What to Expect as a TIR

Many of the recent TIR's experienced some or all of the following:

The slow pace of reform.
Professors not interested in reform.
A feeling of not being useful after about 3 months on the job.
- This feeling is due to the culture shock that comes from moving to the university, where you are not in control of change, from a school where you were in control of implementing changes in your instructional practices.
- For many of the TIR's, November was the month when this feeling began to be replaced with a more positive outlook on the situation.
The slow pace of your day when compared to your normal day at your high school.
Marathon meetings.
Academic structure of the Department/University not designed to encourage good teaching.
Intimidating accomplishments of Physics colleagues.

Some benefits of being a TIR include:

The opportunity to travel to and attend AAPT meetings.
The opportunity to travel to and attend the annual PhysTEC meetings.
The opportunity to provide a "reality check" to those who teach the introductory Physics courses and the teacher Preparation courses.
Having input in the change/improvement process
Learning in the university environment/department
Sharing ideas within the university PhysTEC team
Sharing/Learning with other TIRs