Academic Career Path The journey starts here UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO CENTRE FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE Mihaela Vlasea Graduate Instructional Developer July 17, 2013 What you may want to know... Understanding... Current trends in hiring committee expectations As a grad student, what can you do?... Build strong teaching credentials (TA, Lecturer, Mentor) Undertake teaching-related professional development 2 1
Current trends in hiring expectations University Teaching 3 Top trends in hiring expectations Teaching reference alongside research reference Statement of teaching philosophy Practical teaching experience and teaching evaluations Prepared teaching demonstrations 4 2
Top trends in hiring expectations Growing trend... Teaching matters!!! Even amongst research universities 5 As a grad How can you grow your teaching portfolio? TAing and your academic career... 6 3
Growing your teaching portfolio? Use your TA experience wisely Get feedback on your teaching From students From course instructor Improve your presentation skills Offer to give guest lectures Diversify your TA experience (different courses, etc.) 7 Growing your teaching portfolio? Collect documents related to your teaching List courses you have TAed Number of students Level, difficulty Save course evaluation results Keep track TA awards and nominations Curriculum development Exam/assignment/tutorial questions 8 4
Growing your teaching portfolio? Attend teaching development workshops or programs In your department, ask what training is available TA Expectations, put on CV (certificate, mentoring) Complete teaching certificate programs or workshops Centre for Teaching Excellence Fundamentals of University Teaching Certificate in University Teaching 9 Growing your teaching portfolio? Key points: TAing is a tool for building strong teaching credentials Seek career development opportunities 10 5
Teaching development opportunities Available at University of Waterloo... 11 Centre for Teaching Excellence We offer programs geared towards graduate students: Level 1: Fundamentals of University Teaching Level 2: Certificate in University Teaching 12 6
Course Design Classroom Delivery Skills Preparing Students for Group Work From TA to Course Instructor Fundamentals of Intercultural Communication Instructional Skills Workshop Teaching With Simulations 13 Fundamentals of University Teaching MASc/PhD Six teaching-related workshops Three microteaching sessions Between 1-3 terms to complete New bock option (2 weeks) 14 7
Fundamentals of University Teaching Benefits: Appears on your transcript Printed certificate Teaching evaluations (3) Improved teaching skills Quick 15 Certificate in University Teaching PhD Three courses Two in-class observations Between 1-2 years 16 8
Certificate in University Teaching Benefits... Course design skills Learn new educational technology 17 Certificate in University Teaching Benefits Appears on your transcript Printed certificate In class teaching evaluations (2) Assistance with formulating Teaching Dossier Assistance with formulating Teaching Philosophy 18 9
Key message: Improve teaching and presentation skills Edge in the job market 19 I would like to thank you very much for all your help during the CUT program. During my interview, one person in charge of teaching told me he had never seen such a comprehensive teaching dossier. If it were not CUT, I would have never been able to learn so much about teaching and prepare my teaching dossier. Shahrzad, PhD, Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering 20 10
To conclude By taking advantage of teaching opportunities and training programs, you will: Approach to the academic job market with confidence Build a teaching portfolio and a teaching philosophy Formal teaching credentials (certificates, transcripts) 21 Resources https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/ 22 11
Further Resources See handout Contact Info: Svitlana Taraban-Gordon Senior Instructional Developer staraban@uwaterloo.ca EV1 311, EXT 37110 23 Questions? We re here to help 24 12