Update:
I sent the short polite email to my program director (and then thought immediately -- should I have sent it to the Director of Graduate Studies of the English dept. as well?) Thus far no reply.
After that I anxiously called the DGS, who was not in her office, and my program director, who was not in his office. I then called the Graduate School and talked to an admin asst. who stated that they would have told me by now if I was going to receive a TA in the fall. But then she backpedaled and said it was ultimately up to the department.
I know it may be hard, but you need to chill. Seriously.
Unless you need to make the decision today, then you need to give the email a chance to work. Maybe the program director was in a meeting. Maybe he or she forwarded the email on to the DGS, who was at a meeting or not in today.
The administrative assistant may be right. Or not. Unless she has the power to make a decision, she shouldn't say anything and you shouldn't waste your time talking to her.
Go for a walk, and if you haven't heard anything in a week, then follow up with a phone call.
