Janet A. Wessel
Teaching Assistantships
The Department of Kinesiology awards several teaching assistantships in
adapted physical activity each fall and spring semester. These teaching
assistantships are named in honor of Janet A. Wessel, Professor Emeritus,
who established the adapted physical education specialization at Michigan
State University.
Students selected to receive the teaching assistantships
also receive the Janet A. Wessel Award in Adapted Physical Activity.
Award recipients are honored at receptions conducted during the spring
semester by the Department of Kinesiology and the College of Education.
About Janet A. Wessel
Dr. Wessel supports the teaching
assistantship positions with a generous donation each year. Her goal is to
support students who are pursuing careers in adapted physical activity and
related areas.
Dr. Wessel was a faculty member at MSU from 1956 through
1983. During her tenure at MSU, she made significant contributions to the
body of knowledge in adapted physical education, curriculum and instruction,
women's studies, and exercise physiology. For more information about her
illustrious career, consult the chapter on "History of Teaching and Research in Adapted Physical
Activity" from 100 Years of Kinesiology, as well as articles from the
Fall
1997 and
Fall
1998 issues of the New Educator.
Responsibilities
The students selected as teaching assistants work as supervisors in the
Sports Skills Program. Their duties include:
 | Helping to develop coaching guidelines and instructional activities
for the sports offered that semester |
| Supervising program activities to help insure the personal safety of
all participants |
| Assisting students enrolled in KIN 465 to provide quality instruction
and/or coaching to program participants |
| Assisting with the evaluation of program activities |
| Maintaining and storing sports equipment |
Students are expected to contribute approximately 25 hours to the program
during the semester in which they hold a teaching assistantship.
Stipend
The teaching assistantship carries a stipend of $300 per semester per
activity (swimming or gymnasium). Payment of this stipend is
coordinated through the Financial Aids Office.
Eligibility
The Janet A. Wessel Teaching Assistantships are restricted to students in
the Department of Kinesiology. Preference will be given to seniors or
post-baccalaureate students seeking teacher certification, although graduate
students may also apply. Selection criteria include:
| A career interest related to adapted physical activity |
| Previous experience or course work involving persons with
disabilities, including successful completion of KIN 465 |
| Previous experience in teaching or coaching one or more of the sports
offered in the Sports Skills Program |
| Current certification in first aid and CPR (attach photocopies of both
sides of the certification cards) |
| A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher |
Application Procedures
Applicants must submit the following materials during the spring semester
to be considered for a teaching assistantship during the following academic
year. Note that you may not receive an assistantship during the semester in
which you are enrolled in KIN 465.
| A letter of application that includes:
 | Evidence of your accomplishments relative to the selection criteria |
| The semester (fall or spring) for which the teaching assistantship
is sought |
| The activity (swimming or gymnasium) that you prefer to supervise |
|
| A transcript of courses completed at the undergraduate level,
including grades earned |
| A resume of professional activities |
| One or more letters of recommendation attesting to your
accomplishments relative to the selection criteria |
Submit the above materials to:
Dr. Gail M.
Dummer
Department of Kinesiology
138 IM Sports Circle
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
|
