Teaching Academy 2024 Program
Please note that workshops will not be recorded - we hope to see you in the live session!
Workshops For TAs or Instructors NEW to UMass!
What’s It Like to Be a Teaching Assistant at UMass?
Monday, August 26th - 2:30-3:45pm (online) OR
Wednesday, August 28th - 10:00-11:15am (online) OR
Friday, September 6th - 12:20-1:35pm (209 Bartlett)
This short orientation session will introduce you to the role of being a teaching assistant at UMass, including supportive offices, logistical concerns, and the pedagogical approach that UMass values: inclusive, active classes that support all learners as they grapple with the intellectual challenges of our disciplines. The Graduate Employee Organization (GEO) will also join us to welcome you and share how they can support your teaching. Come for tips on teaching and navigating the TA role!
Succeeding as an International Teaching Assistant
Thursday, August 29th - 3:30-4:30pm (Bromery Center for the Arts) *Will not repeat
What do American undergrads expect from you and your class? A panel of international graduate students will share their knowledge of UMass undergrad culture, their first-hand experiences teaching, and strategies for teaching success so that you can feel comfortable in the classroom! Please note that this session will not be repeated. Co-sponsored by OPD and IPO as part of International Student Orientation (ISO)!
August Workshops for ALL UMass Grad Students and Postdocs
Not teaching right now? No worries! It’s always the right time to improve your teaching skills, so do join us!
The “Yes, And” Spirit: Adaptability in the Student-Driven Classroom
Tuesday, August 13th - 10:00-11:00am (online) OR
Friday, September 20th - 9:00-10:00am (209 Bartlett)
It’s a teaching truism: things do not always go according to plan. This is something to cherish! Amazing teaching moments often come from the unexpected! How do we balance a well-designed lesson plan with the openness to pivot when circumstances offer new possibilities? This workshop with UMass grad student Larry Flynn will provide concrete tools and new frameworks to implement in your classroom. Learn with us how to improvise with intention and confidence!
Improving Students’ Reading Skills in Any Discipline
Wednesday, August 14th - 10:30-11:30am (online) OR
Tuesday, September 24th - 4:00-5:15pm (209 Bartlett)
"My students never seem to do the reading!" But have you considered that students struggle with the assigned reading because their literacy level doesn’t match the course’s demands? By identifying the skills students need and creating activities that teach students new skills, you can help move your students up the “literacy ladder” to college-level comprehension. Join UMass grad student Gennifer Dorgan to learn strategies to support your students!
Active Learning: The Power of Safe Spaces & Tech Tools
Wednesday, August 14th - 12:30-2:00pm (online) OR
Friday, September 13th - 1:30-3:00pm (209 Bartlett)
Do you wish more students would participate? Do you worry you’re not reaching everyone? Are you hoping to create a safe and welcoming learning community? From simple technology tips to group activities, UMass grad students Claudia Smith and Audra Dankwardt will dive into the world of active learning and engagement and explore a variety of ways to connect with students. Come learn to encourage participation, and feel more confident in the classroom!
Setting ALL Students Up for Success: Accessibility and Universal Design
Thursday, August 15th - 11:00am-12:00pm (online) OR
Wednesday, September 11th - 11:00am-12:00pm (209 Bartlett)
How can you create inclusive, accessible, and clear course materials students want to learn from? Join UMass grad student Nicole O’Connell to discover strategies to make your content more accessible for students and learn how Universal Design can apply to all your teaching. This workshop will also provide ideas and language for teaching philosophies and diversity statements.
Engaging Emotions During Social Justice Conversations
Friday, August 16th - 12:00-1:15pm (online) OR
Friday, September 20th - 11:45am-1:15pm (209 Bartlett)
Often, we are taught that expressing emotions is inappropriate for the classroom. But engaging in social justice conversations, with words like “injustice,” “oppression,” and “privilege,” can evoke big feelings in students. Anticipating reactions like anger, resistance, shame, guilt, and sadness can make us uneasy, discouraging us from starting the conversation. But what if engaging in these emotions can actually help deepen students’ learning? UMass grad student Jayna Tavarez will draw from embodied pedagogies to discuss some of the most common responses that arise during social justice conversations and contemplative tools to engage with, rather than ignore or avoid, these emotions.
Focusing on What Matters Most When Teaching Multilingual Students
Tuesday, August 20th - 11:00am-12:00pm (online) OR
Tuesday, September 10th - 11:00am-12:00pm (209 Bartlett)
It's almost a guarantee that you will teach multilingual students! So, are you ready to unlock the potential of language diversity in your classroom? Join UMass grad student Othniel Williams to explore the classroom experiences of multilingual students and learn ways of creating a linguistically inclusive classroom. Come with uncertainties and leave with strategies to support your multilingual students.
Better Collaborative Problem Solving: The Driver-Navigator Approach
Thursday, August 22nd - 11:00am-12:00pm (online) OR
Monday, September 16th - 10:00-11:00am (209 Bartlett)
Enhancing learning and problem-solving through student collaboration is invaluable, but it requires more than simply telling students to "work together." In this workshop with UMass grad student Allison Poh, we will dive into the driver-navigator approach, a powerful strategy with clear roles for students to effectively collaborate. Learn the approach and make a plan to use it in your class!
How to Incorporate Reflection into Your Class
Thursday, August 22nd - 1:00-2:00pm (online) OR
Thursday, September 12th - 10:00-11:00am (209 Bartlett).
Unsure if your students are actually learning? Reflect with exit tickets! Never know what to do after a challenging class discussion? Reflect with minute papers! Do your students keep making the same mistakes? Reflect with assignment wrappers! Join UMass grad student Anna McCarter to explore the many ways that you can incorporate reflection into your class.
Honoring Student Identity to Create Community in the Classroom
Monday, August 26th - 12:00-1:15pm (online) OR
Thursday, September 19th - 2:15-3:30pm (804 Campus Center)
Students learn and thrive when they have a sense of belonging in their classes. The classroom should be a place where students are heard, supported, and motivated. To do so, we must recognize that every student is a complex individual—each with a rich tapestry of identities, experiences, and expectations. Join UMass grad student Ọmọ́gbọ́láhàn Bello to discuss how we can support our students personally and academically. Also part of the JEDI Conference!
Teaching Strategies for the First Day of Class
Tuesday, August 27th - 10:00-11:00am (online)
*Will repeat in January
You never get a second chance to make a first impression! In fact, studies show that students’ ultimate opinions of a course are often formed on the first day. How can you use that time to your advantage? In this workshop, UMass grad student Adam Grimmitt will provide tips to help maximize your first meeting with students. This workshop is perfect for both instructors and teaching assistants who would like to use their first day of class to help set the right tone for the semester.