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Aggies are known for their world-class research...
...but that's only half of the story. Whether you are preparing for a future faculty position or applying for a current Graduate Teaching Assistantship, becoming an effective educator will serve you well. You will need effective teaching skills to be competitive in an academic career. That's where the resources in the TAMU CIRTL network come in.
Within the TAMU CIRTL network, graduate students have multiple opportunities to access professional development programs to help you grow into your future faculty career:
The Graduate Teaching Academy (GTA) offers a year-long "Graduate Teaching Academy Fellows Program" (GTAF). Whether you choose to attend one event or complete the certificate program, the GTA offers weekly speakers and workshops on topics of teaching and learning in higher education. The GTA draws upon professors, renowned guest speakers, and Center for Teaching Excellence leadership to provide information on a wide range of topics needed for graduate students to develop into well-round faculty candidates in the future. Explore topics such as diversity in the classroom, using "clickers" in the classroom for on-the-spot assessment of student learning, generational differences between college students and professors affecting teaching and learning styles, developing a teaching portfolio, and more!
Beginning fall 2008, the GTA will be offering a second level for GTA Fellows called "The GTA Senior Fellows Program". Building upon the GTAF, the Senior Fellows program focuses on the skills needed for teaching and learning in an inquiry-guided learning (IGL) method. Research has demonstrated the efficacy of IGL and Texas A&M as an institution seeks to impact the undergraduate experience by infusing inquiry into courses. In this program, Fellows will develop the skills needed to utilize inquiry in existing curriculum or develop new curriculum specific to their discipline.
Beginning fall 2009, a new program will further develop graduate students for future faculty careers through the "CIRTL Fellows Program" (CIRTLF). In this program, Senior Fellows will have the opportunity to partner with a faculty member and implement a teaching-as research project to impact an undergraduate course at Texas A&M. Check back for more information in late 2008.
We want to hear from you! Please let us know if you are interested in these programs or have a suggestion for other types of professional development. We look forward to working with you! Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Michelle Simms, email
TAMU CIRTL Graduate Research Assistant