Undergraduate experience prepares graduate students for the advanced coursework and research requirements of graduate school. However, most graduate students haven’t had any teaching experience before being thrust into the unfamiliar and demanding role of teaching assistant (TA). The teaching environment poses many challenges inside and outside the classroom, and to succeed, graduate teaching assistants will want to consider developing a pro-active mentality. This workshop discusses the common challenges and responsibilities that graduate TAs encounter each semester, and talks about ways they can take a more progressive, active approach.