Upcoming Teaching Workshops!

OPD supports graduate students and postdocs teaching right now and helps prepare them for careers as teachers in higher education.
 
Teaching Across Borders: Navigating Teaching as an International TA in the US
Wednesday, August 5th - 12:00-1:15pm (online)
Will my students understand my accent? Will they take me seriously? How do I build confidence while navigating a new educational culture? Join international TA Scholastika Massawe for a conversation on credibility, belonging, language, and identity in the classroom. Drawing on research and lived experience, this workshop helps international TAs recognize their multilingual and transnational backgrounds as strengths for teaching and learning. Part of the Teaching Academy! 
 
Syllabus Sequence 4: Policies That Are More Empathetic and Less Bureaucratic
Thursday, August 6th - 12:00-1:30pm (online)
Create a syllabus this summer! This week, we'll talk about choosing policies for late-work, AI and technology use, plagiarism, attendance, and so on. These policies not only impact your classroom climate, but the wording you choose can make an immediate impact on your students. Make sure you are making the right first impression with your syllabus!
 
Making the Required Class Matter
Tuesday, August 11th - 12:00-1:15pm (online)
Are you teaching required material, but not sure how to get students interested? In this workshop, learn how to convince students why your material matters. UMass grad student Gretchen Hohmeyer shares single-class and semester-long strategies that changed her entire classroom environment. Part of the Teaching Academy! 

Supporting Multilingual Learners in Writing across Cultures
Thursday, August 13th - 1:00-2:15pm (online)
Multilingual students bring multiple languages and cultures of writing to college classrooms. So, are you ready to unlock the potential of this diversity in your class? Join UMass grad student Maryam Amiri to explore the writing experiences of multilingual students and learn teaching practices focused on their inclusion and writing development. Part of the Teaching Academy! 

Engaging Students with Authenticity as a TA
Friday, August 14th - 10:00-11:00am (online)
Great teaching isn't one-size-fits-all. In this workshop, we will discover research-backed strategies for crafting a classroom culture geared towards student engagement and tailored to your unique teaching style. Join UMass grad student Marissa Hanley for this interactive workshop designed for graduate students at any stage, with special value for those stepping into their first semester as a TA. Part of the Teaching Academy! 
 
Getting Students Talking: A New Tool for Engagement and Problem-Solving
Wednesday, August 19th - 9:00-10:00am (online)
Creating meaningful student engagement requires more than simply asking students to “turn and talk.” In this workshop with UMass grad student Abu Bony Amin, we will explore the predict–interact–feedback–reflect model, a structured strategy inspired by experiments, problem-solving, and real-time learning. Learn the approach and make a plan to use it in your class! Part of the Teaching Academy! 
 
What’s It Like to Be a Teaching Assistant at UMass? 
Monday, August 31st - 10:00am-12:00pm (online)
This short orientation session will introduce you to the role of being a teaching assistant at UMass, including supportive offices, legal 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) and Instructional Design, Engagement, and Support (IDEAS) 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! Part of the Teaching Academy! 
 
Create and Sustain Belonging in Your Classroom
Monday, August 31st - 1:00-2:00pm (online)
Early classroom activities are often designed to promote belonging, but how do we keep that feeling from fading as the semester rolls on? Join UMass grad student Christina Muoio for an interdisciplinary session on actionable strategies for embedding community-building routines regularly into your teaching. Part of the Teaching Academy! 

The First Day (and Beyond)
Tuesday, September 1st - 12:00-1:00pm (online)
You only have one chance to make a first impression and creating a sense of community in your class starts on day one! Join UMass grad student Larri Miller to learn how to integrate community-building activities and create a climate where every student feels seen, safe, and supported from start to finish. Part of the Teaching Academy! 

Teaching Across Borders: Navigating Teaching as an International TA in the US
Wednesday, September 2nd - 1:00-2:15pm (515 Goodell)
Will my students understand my accent? Will they take me seriously? How do I build confidence while navigating a new educational culture? Join international TA Scholastika Massawe for a conversation on credibility, belonging, language, and identity in the classroom. Drawing on research and lived experience, this workshop helps international TAs recognize their multilingual and transnational backgrounds as strengths for teaching and learning. Part of the Teaching Academy! 
 
Create and Sustain Belonging in Your Classroom
Thursday, September 10th - 1:00-2:00pm (515 Goodell)
Early classroom activities are often designed to promote belonging, but how do we keep that feeling from fading as the semester rolls on? Join UMass grad student Christina Muoio for an interdisciplinary session on actionable strategies for embedding community-building routines regularly into your teaching. Part of the Teaching Academy! 
 
What’s It Like to Be a Teaching Assistant at UMass? 
Friday, September 11th - 12:15-2:15pm (551 Goodell)
This short orientation session will introduce you to the role of being a teaching assistant at UMass, including supportive offices, legal 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) and Instructional Design, Engagement, and Support (IDEAS) 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! Part of the Teaching Academy! 
 
Making the Required Class Matter
Tuesday, September 15th - 1:00-2:15pm (515 Goodell)
Are you teaching required material, but not sure how to get students interested? In this workshop, learn how to convince students why your material matters. UMass grad student Gretchen Hohmeyer shares single-class and semester-long strategies that changed her entire classroom environment. Part of the Teaching Academy! 
 
Engaging Students with Authenticity as a TA
Friday, September 18th - 10:00-11:00am (551 Goodell)
Great teaching isn't one-size-fits-all. In this workshop, we will discover research-backed strategies for crafting a classroom culture geared towards student engagement and tailored to your unique teaching style. Join UMass grad student Marissa Hanley for this interactive workshop designed for graduate students at any stage, with special value for those stepping into their first semester as a TA. Part of the Teaching Academy! 
 
Supporting Multilingual Learners in Writing across Cultures
Wednesday, September 23rd - 12:00-1:15pm (551 Goodell)
Multilingual students bring multiple languages and cultures of writing to college classrooms. So, are you ready to unlock the potential of this diversity in your class? Join UMass grad student Maryam Amiri to explore the writing experiences of multilingual students and learn teaching practices focused on their inclusion and writing development. Part of the Teaching Academy!