Teaching Consultant Program

Program Description

The TC Program is a semester-long learning community for graduate students and postdocs, where participants deepen their knowledge of evidence-based, inclusive teaching practices and develop skills in peer-workshop facilitation, online teaching, and providing feedback on teaching. TCs facilitate workshops for the Sheridan Teaching Seminar, meet regularly as a community of TCs, and write and revise a teaching statement to use in portfolios and/or the job market. The skills developed in the Teaching Consultant Program are broadly applicable to a number of academic and other professional careers.

The Teaching Consultant is open to applicants from all disciplinary backgrounds who have completed the Sheridan Teaching Seminar, and who hope to serve as leaders in the Sheridan Center. Because the program is designed as a small intensive learning community, enrollment is limited and dependent on an application process. In Fall 2023, TCs will receive a program certificate and a $600 award for successfully completing the program. Graduate students who complete all aspects of the program will also receive a notation on their official transcript.

Learning Objectives

Through participating in the Sheridan Center’s Teaching Consultants Program, you will:

  • Participate in an active, interdisciplinary, and collaborative community focused on pedagogy
  • Develop skills on online teaching through facilitating asynchronous discussions 
  • Build facilitation skills through leading synchronous workshops about teaching with diverse, multi-disciplinary groups
  • Articulate and model inclusive, evidence-based approaches to teaching and discussion facilitation.
  • Create and revise a teaching philosophy statement

Prerequisite

Completion of Sheridan Teaching Seminar (Certificate I).

Requirements 

Program Participation for new Teaching Consultants involves:

  • Full attendance at all synchronous TC program sessions (held in-person)
  • Facilitation of a Sheridan Teaching Seminar peer workshop section in-person or via Zoom (mark your preferences on the application). Please note that the Sheridan Teaching Seminar is being redesigned over the summer, so TCs will need to spend some time learning and reviewing new materials
  • Attend four facilitator pre-meetings (typically the hour before workshop sessions)
  • Participate in asynchronous TC program components & assignments
  • Write and revise a teaching statement
  • Provide peer feedback on teaching statements
  • Completion of pre- and post-program feedback survey

Returning Teaching Consultants

If you have completed the TC Program in the past, you may apply to return as a Returning TC (RTCs; formerly called “Experienced Teaching Consultants”). Returning TCs have the opportunity to continue their professional development by facilitating workshops, supporting the Sheridan Teaching Seminar, facilitating peer feedback sessions., and serving as mentors to new TCs. In Fall 2023, RTCs will receive a $700 award for successfully completing the program. For more on this, see the “Returning TCs” section of the application.

Program Requirements for Returning Teaching Consultants:

  • Attend all synchronous TC program sessions as an experienced TC/facilitator (held in-person)
  • Facilitate a Sheridan Teaching Seminar (Certificate I) workshop. Please note that the Sheridan Teaching Seminar is being redesigned over the summer, so Returning TCs will need to spend some time learning and reviewing new materials.
  • Attend four facilitator pre-meetings (typically the hour before workshop sessions)
  • Participate in selected asynchronous TC program components & assignments
  • Provide peer feedback on teaching statements
  • Serve as peer-mentor to new TCs
  • Optional revision of teaching statement
  • Completion of pre- and post-program feedback survey

Application Information

The Sheridan Teaching Consultant program is designed as a small, intensive learning community. For this reason, enrollment is limited and dependent on an application process. Criteria for selection include:

  • Ability to complete all program requirements - including session attendance and facilitation - as listed on the application
  • Statement of interest

For full consideration, please submit your completed application by June 30th, 2023. We may consider applications submitted after this date only if we have additional space in the program. We may invite applicants to interview, as needed. Applicants will be notified of decisions by the beginning of August, 2023.

Graduate students who are unable to attend all of the synchronous workshops are encouraged to participate in the Sheridan Center's other programs, including Teaching Essentials for Graduate TAs. We also invite you to sign up for the Sheridan Center’s Newsletter to stay up-to-date on other relevant programs, including round-tables and workshops.

If you have questions about the Sheridan Teaching Consultant Program, please contact Sara Misgen, Assistant Director of Interdisciplinary Teaching Communities at [email protected]