1. Training

At least eight advanced-level Teaching Center workshops; these include workshops in the following series 1) STEM Pedagogies; 2) Pedagogies in the Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences; 3) Professional Development. The workshop on Writing a Teaching Philosophy Statement is the only required topic for all participants in the program.

2. Teaching

One semester-long teaching experience is required. Due to the variation in instructional responsibilities carried out by graduate student assistants to course instructors, the required teaching experience should be pre-approved by The Teaching Center to ensure that it meets the program requirements.

During the teaching experience, the graduate student’s or postdoc’s teaching must be observed and reviewed in writing by a faculty member or by an Academic Staff member from The Teaching Center.

Graduate students should communicate with faculty or The Teaching Center early in the semester to schedule when the class observation will occur. If desired, faculty may use (or adapt, the Teaching Center’s Teaching Observation and Feedback Form (MS-Word).

Observation and review by Teaching Center staff members is typically conducted via recording of the instructor’s class. To schedule a recording with feedback by The Teaching Center, please complete and submit our online request form.

3. Reflection

All participants will write a teaching philosophy statement, a 1-2 page essay describing the writer’s core teaching approach. This document is often requested of candidates who are applying for faculty teaching positions in higher education.

The Teaching Center offers frequent workshops and seminars that provide graduate students and postdocs with instruction on writing a teaching philosophy statement. In addition, graduate students and postdocs may meet individually with Teaching Center staff for assistance with writing the statement.