Teaching Assistant Track – Program Overview

The Teaching Assistant (TA) Track is a course-embedded leadership practicum for select graduates of the Buddhist Studies Institute (BSI) Meditation Teacher Training (MTT). TAs support learning, relational cohesion, and ethical integrity within the MTT while deepening their own practice through service, mentorship, and reflection.

What the TA Track Offers
• Leadership development grounded in Buddhist ethics and relational stewardship
• Mentorship from senior faculty
• A full curriculum refresh through auditing the current MTT
• Eligibility for advanced leadership pathways, including Buddhist Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy
• Hands-on experience supporting and mentoring new students

Purpose and Role
TAs serve as stewards of learning, relationship, and practice. They support small-group reflection, foster inclusive and trauma-informed learning environments, and contribute to the ethical formation of new meditation teachers. As an early cohort, TAs also help shape the future evolution of the TA Track.

Core Responsibilities
• Audit and participate in the full MTT curriculum
• Welcome students and support group reflection and dialogue within defined scope
• Foster sangha continuity and model ethical presence and clear boundaries
• Support the practicum process by facilitating reflection and completing evaluation documentation
• Refer all assessment, ethical concerns, and conflicts to faculty
• Teaching Assistants do not grade, rank, provide therapy, make advancement decisions, or independently manage ethical issues.

TA Cohort Experience
The TA Track is intentionally relational and operates as a small practice community (approximately 5–8 participants). TAs participate in monthly TA Circles facilitated by TA Coordinator and/or BSI faculty, peer reflection on MTT student progress, 

Pathways to Advanced Training
Eligibility requires either:
• Service as a TA for one full MTT cohort (approximately 30 hours of embedded participation), or
• Completion of 20 hours of approved continuing education plus a service role within BSI
• Completion indicates readiness for consideration but does not guarantee admission.

2026 TA Track Tuition
TA track tuition acts as a credit and will be applied to those completing the Buddhist Spiritual Care Certification. Member discounts apply.
• General Tuition – $550
• Snow Lion Tuition (25% discount) – $412
• Sustainer Tuition (40% discount) – $330

Time Commitment and Completion
• Attend most weekly MTT sessions (Jan 26–June 27, 2026) + short TA debrief
• Participate in monthly TA Circles (60–75 minutes)
• Support practicum reflection and portions of the June 12–14, 2026 retreat (shifts TBD)
• Completion requires consistent participation, adherence to ethical boundaries, fulfillment of assigned responsibilities, and submission of a brief end-of-track reflection

Program Contacts
TA Track Coordinator: Jenn Meilleur, Jenn@BuddhistStudiesInstitute.org
Director of Programs: Dr. Satya Shiva, Satya@BuddhistStudiesInstitute.org