The CIRTL Postdoc Pathways Program is a year-long commitment and fellows will need to participate in both semesters to complete the program.
Pathway Overview:
SEMESTER 1: STEP 1 (PREPARE & PLAN)
In the first semester, CIRTL fellows will learn about evidence-based teaching by completing an online pedagogy course, participating in a learning community (FLC) with other postdocs, taking a teaching workshop on a topic of their choice, and selecting their teaching mentor. Once they have selected a teaching mentor and the mentor agrees, they will set up a working plan for the following semester, which will include establishing a timeline and goals for the project and designating who will be responsible for what during the partnership. Both partners must agree to adhere to a collaborative co-teaching model, where both members plan, give/receive feedback, and actively collaborate. This plan must be submitted to and approved by CIRTL before the partnership begins.
In my job interviews last year, I did a Powerpoint for my teaching demo. Because of this program, this year I completely transformed my demo into a lecture with an active learning activity where we solved graphs together….I think I can say it worked really well (because I got the job!). – Katherine (2022-2023 fellow)
SEMESTER 2: STEP 2 (TEACH & REFLECT)
In the second semester, CIRTL fellows will complete their short-term co-teaching assignment, participate in a supportive learning community, and attend occasional check-in luncheons and social events with other fellows. During the partnership, participants should expect to:
- Keep a weekly journal of their teaching successes and areas for improvement
- Prepare and deliver lessons, assess student work, and engage in other teaching-related duties
- Meet on a weekly basis with their teaching mentor to discuss course-related topics
- Write a final post-partnership reflection and compile materials into a CIRTL learning portfolio
Pathway Activities Checklist:
Semester 1: Prep & Plan
- Take 8-week online CIRTL MOOC, “An Introduction to Evidence-Based Undergraduate STEM Teaching”
- Participate in a learning community
- Identify faculty to co-teach with for the next semester & design co-teaching project
Semester 2: Teach & Reflect
- Co-teach with faculty mentor
- Participate in a second learning community
- Complete learning portfolio
Flex (take at any time):
- Take a CIRTL workshop or additional course (your choice)