This Week for Graduate Students: Teaching Development Program (TDP) info session this Friday!

Showcase Your Teaching Development with the TDP: Info Session on Friday

The Teaching Development Program (TDP) offers doctoral and MFA students a means to document and articulate their teaching development at Columbia. Completion of foundational or advanced tracks in the TDP is certified by the CTL and noted on transcripts in Arts and Sciences, SEAS, Mailman, Nursing, Social Work, Business, Journalism, and GSAPP – and for MFA students in the and School of the Arts.

Students currently in the TDP and those thinking about jumping in are invited to join us for this info session. In particular, we welcome to this session: 

• Prospective participants in the TDP who are interested in learning more about the program
• Participants who recently joined the TDP’s Foundational Track who are interested in learning more about tips for getting started
• Current participants on the Foundational Track of the TDP who want to work with the CTL and peers to map out strategies for track completion

Date: Friday, January 19
Time: 1:00–2:00pm
Location: 212 Butler Library 

Note: Participants who are on the Advanced Track of the TDP are invited to join us for a separate event on Friday, February 16th, 1-2pm. 

Teaching as Research Seminar: Applications Due Today!

The online Teaching as Research Seminar (TaRS) trains participants to assess the impact of teaching interventions in the classroom. Over the course of these four asynchronous modules, participants gain proficiency in the Teaching as Research (TaR) method by defining an original research question, exploring data collection and assessment tools, and drawing on the support of peers and the instructor to draft a complete TaR proposal. The seminar culminates in the presentation of these proposals to the seminar cohort.

The Teaching as Research Seminar will run online from January 22 to March 3. 

CTL will accept applications from January 2 – 16. For more information about this seminar, email us at CTLgrads@columbia.edu.

TaRS satisfies the seminar requirement on the Advanced Track of the Teaching Development Program. 

Teaching Orientation for Graduate Students

CTL offers graduate student instructors orientation resources and sessions to learn about practical, evidence-based strategies that they can implement on the first day of class. These orientations help supplement department-based orientations and trainings. CTL orientations are open to all new teaching assistants, teaching fellows, and graduate students in an instructor role.

In Spring 2024 CTL is offering orientation materials online, available to graduate students anytime. Five orientation modules are available to all with a Columbia UNI here.

GSAS Fellowships in Academic Administration

The GSAS Fellowships in Academic Administration (FAA) program offers advanced doctoral students in Arts and Sciences departments the opportunity to gain experience in administrative offices across Columbia’s campuses.

This program enhances graduate student professional development by supplementing the training GSAS students receive in research and teaching with an introduction to the day-to-day operations of the University. The experience allows students to cultivate a stronger professional profile and develop administrative skills in preparation for any future career. Students are eligible in years three through seven of an Arts and Sciences doctoral program. 

Apply here by Wednesday, January 17, 11:59PM EST.

Pedagogies of Race and Oppression Learning Community: Harnessing Instructor Agency in the Institution

The Pedagogies of Race and Oppression Learning Community is sponsored by the GSAS Office of Academic Diversity and Inclusion, in partnership with Columbia’s Center for Teaching and Learning. In this learning community, participants collectively engage focused topics in pedagogy and practice—in this case, as they relate to race and marginalization, with particular emphasis on anti-racist and anti-oppression pedagogy.

In Spring 2024, the Pedagogies of Race & Oppression Learning Community will explore instructor agency within the institution. Each session will have a corresponding workshop in which participants will begin crafting both teaching and diversity statements. All participants must be willing to contribute and workshop their materials.

In the interest of fostering a diverse community of learners committed to discussing difficult topics, the capacity of this learning community is limited. Submitting an application will allow facilitators to gauge applicants’ experience and interest in discussing issues of oppression, and creating an anti-racist classroom.

The Pedagogies of Race and Oppression Learning Community will convene online on Thursday, February 15th (12:00 – 2:00 pm), Thursday, February 22nd (12:00 – 2:00 pm), Thursday, March 21st (12:00 – 2:00 pm), and Thursday, April 4th (12:00 – 2:00 pm). If selected, participants must commit to all four sessions—including the workshops. Applications are due Monday, January 29th by 11:59 pm ET. Please contact CTLgrads@columbia.edu with any questions.

Note: Participants from previous semesters of the Pedagogies of Race and Oppression Learning Community are welcome to apply.

Office Hours

Live office hours for graduate students are running during the Spring 2024 semester on Fridays from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET, beginning January 19. Drop by 212 Butler or join our Zoom room to consult with us about teaching practices, CTL fellowships and other offerings, job market preparation, or making progress in the Teaching Development Program. To join office hours via Zoom, email CTLgrads@columbia.edu for the link.