CTE Intern: Pedagogical Development of Graduate Students

Organization

The Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) at University of Virginia is dedicated to building collegial community, enhancing teaching and learning, and fostering teaching innovation for instructors at all levels and in all academic disciplines. The CTE believes that striving for excellence in teaching is an iterative, dynamic, and scholarly process that spans an instructor’s entire academic career. We promote teaching that is evidence-based, learner-centered, and rooted in equitable and inclusive practices. The CTE serves all UVA instructors through intensive institutes, learning communities, workshops, and individual consultations.

Sponsor

Adriana Streifer, Assistant Director and Assistant Professor

Purpose

The intern will contribute to the CTE’s mission of supporting excellence in teaching and learning at UVA. In particular, the intern will further the CTE’s goal of developing graduate students’ teaching skills thereby empowering them to be more effective TAs and instructors, and preparing them for successful faculty careers. By contributing to graduate-focused programs and research projects, the intern will be instrumental to the CTE’s approach to teaching as a scholarly, evidence-based, and learner-centered practice.

Career Development 

This internship will prepare intern for careers in any of the following

  • Faculty
  • Teaching

Responsibilities

The intern will help to design and implement programs that provide professional development opportunities to graduate students across UVA, such as Tomorrow’s Professors Today, Teaching as a Graduate Student summer orientation(TAGS), and the PhD Plus Graduate Liaisons. Acting as a mentor or leader for these programs, the intern will develop and facilitate workshops, and produce online resources to support the development of their fellow graduate students as teachers. The intern may also fill the role of “training the trainer” – that is, overseeing the development and facilitation of other peer- led graduate student teaching workshops.

Skills Development

This internship will provide experiences to develop and polish the following skills

  • Communicating to diverse audience

  • Inter-disciplinary team collaboration

  • Project Management and Leadership

  • Teaching, Mentoring and Training

    Mentoring Plan

    The intern will receive ongoing mentorship and support from the CTE faculty member(s) who oversee the programs and projects to which the intern contributes. Interns will strengthen skills in teaching, peer mentoring, workshop development, public speaking, and communication, particularly as these relate to educational settings. The internship also affords the intern the opportunity to explore educational development as a potential career path, reflect on the array of non-traditional career paths available to them within the academy, and develop strength in collaboration skills. Overall, with the support of CTE faculty mentors, the intern will develop a deeper understanding of pedagogical practices in higher education.

    Desired Qualities

    The CTE welcomes applicants from all academic backgrounds and disciplines. We seek mid or late-stage graduate students who have a record of good teaching and familiarity with course design (to be augmented with participation in the CTE’s Course Design Institute). Ideal applicants will not only be innovative and effective teachers, but will also demonstrate a desire to support the pedagogical development of their peers. Applicants should possess strong interpersonal, communication, and public speaking skills. Prior experience with mentoring or otherwise supporting the development of graduate students’ teaching skills (formally or informally) is desired, but not required.

    Duration and Effort

    The internship will commence in Fall of 2020 and continue through academic year 2020-2021 at an average effort of 10 hours per week. The intern must also be available to attend the CTE’s Course Design Institute, choosing between the weeks of May 18-22 or June 1-5.

    Funding

    The internship pays $5000 per semester (the equivalent of teaching or serving as a TA for one course).

    Application

    Please compile the following materials, in the order presented below, into a single PDF and upload through the online application form.

    1. CV (including academic and professional experience)
    2. Cover Letter describing
    • The applicant’s interest in the internship
    • Prior experiences (if any) teaching and supporting the pedagogical development of other teachers (whether formally or informally)
    • What the applicant sees as the most important teaching-related professional development needs of their peers
    • how the position connects to their own career and professional development aspirations
    1. A 1-2 page reflective teaching statement
    2. Endorsement of good academic standing and suitability for an internship from Director of Graduate Studies or Advisor