TA and Postdoc Teaching Programs & Initiatives 

The Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching supports Postdoc and TA (graduate and undergraduate) teaching excellence. We currently offer several programs and initiatives either specifically designed for Postdocs and TAs, or with specialized cohorts for Postdocs and TAs.

• TA Teaching Development
  Starting in Fall 2020, in a partnership with the Graduate School, CELT began offering TA Training for all new doctoral students and Master’s students who will teach. This introduction to evidence-based strategies and relevant issues in college teaching has expanded into a 2 part online course delivered in Brightspace; a combination of asynchronous modules on key college teaching topics as well as interactive scenario-based discussions. For more information or if your program is interested in additional components or small in-person sessions, please contact us! 
• College Teaching Seminars

  CELT College Teaching Seminars Fall 2024/Spring 2025

  Registration Link

  Offered in partnership with the Center for Inclusive Education (CIE), the College Teaching Seminars is a bi-weekly seminar series open to all graduate TAs and Postdocs. The series continues throughout the academic year with 1.5-hour sessions on relevant topics in college teaching such as Inclusive Pedagogy and Student Engagement. The sessions are a mix of interactive sessions and panel discussions, facilitated by CELT/CIE staff and faculty guest speakers.  

  Fall 2024 Seminars

  Seminar Description	Facilitator/Date/Time/Location
  Seminar Description SEMINAR 1: Introduction to College Teaching - Building a Welcoming and Engaging Learning Environment   We will explore strategies for creating an inclusive and effective learning environment where students feel they belong and can succeed. Topics covered include building positive relationships with students, making inclusive course design choices, using engaging teaching methods, and fostering a growth mindset. You will reflect on your own learning experiences and brainstorm ways to apply inclusive practices in your discipline.	Facilitator/Date/Time/Location Kimberly Bell TA Development Specialist, CELT Wednesday 10/9, 3:00-4:30pm Old Computer Science 2401/Zoom
  Seminar Description SEMINAR 2: Overview of Scientific Teaching Scientific Teaching is a framework of teaching designed specifically for teaching science in higher education. Drawing on large domains of effective pedagogy practices including Diversity, Active Learning, and Assessment we can reframe how we think of science courses and begin to develop strategies to bring these foundations of effective learning into our teaching.	Facilitator/Date/Time/Location Marvin O'Neal Senior Lecturer, Undergraduate Biology Wednesday  10/23, 3:00-4:30pm Old Computer Science 2401/Zoom
  Seminar Description SEMINAR 3: Course Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) and the Wormlab  Course Based Undergraduate Research Experiences, or CUREs are a great way for students to get involved in research. Involving students in authentic research is more engaging than traditional lab courses and encourages deeper critical thinking and analysis. In this session, we will hear about an innovative CURE lab offered at SBU, the Sustainability Studies Earthworm Ecotoxicology Lab.	Facilitator/Date/Time/Location Sharon Pochron Assistant Professor, SoMAS Wednesday 11/6, 3:00-4:30pm *Life Sciences 004
  Seminar Description SEMINAR 4:   Developing Inclusive & Antiracist Pedagogy  We will explore further strategies and practices to create inclusive and equitable learning environments. You will engage in critical self-reflection to develop awareness of systemic inequities and oppressive power dynamics, and to foster anti-racist teaching practices. This helps us prevent negative impacts on our students, and perhaps more importantly, develop strategies for open and honest communication when we inevitably make mistakes.	Facilitator/Date/Time/Location Tracey Walters Professor, Literature and Africana Studies Wednesday 11/20, 3:00-4:30pm Zoom only

  
  Spring 2025 Seminars

  Seminar Description	Facilitator/Date/Time/Location
  Seminar Description SEMINAR 5: Neuroinclusive Teaching You may not be aware of the neurodiversity in your classroom, but your pedagogy can still support all students. In this session we will explain how neurodiversity may impact student learning experiences, use knowledge of neurodiversity to critically examine commonly used pedagogical best practices, and identify teaching strategies you can adapt in your discipline that support the strengths of your learners.	Facilitator/Date/Time/Location Kimberly Bell TA Development Specialist, CELT Kristin Hall Senior Instructional Designer, CELT Wednesday 2/12, 3:00-4:30pm Old Computer Science 2401/Zoom
  Seminar Description SEMINAR 6:  AI in the Classroom  Using AI intentionally in your teaching can help prevent its misuse. Being mindful of a rapidly evolving AI landscape, we will discuss general implications of AI in the classroom, hear examples of how to incorporate AI into assignments and projects, and share practices for how AI can help make your life as an instructor easier.	Facilitator/Date/Time/Location Luis Colón Instructional Designer, CELT Wednesday 2/26, 3:00-4:30pm Old Computer Science 2401/Zoom
  Seminar Description SEMINAR 7:  Using Active Learning Effectively  Expanding on what we have touched upon briefly in previous sessions, we will take a deeper dive into how to use selected active learning activities in a way that supports all students, discuss some common concerns and misconceptions around active learning, and explore practices for active learning in large courses.	Facilitator/Date/Time/Location Kimberly Bell TA Development Specialist, CELT Wednesday  3/12. 3:00-4:30pm Old Computer Science 2401/Zoom
  Seminar Description SEMINAR 8: Panel Discussion with IRACDA Postdocs  In this panel discussion you will hear from CIE IRACDA Postdocs who have taught both in local institutions such as Suffolk County Community College, Farmingdale State College, SUNY Old Westbury, and Brooklyn College and beyond. They will share stories and advice from their experiences.	Facilitator/Date/Time/Location IRACDA Postdoc Panelists TBD Wednesday 3/26, 3:00-4:30pm Old Computer Science 2401/Zoom

• Online Teaching Course (OTC)
  Our Online Teaching Course (OTC) is a facilitated online asynchronous course with a 5-week or 2.5 week accelerated option. There are 5 modules to dive deeper into theory and practice of effective online teaching and learning. Check our events page for upcoming courses. Each course cohort is typically a mix of faculty, TAs, and Postdocs, but we can offer specialized cohorts for program/department by request.
• Class Visits, Feedback & Guided Self Assessment
  Whether you are an instructor of record looking for a series of class visits, need tips to improve lab or group facilitation, or want to discuss your grading practices, we will create a plan with you and provide feedback about your teaching or courses. We can visit your in-person or synchronous online class one or more times, review your syllabi, or review your asynchronous course. The first step is a consultation meeting to discuss options, as well as your teaching practices and goals. Learn more about the classvisit process here. If you would like to schedule a meeting or need more information, please complete this Google Form. 
• Learning Communities
  Learning communities are groups that work together toward a common goal. If you have a small group interested in meeting to set goals, learn from each other, and explore important issues in college teaching, consider forming a learning community that CELT can help facilitate. We can help with your initial goal setting, finding resources, and providing teaching development during the meetings, you would bring your group together, schedule meetings, and be in contact with CELT staff. If you are interested in forming a learning community, please tell us more information in this Google Form.  
• Teaching Statements and Teaching Talks
  We offer interactive workshops to help you get started with writing your statement of teaching philosophy for applications, as well as individual consultations for development and editing. We can also preview your teaching talk/demonstration in preparation for an interview and provide feedback. Check our events page for upcoming workshops, or email us to request a workshop for your group or an individual consultation.
• Consultations
  You can make an appointment for a consultation with our TA Development Specialist or another CELT staff member to discuss any aspect of the services listed above or any other aspect of your teaching you need support with. If you are interested in a consultation please send an email to celt@stonybrook.edu.