GTA Academy

    The University of Louisville Graduate Teaching Assistant Academy

    Apply for the Spring 2024 GTA Academy Part 2 by Monday, January 15

    The Graduate Teaching Assistant Academy, established at UofL during 2008-2009, has been a year-long series of sessions designed to teach knowledge, skills, and excellence in college teaching. Each cohort of students participates in interactive workshops along with faculty mentors selected for their expertise in teaching. Beginning in 2017-2018, the GTA Academy was restructured into two parts: The GTA Academy Part I: Introduction to Teaching in Higher Education and The GTA Academy Part II: Advanced Concepts and Strategies in Post-Secondary Teaching.  

     

    The GTA Academy Part I: Introduction to Teaching in Higher Education

     The GTA Academy Part I: Introduction to Teaching in Higher Education, is a semester-long series of nine sessions in the fall designed to introduce graduate students to college teaching. Each cohort of students participants in an integrated, cohesive set of sessions along with faculty mentors selected for their expertise in teaching. Content is targeted toward beginning learners and those wishing to frame their understanding of teaching to a higher education environment. Content for the academy includes learning, motivation, and student development theory, learning assessment, proactive classroom management, designing assignments, activities, and effective "lessons", crafting a statement of teaching philosophy, and practice teaching for peers. Graduate students who complete this academy will leave with a teaching toolkit, teaching philosophy statement, preparations for a teaching portfolio, and practice with a mini-teaching opportunity. 

    The GTA Academy Part II: Advanced Concepts and Strategies in Post-Secondary Teaching

    The GTA Academy Part II: Advanced Concepts and Strategies in Post-Secondary Teaching, is a semester-long series of sessions designed to build on existing understanding, experience, and skills in teaching and learning at the post-secondary level.  Graduate students who have completed a prior GTA Academy, as well as those who have completed a course in college teaching or have a degree in teaching are invited to apply to this more in-depth series of sessions designed to provide graduate students an opportunity to learn about college teaching in a deeper and more interactive way. Faculty with excellence in research and teaching will be invited to join sessions as both faculty and participants. The format of the GTA Academy Part II is in direct response to both good practices in future faculty development as well as feedback directly from graduate students (both those who have participated in earlier versions of the GTA Academy and those that have been unable to). Specific aspects included in GTA Academy Part II include additional session topics, more in-depth discussion and resource sharing, opportunities to observe and be observed for reflection and practice, practical next-steps for those teaching more independently or for on-the-job-market preparation, and active work towards a teaching portfolio.

    Graduate students selected to participate in the GTA Academy Part II will complete:

    • 6 Academy Sessions
    • A Teaching Portfolio, including:
      • A course design document (multiple options are available to complete this component)
      • A teaching philosophy statement
      •  Expert teacher observation and discussion
      • A co-teaching experience during the semester, about a teaching/learning topic, to be presented to the rest of the academy members, during which each student will be asked to provide quality feedback to the grad instructors of the session
      • Reflection of completion of the above requirements, on what they have learned throughout the process and how this knowledge has impacted their teaching or how they might apply it to their future teaching. Reflection must be between 3-7 pages.

     Graduate students who complete all aspects of the GTA Academy Part II will receive a GTA Academy Part II: Advanced Concepts and Strategies in Post-Secondary Teaching transcript milestone line, as well as be recognized at the annual Dean’s Reception.

    The GTA Academy is a collaborative program between the Graduate School and the Delphi Center for Teaching and Learning. To accommodate as many students as possible, we rotate the day of the week on which the GTA Academy is held each year. Applications are available in the timeline below.

     

     

    Why Should You Participate in the GTA Academy?

    • Gain valuable knowledge, skills, and experience with the scholarship of teaching and learning in higher education.
    • Gain practical strategies, tools, resources to help you immediately.
    • Interact with faculty mentors and graduate students from across the university to network and gain a broad perspective of teaching and learning in higher education.
    • Cohort members who attend at least seven of nine sessions will receive a certificate acknowledging their participation and a milestone item for their transcripts.
    • Bolster your CV or resume to prepare for your job search.

    Fall 2023 GTA Academy Part I: Introduction to Teaching in Higher Education Schedule 

    All sessions will be held on the Tuesdays listed below, from 2:30-4:30PM. Sessions will be held in-person.

     

    Fall 2023 GTA Academy Part I Application Process

    Spring 2024 GTA Academy Part II: Advanced Concepts and Strategies in Post-Secondary Teaching

    Sessions will be held in person on the following Thursdays, 2-4pm:

    • February 1
    • February 8
    • February 15
    • February 22
    • February 29
    • March 7

     

    Spring 2024 GTA Academy Part 2 Application Process

    Applying for the GTA Academy

    All graduate students are encouraged to apply, though graduate students who currently have, have had, or will have a teaching assistantship will receive priority. In addition to completing the application form, students are required to have a faculty mentor, graduate program director, or chair send an e-mail to the Dean of the Graduate School, and , Director of Professional Development, Retention, and Success, indicating approval of the student’s participation in the academy.

    Participation in the Graduate Teaching Academy will be limited and competitive, with priority given to a disciplinary diversity of participants. GTAs who are accepted into the GTA Academy and complete the requisite number of sessions will receive a certificate of completion, a transcript milestone line, and be recognized at the Annual Graduate Student Dean's Reception. 

    If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Dr. Michelle Rodems or 502-852-3110.

     

    Here's what former GTA Academy members have to say about their experiences:

    "I feel like I know more, both about how to teach more effectively at this level and where to find resources when I still have questions."

    "It really helped to define and shape the kind of teacher I want to be and gave me the skills and resources to make it happen."

    "Participating in GTA academy has influenced me to be much more reflective about my teaching. I spend a lot of time thinking about what does and doesn’t work in a particular class session and how I can improve in the future. Additionally I now have a tool kit I can rely on."

    "The attendance of the GTA allowed me to reflect on several elements of the teaching and learning process; with understanding the theory and models. It was very nice to know the possibility to hear from actual faculty perspective."

    Can’t Participate?

    We know that sometimes your schedule or other obligations prevent you from participating in the GTA Academies. That doesn’t mean you can’t gain knowledge, skills, and experience with teaching. Other opportunities include:

    • Attend PLAN workshops related to teaching and learning
    • Review our resources related to teaching and learning

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