Preparing Future Faculty

As part of the College of Graduate Studies Professional Development Initiative, the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning provides dedicated instructional and pre-faculty development support for all Ph.D. students, TAs, and Post-Docs.

The purpose of the Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) program is to provide a differentiating experience and competitive advantage for our graduate student and post-doctoral scholars entering the market, and to positively affect the teaching and learning experience of all instructional faculty and students at the University of Idaho.

Woven into the fabric of the Professional Development Initiative (PDI), the Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) program provides a full complement of services designed to support the professional growth and development of our graduate students and post-docs, with an emphasis on—and credentialing in—higher education pedagogy. In the span of an academic year, the PFF program provides concrete evidence of professional preparation for the academy for all U of I graduate students and post-docs.

The PFF program consists of seven main features:

• A year-long seminar culminating in a micro-credentialing in higher education pedagogy
• Dedicated teaching mentors
• Skilled instructional observations
• Assistance with "job-talk" and teaching demonstration preparation and simulations
• Exposure to diversity and inclusion policies, practices, and opportunities
• Engagement with representatives from different institutional types
• Individualized and collaborative support for all areas of future faculty success

The Preparing Future Faculty Seminar

Led by faculty experts in higher education pedagogy, faculty development, and course design and delivery strategies, the PFF Seminar follows a logical sequence that, while not necessarily cumulative, does follow a linear trajectory to confidence, competence, and excellence in instruction across all instructional modalities. In the span of one year, all graduate students and post-doctoral scholars will have tangible evidence of their accomplishments in teaching and learning, with an opportunity in subsequent years to explore, adapt, and adopt advanced pedagogical techniques.

Seminar Schedule

The PFF Seminar is offered bi-weekly on Wednesdays from 6:00-7:15pm, according to the schedule, below. Location: ALB 201, Moscow, ID.

FALL 2018

• Aug 22: Introduction: Teaching for Learning
• Sep 5: Diversity and Inclusion in Teaching and Learning
• Sep 19: Course Design/Building Successful Class
• Oct 3: Exploring Effective Teaching Strategies (across instructional modalities)
• Oct 17: Existing and Emerging Technologies for Teaching and Learning
• Oct 31: Transparency in Teaching and Learning – Creating Effective Assignments
• Nov 14: Outcomes and Assessment
• Nov 28: Informal Reflection and Next Steps Session

SPRING 2019

• Jan 23: How to Handle Hot Topics and Difficult Dialogues in the Classroom
• Feb 6: Motivating and Engaging Students
• Feb 20: Reflection and Metacognition
• Mar 6: Self-Regulated Learning
• Mar 20: Developing a Teaching Philosophy
• Apr 3: Collaborative Session: Peer Review
• Apr 17: Institutional Types and Environments
• May 1: Informal Session: Year in Review, What's Next?