What is the Graduate Teaching Academy (GTA)?
The Graduate Teaching Academy (GTA) is a semester-long learning community for those interested in preparing for careers that involve teaching, inside and outside of academia. The GTA, which is open to ALL graduate students and post-docs, is a place for learning about effective teaching practices and strategies, connecting with peers, and developing your own understandings about the purpose of higher education.
The GTA involves readings, active learning opportunities, and discussion. Throughout the semester, we will read Radical Hope by Kevin Gannon, a text which explores timely issues related to equity-based teaching in the United States. Between meetings you will be expected to complete a small amount of work – this preparation will allow us to engage in meaningful discussions during our time together.
This program runs Alternative Wednesdays from 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Applications will open in April ’25 for the Fall ’25 cohort.
Core Topics Include:
Want to see what the semester breakdown looks like?
What will you learn about?
- Increasing student agency & engagement
- Writing a genuine teaching philosophy
- Inclusive & active teaching strategies
- Assessment strategies
- Principles of course design
- Developing an inclusive course syllabus
- Improving your teaching through feedback & reflection
- Translating skills outside of academia, and more!
What will you gain?
- Knowledge of current research on teaching & learning
- Valuable skills to improve your teaching
- A cross-disciplinary peer group
- A polished teaching philosophy
- A letter of completion from CITL
- A letter to your advisor (at your request)
- Free lunch vouchers after every in-person session
- A participation stipend or financial award for those who qualify
What will you be asked to do?
- Complete readings or assignments asynchronously with materials delivered through Brightspace.
- Participate in discussions.
- Write a teaching philosophy.
- Complete surveys and provide feedback to inform the development of the Graduate Teaching Academy.
Additional Opportunities to Build Your Skillset:
Eight core meetings of the GTA will be complemented with several additional professional development opportunities. These optional opportunities will allow you to further develop your understanding of teaching & learning and make you more competitive for jobs that involve teaching (both inside and outside of academia).
Discussion & Application Meetings
will allow us to explore connections between the concepts in Radical Hope: A Teaching Manifesto by Kevin Gannon and your own teaching practice.
Professional Development Workshops
will provide trainings in topics such as developing inclusive syllabi, implementing mid-semester feedback forms, writing an inclusivity statement for academic job applications, and interpreting student evaluations of teaching (SETs). Topics will be influenced by the interest of the F25 GTA cohort.
Who can apply?
Any graduate student or postdoc interested in learning more about effective, evidence-based teaching practices and strategies and marketing yourself for future employment. Preference will be given to post-doctoral associates and those in the last semester of their graduate program. Space is limited. The GTA is held in person and is best suited for participants who can commute to campus.