Applications for Fall 2023 now closed
The GTA will be offered again next academic year. Stay posted for information on when applications open!
Looking for other opportunities to gain training in teaching this year? Check out our Events & Programs (link opens in a new tab) page. We will also be offering Teaching Tips and Techniques (TTT) (link opens in a new tab), a program designed for new Teaching Assistants, in the Spring of 2024.
What is the Graduate Teaching Academy (GTA)?
A semester long learning community open to ALL graduate students and post-docs interested in preparing for careers that involve teaching, inside and outside of academia. The GTA is a place for learning more about effective, evidence-based teaching practices and strategies.
“The GTA was more than a course and instead was a powerful experience, meaningful journey, and a catalyst which completely challenged and transformed my paradigm in the most optimal, beneficial ways. This course not only brought forth tangible and actionable outcomes to implement within current and future contexts, but provided a wealth of intangible growth for which I will be forever grateful.” – 2022 GTA Graduate
When does the GTA meet?
Alternate Wednesdays throughout the semester, from 12:00 – 1:30 pm (lunch voucher for use at the Bear’s Den provided).
Orientation and Welcome: August 23rd
Core Meeting Dates and Topics:
- August 30th: Student centered learning
- September 13th: Developing your teaching philosophy
- September 27th: Backwards design & learning
- October 11th: Developing an inclusive practice
- October 25th: Understanding the assessment landscape
- November 8th: Developing your practice, teaching philosophy revisited
- November 29th: Measures of teaching effectiveness
- December 6th: Transferrable skills – applying what you know outside of academia
Wrap-Up and Celebration: December 13th
View the complete schedule of meetings and topics from last GTA in Spring 2023 to get an idea of what the semester looks like. (opens in Google Docs). Updated schedule for Fall 2023 coming soon!
Important Dates:
Applications open July 1st, 2023
Review of application begins August 1st, 2023
*Applicants notified beginning August 10th, 2023
*Applications will remain open until the first meeting date, as long as space is available. Enrollment is capped at 24.
What will you learn about?
- Writing a teaching philosophy
- Inclusive teaching strategies
- Principles of course design
- Active learning strategies
- Developing a course syllabus
- Translating skills outside of academia, and more!
What will you gain ?
- Valuable skills to improve your teaching
- A cross disciplinary peer group
- A polished teaching philosophy
- A draft of a course syllabus
- A letter of completion from CITL
- A letter to your advisor (at your request)
- Free lunch and a modest stipend to those eligible*.
*Graduate students must determine eligibility for payment
“The model worked really well for me and I’m very glad I applied to this program. Thank you for providing the books for the book club and the food vouchers and raffle books. I appreciate how hard you all worked to make this experience fun and meaningful to my future professional goals” – 2022 GTA Graduate
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.
What will you be asked to do?
- Meet twice a month for an in-person 90 minute workshop and discussion.*
- Complete readings or assignments asynchronously with materials delivered through Brightspace.
- Participate in asynchronous and synchronous discussions.
- Write a teaching philosophy and a draft a course syllabus.
- Complete surveys and provide feedback to inform the development of the Graduate Teaching Academy.
*All meetings will be face-to-face in Fernald Hall. Zoom options can be made available for occasional meetings if required, but this program is designed to be in-person.
Additional opportunities to build your skillset:
Teaching and Learning Book Club – Join our optional book club to dive further into topics covered in the GTA. Meetings will be held virtually on opposite Wednesdays from the core meetings.
We will read Radical Hope: A Teaching Manifesto by Kevin M. Gannon, which addresses timely issues around inclusive teaching practices. Books will be provided by CITL.