Teaching Academy 2024 Tracks
What are Tracks?
We have grouped our Teaching Academy workshops into tracks. We think you will find value in attending all in a track - or design your own (see the last option below).
Tracks can help you document your commitment to teaching and professional development! While a workshop's true value is how it can impact your success in the classroom, documenting your dedication to teaching - such as on your CV - can be an important career asset. When you participate in a track, please feel free to modify and use the sample CV entry below. You can place it in your CV after “Teaching Experience” in a section such as “Pedagogical Professional Development” or “Teaching Workshops Attended.”
Tracks can help you when you are overwhelmed with all the workshops! We like to offer many options so that there is something for everyone and something that fits in your schedule, but this can feel like too many choices! These tracks will help you narrow down your choices, and help you see how a series of 2-4 workshops is valuable for your professional development.
Not teaching right now? No worries! It’s always the right time to improve your teaching skills, so do join us!
Pedagogical Foundations and Classroom Management
Active Learning and First Day are workshops that I recommend to all TAs and instructors, especially those feeling a bit apprehensive about the start of school. New TAs are invited to start here!
- What’s It Like to Be a Teaching Assistant at UMass? (as relevant) (August 26, August 28, and September 6)
- Succeeding as an International Teaching Assistant (as relevant) (August 29 only)
- Active Learning: The Power of Safe Spaces & Tech Tools (August 14 and September 13)
- Teaching Strategies for the First Day of Class (August 27 only)
In your CV:
Fall 2024 “Pedagogical Foundations and Classroom Management,” (2.5-5 hours *depending on what you attend) Graduate School Teaching Academy, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Inclusive Teaching and Equity in Education
This track is right for ALL TAs and instructors, as equity in the classroom is an institutional value at UMass. Whether you complete the track, or choose a single workshop, you are working to help all students feel a sense of belonging, which correlates strongly with traditional student success and academic achievement (UMass).
- Setting ALL Students Up for Success: Accessibility and Universal Design (August 15 and September 11)
- Engaging Emotions During Social Justice Conversations (August 16 and September 20)
- Focusing on What Matters Most When Teaching Multilingual Students (August 20 and September 10)
- Honoring Student Identity to Create Community in the Classroom (August 26 and September 19)
In your CV:
Fall 2024 “Inclusive Teaching and Equity in Education,” (4.75 hours *depending on what you attend) Graduate School Teaching Academy, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Dynamic Teaching Strategies for Engagement
This track is ideal for returning TAs and instructors looking to dive deeper into specific pedagogical strategies!
- The “Yes, And” Spirit: Adaptability in the Student-Driven Classroom (August 13 or September 20)
- How to Incorporate Reflection into Your Class (August 22 or September 12)
- Depending on your teaching assignment:
- Improving Students’ Reading Skills in Any Discipline (August 14 or September 24) and/or
- Better Collaborative Problem Solving: The Driver-Navigator Approach (August 22 or September 16)
In your CV:
Fall 2024 “Dynamic Teaching Strategies for Engagement,” (3 hours *depending on what you attend) Graduate School Teaching Academy, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Pedagogical Pathways: Build Your Own Professional Development
No track right for you and your schedule? Build your own series of 2-4 (or more!) workshops. Still not sure what to choose? You might choose 1 from each of the above tracks for a broad exposure to best practices!
In your CV:
Fall 2024 “Pedagogical Pathways,” (4 hours *depending on what you attend) Graduate School Teaching Academy, University of Massachusetts Amherst