Recognize that a lack of respect for you because of perceived incompetence can result in students' taking advantage of the situation and taking the class requirements and their own work less seriously. Show that you are serious about your position by being on time for sections and office hours, being equitable and fair in the classroom, grading fairly and returning graded material promptly, and by holding yourself to the highest standards of professionalism and expecting the same of your students. At the end of the quarter, use your TA evaluations constructively. Look for repeated comments, but take irrelevant comments, such as comments about your clothing, gender, or sexuality, with a grain of salt. TAs generally occupy a more casual space than teaching faculty.
Students often see TAs as peers as well as mentors.
This can cause problems when students overstep their boundaries and infringe upon the TAs' boundaries. You can have an informal classroom atmosphere in which a great deal of productive learning goes on and still maintain personal and professional boundaries. Provide ways for students to contact you. It is generally inadvisable to give your home phone number to your students. Provide an office phone number or a place where they can send messages.