For serious students, it's all about striving to be head of the class. For the rest of us, it's all about dreaming of the head of the class: that distinguished professor or hot TA who you are "forced" to stare at during the semester. Forget the Penn Course Review and those inconvenient requirements - the best classes are those with good-looking instructors. Stimulating material? Pass. We say a stimulating lecturer is the best motivation for perfect attendance.
Not lucky enough to have a Brad at the blackboard? Don't stress. We've brought the goods to you.
Noah wieder
STATS
Name: Noah Wieder
Age: 27
Hometown: New York
TA for: Chemistry 102
Office hours: Friday 5 p.m.
Teaching history: TA at Penn for four and a half years
WHAT HE SAYS
What is your pet peeve about Penn students?
I don't really have any. TAs inevitably have to deal with some whining about grades since we grade the exams, but that doesn't bother me so much. I guess I get a little tired of looking at Ugg boots all the time.
What is your favorite part of teaching?
That little "aha" look on a student's face when I manage to get something across that had previously been a source of frustration. It's so adorable.
Least favorite part?
I'm not the biggest fan ever of all the bitch work that goes along with being a TA. It is, of course, necessary. And it's one of the reasons TAs exist, but a little part of my soul dies every time I'm presented with an enormous pile of Chem 101 exams I have to grade by the next morning.
What are your passions (outside of teaching, of course)?
Once in a while I enjoy shooting things. There are few better ways to unwind after a stressful day than sending copious amounts of 9mm ammunition flying down range. I also really like cooking.
Did you ever have a crush on one of your teachers?
I had a hot substitute teacher when I was in the fourth or fifth grade. Though back then she just sort of made me feel funny in a way I didn't quite understand.
Do you have any advice for undergrads?
Sure. Even brilliant people are just as capable of being full of doo doo as the rest of us. Be skeptical.
WHAT THE STUDENTS ARE SAYING:
"Spending late nights at Van Pelt stuck on that one thermodynamics problem, all I wanted was for him to walk up, sexily whip off his glasses, and declare, 'I'm a chemist! You called?' like the Superman of my dreams ... then I would stare into his eyes longingly as he solved the problem."
"Cute! In an academic way, of course."
Bruce hardy
STATS
Name: Bruce Hardy
Age: 31
Hometown: Horseheads, NY
TA for: COMM 125: Political Communication
Office hours: Annenberg 318, Friday 1-4 p.m.
Teaching history: TA at Cornell in 2004, at Penn since 2005.
WHAT HE SAYS
What is the best thing about being an undergrad?
Other undergrads.
The worst?
Other undergrads.
Favorite part of
teaching?
Making learning fun and having the students actually learn the material and incorporate it into their knowledge base.
Least favorite part?
The book-keeping.
What are your passions (outside of teaching, of course)?
My wife and I create music in our little home studio. And we rock!
Do you have any advice for undergrads?
First, don't overly stress about grades. A B in a class that is outside your major is not going to kill employment opportunities. Second, keep graduate school in mind. There are huge differences between being an undergrad and grad student. So, even if you are sick of being in school, your graduate student life will be much different than you undergrad experience. Finally, you are at Penn: No matter what, just remember you are at a top Ivy university and the simple fact that you are being educated here should provide a basic level of security concerning your future quality of life. You should be very proud of yourself!
WHAT THE STUDENTS ARE SAYING:
"Bruce Hardy puts all other blazer-wearing, Pitchfork-quoting, too-cool-for-school TA's to shame."
"He's the kind of guy you don't think actually exists: well-dressed, well-spoken, well-liked, straight. And sadly . married."
Gavin cassar
STATS
Name: Gavin Cassar
Age: Indeterminate
Hometown: Newcastle, Australia
Teaches: ACCT 102: Managerial Accounting. "Also known by some students as 'thank god it's not financial' accounting."
Office hours: After class or by appointment
Teaching history:
Since 1997, has taught at the University of Newcastle and UC Berkeley. At Penn since 2005.
WHAT HE SAYS
Best thing about being an undergrad?
You have no responsibilities except to yourself.
The worst?
See best thing.
What is your pet peeve about Penn students?
They are generally charming, well-dressed, highly motivated, and interesting basically everything I despise (being an accountant and all).
What is your favorite part of teaching?
You cross paths and affect a lot of wonderful people.
Least favorite part?
Answering the question, "Will this be on the exam?"
Anything else we haven't asked?
While many Australians eat it, I personally think Vegemite tastes like crap.
WHAT THE STUDENTS ARE SAYING:
"He knows every single student by name and loves to call us out when we aren't paying attention. I secretly think he picks on all his favorites...."
"Every single girl developed a major crush from day one of class. He makes me want to go to accounting class, which is saying a lot."
"He's like a cross between [former Psychology 001 teacher] Andrew Shatte if he were younger, and Heath Ledger if he were older. And an accountant."
Gavin cassar
STATS
Name: Gavin Cassar
Age: Indeterminate
Hometown: Newcastle, Australia
Teaches: ACCT 102: Managerial Accounting. "Also known by some students as 'thank god it's not financial' accounting."
Office hours: After class or by appointment
Teaching history:
Since 1997, has taught at the University of Newcastle and UC Berkeley. At Penn since 2005.
WHAT HE SAYS
Best thing about being an undergrad?
You have no responsibilities except to yourself.
The worst?
See best thing.
What is your pet peeve about Penn students?
They are generally charming, well-dressed, highly motivated, and interesting basically everything I despise (being an accountant and all).
What is your favorite part of teaching?
You cross paths and affect a lot of wonderful people.
Least favorite part?
Answering the question, "Will this be on the exam?"
Anything else we haven't asked?
While many Australians eat it, I personally think Vegemite tastes like crap.
WHAT THE STUDENTS ARE SAYING:
"He knows every single student by name and loves to call us out when we aren't paying attention. I secretly think he picks on all his favorites...."
"Every single girl developed a major crush from day one of class. He makes me want to go to accounting class, which is saying a lot."
"He's like a cross between [former Psychology 001 teacher] Andrew Shatte if he were younger, and Heath Ledger if he were older. And an accountant"
