to-peer game using Google Maps. As a result, I spearheaded the effort to unofficially run a final project for those interested. It culminated in a "Demo day," where each game was played by the different teams.