Teaching Observation Fellows
Teaching Observation Fellows work closely with the Center for Teaching and Learning and with each other on a range of supportive, formative, peer-to-peer teaching observation activities. These activities include classroom teaching observations, practice teaching sessions, and teaching materials exchanges. Senior Teaching Observation Fellows help to guide and support TOFs in the program.
This fellowship is designed for graduate students who are interested in deepening instructional skills through teaching observation and peer mentorship, and inspired by interdisciplinary conversations about pedagogy. Eligibility information and program activities are outlined below.
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Applications for the 2025-26 cohort of Teaching Observation Fellows are being accepted through June 9, 2025. Send any questions about the TOF application process to CTLgrads@columbia.edu.
Program eligibility
The Teaching Observation Fellows program is open to Columbia graduate students in good standing who are in years 2 – 7 in a Columbia University doctoral program as of Fall 2025, or are MFA students in the School of the Arts. Priority consideration will be given to PhD and MFA students who have successfully completed the CTL’s Essentials of Teaching and Learning workshop series, a CTL seminar or institute, and/or a CTL fellowship.
While a teaching assignment during the 2025-26 academic year is not required, it is highly recommended for participation in this program.
TOF Program Activities
Teaching Observation Fellows receive a $2,000 stipend after successfully completing observation and reflection activities during the academic year. TOFs are expected to devote 30-35 hours per semester to the program.
Teaching Observation Fellow activities include the following:
- Attending a sequence of Teaching Observation workshops in the CTL during the academic year.
- Conducting a number of teaching observations and consultations in partnership with peers in the TOF program. These observations entail planning and reflection protocols, which TOFs execute collaboratively with guidance from the CTL. Activities include peer teaching observations, practice teaching (microteaching) sessions, and consultations on syllabi, assignments, and lesson plans.
- Partnering with graduate students trained as CTL Teaching Consultants to conduct structured teaching observations requested by instructors at Columbia.
- Observing at least one faculty member teaching in a different discipline, with follow-on written reflection.
Skills cultivated by the TOF program include:
- Hands-on exploration of formative assessment tools and approaches.
- Definition and measurement of inclusive teaching practices.
- Development of collegial and targeted conversations with colleagues about pedagogy in an interdisciplinary setting.
Successful completion of this fellowship qualifies participants to be CTL Teaching Consultants in future years. Teaching Consultants are paid to conduct Teaching Observations, Mid-Course Reviews, and Practice Teaching (Microteaching) sessions for Columbia instructors across the university, under guidance of the Center for Teaching and Learning.
Due to the confidential nature of teaching observations, access to the program website is limited to participants in this fellowship.
The CTL is here for graduate students.
The Columbia Center for Teaching and Learning provides an array of support for graduate students in both their current and future teaching responsibilities.