Professional Development
Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning
The Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning (formerly Center for Teaching Excellence) at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign enhances and supports excellence in teaching and learning across multiple formats. Most notably, they hold the campus-wide TA training program known as the Graduate Academy. I was able to take part in the Graduate Academy as a trainee in August, 2012, in order to receive formal training in some of the areas that I had previously been self-taught. The experience was quite useful, and the following year (August, 2013) I was asked to come back and teach one of the required group sessions on lesson planning, effective questioning strategies, and preparation for the microteaching session required as part of the training program. The following semester (January, 2014), I joined CITL as a Graduate Affiliate, reprising my previous roles with the Graduate Academy, as well as providing resources and feedback to TAs on their instruction and evaluation throughout the semester. Through my affiliation with CITL I was also able to learn of and participate in the 2013-2014 CITL Teaching Portfolio Program, of which this online portfolio is a result.
EOL 585: College Teaching
Spring 2012 (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign)
I had the opportunity to take this course offered by Prof. Michael Loui on effective college teaching, specifically designed for students who plan to pursue academic careers. Prof. Loui conducts research in the scholarship of teaching and learning, as well as engineering education, and has served as Editor for College Teaching and currently the Journal of Engineering Education. His extensive background in the field of engineering education made this class one of the most useful things I've ever done to improve my teaching skills. His class took a scholarly approach to curriculum and pedagogy at the college level, covering important topics including models of student development, instructional methods, active and cooperative learning, advising, evaluation and assessment, and classroom research. Prof. Loui also practiced what he preached, so in addition to the knowledge gained from his class, all of the instructional materials from the class were of exceptionally high quality, and continue to serve as a standard for the materials I develop for my classes.
I had the opportunity to take this course offered by Prof. Michael Loui on effective college teaching, specifically designed for students who plan to pursue academic careers. Prof. Loui conducts research in the scholarship of teaching and learning, as well as engineering education, and has served as Editor for College Teaching and currently the Journal of Engineering Education. His extensive background in the field of engineering education made this class one of the most useful things I've ever done to improve my teaching skills. His class took a scholarly approach to curriculum and pedagogy at the college level, covering important topics including models of student development, instructional methods, active and cooperative learning, advising, evaluation and assessment, and classroom research. Prof. Loui also practiced what he preached, so in addition to the knowledge gained from his class, all of the instructional materials from the class were of exceptionally high quality, and continue to serve as a standard for the materials I develop for my classes.
Teaching Certificates
Devised by the Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning (formerly Center for Teaching Excellence), the CITL Teaching Certificate Program was designed to meet the professional development needs and interests of teachers—faculty, academic professionals, and graduate students—at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I have completed several of these certificates as part of my ongoing efforts to improve my teaching.
Citizen Scholar Certificate
May 2014 View
This certificate is for teachers (faculty, APs, and TAs) who have opportunities to teach a service-learning course, and provides an opportunity to explore and participate in the scholarship of engagement. It requires teaching that incorporates service-learning, assessment of original work, exploration of pedagogy, engaged service or outreach research, and participation in a community of practice.
May 2014 View
This certificate is for teachers (faculty, APs, and TAs) who have opportunities to teach a service-learning course, and provides an opportunity to explore and participate in the scholarship of engagement. It requires teaching that incorporates service-learning, assessment of original work, exploration of pedagogy, engaged service or outreach research, and participation in a community of practice.
Certificate in Technology-Enhanced Teaching
May 2013 View
This certificate is for teachers (faculty, APs, and TAs) who have opportunities to teach using educational technologies, and provides an opportunity to explore educational technologies and to practice and assess technology-enhanced teaching. It requires teaching with a course management system, assessment of original work, exploration of pedagogy, observation, and workshop participation.
May 2013 View
This certificate is for teachers (faculty, APs, and TAs) who have opportunities to teach using educational technologies, and provides an opportunity to explore educational technologies and to practice and assess technology-enhanced teaching. It requires teaching with a course management system, assessment of original work, exploration of pedagogy, observation, and workshop participation.
Teacher Scholar Certificate
May 2013 View
This certificate is for teachers (faculty, APs, and TAs) who teach at least 3 semesters at Illinois, and provides a structured process for exploring pedagogy from a discipline-based perspective. It requires requires assessment of original work, exploration of pedagogy, discipline-based service, and a teaching philosophy statement.
May 2013 View
This certificate is for teachers (faculty, APs, and TAs) who teach at least 3 semesters at Illinois, and provides a structured process for exploring pedagogy from a discipline-based perspective. It requires requires assessment of original work, exploration of pedagogy, discipline-based service, and a teaching philosophy statement.
Graduate Teacher Certificate
May 2013 View
This certificate is for teaching assistants who teach at least 2 semesters at Illinois, and provides an opportunity to develop teaching skills and reflective practice. It requires pre-semester training, observation, use of student feedback, and workshop participation.
May 2013 View
This certificate is for teaching assistants who teach at least 2 semesters at Illinois, and provides an opportunity to develop teaching skills and reflective practice. It requires pre-semester training, observation, use of student feedback, and workshop participation.
Certificate in Foundations of Teaching
May 2013 View
This certificate is for graduate students who have limited teaching experience at Illinois, and provides an opportunity to explore teaching and prepare for academic responsibilities. It requires workshop participation, observations, reading, and a teaching philosophy statement.
May 2013 View
This certificate is for graduate students who have limited teaching experience at Illinois, and provides an opportunity to explore teaching and prepare for academic responsibilities. It requires workshop participation, observations, reading, and a teaching philosophy statement.