The GradTeach team offers a variety of teaching development opportunities each semester, including GradTeach Certificate workshops and TA Cafés facilitated by our Future Faculty Fellows. Explore the current schedule below to find workshops and TA Cafés open to graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.
How Learning Works
Thursday, September 3, 10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m., MLC 372
facilitated by Kelly Ford
How does learning really work? This workshop unpacks cognitive processes like attention, memory, and prior knowledge—and shows where instructors can intervene to help turn input into meaningful, lasting learning.
Learner-Centered Teaching
Friday, October 2, 9:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m., MLC 372
facilitated by Kelly Ford
Explore the learner-centered approach rooted in constructivist theory. Learn to design environments where students actively build knowledge—shifting your role from arbiter of content to facilitator of meaningful learning.
Teaching Philosophy Statement Workshop
Wednesday, October 7, 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. & Thursday, October 8, 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., MLC 372
facilitated by Kelly Ford
Overwhelmed by conflicting advice on teaching statements? This workshop clarifies what a TPS is, why it matters, and who it’s for, while helping you identify and map your teaching values to classroom practices. Offered twice per semester!
Active Learning 101
Tuesday, October 20, 3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m., MLC 372
facilitated by Kelly Ford
Explore the science behind how active learning can transform traditional lessons into dynamic learning experiences, gaining strategies to engage students—beyond passive listening, watching, or reading—for long-lasting learning.
Teaching Philosophy Statement Peer Review & Beyond
Thursday, November 5, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., MLC 372
facilitated by Kelly Ford
Bring your teaching philosophy statement for a hands-on, peer-review workshop focused on tailoring your TPS to diverse institutional contexts. A completed TPS and willingness to engage in peer review are required.
Course Design 101
Thursday, November 12, 1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m., MLC 372
facilitated by Zeenar Salim
Strong courses start with intentional design. This workshop covers evidence-based course planning, focusing on backwards design and clear learning outcomes, to help you confidently create, adapt, or revise a course.
TA Café Series
All for One, One for All: Making Group Work, Work
Wednesday, September 23, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Model Active Learning Lab (CTL MALL)
Group work can be one of the most rewarding and challenging parts of the student experience. This session explores practical strategies TAs can use to help students build effective teams, navigate group dynamics, share responsibilities, communicate clearly, and work through common challenges. Also, because great group work begins with great prompts, we will work together to design thoughtful, engaging group assignments. Join us to explore ways to set groups up for success and create a more positive, productive, collaborative learning experience for everyone!
facilitated by Future Faculty Fellows Doina Grecu, Danielle Kotrla, and Vicki Lu
Bad Vibes Be Gone!
Tuesday, October 13, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., MLC 372
Have you ever walked into your class and felt the vibes were off? Bad? Maybe even… spooky? If so, do we have the resources for you! Come chat with some of our Future Faculty Fellows about ways to build community and harness the magic of positive energy in your classroom.
facilitated by Future Faculty Fellows Damilola A. Adebonojo, Addison Montroy, Morgan Muñoz, Taylor Vanderveen, and Madeline Raine Williams
Teaching Within Present Structures
Wednesday, November 4, 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Zoom
In this online TA Cafe, we will be discussing how to teach within preset structures. This can include teaching discussion sections as part of larger classes, teaching labs with preset activities, or even helping run activities in large classes. The primary focus will be carving out your niche as an instructor within the bounds afforded to you by the class structure.
facilitated by Future Faculty Fellows : Huck Bagby, Lauren Beugelsdyk, Sayan Chattopadhyay, Emil Joson, Kristie Gill, Shereen Sayed, and Uyiosa Ugiagbe