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Graduate Student Instructor Teaching Academy

Graduate Student Instructor Teaching Academy

The Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) Teaching Academy supports teaching excellence at Ohio University by providing GSIs with extended professional development opportunities that deepen their understanding of evidence-based approaches to instruction and strengthen their implementation of these strategies in their classrooms. GSI Teaching Academy programming spans the fall and spring semesters and includes four important components described in detail below: 1) professional development workshops, 2) peer mentoring, 3) teaching observations and 4) support developing a teaching portfolio. 

  • GSI Academy Application Process

    Ohio University graduate students serving as instructors of record or teaching assistants are eligible and encouraged to apply for the academy. New academy cohorts are selected each fall semester. The application requests contact and teaching information, asks applicants to briefly reflect on their motivation for joining the academy and their availability to participate in required workshops, sessions, meetings and teaching observations. The application can be completed in less than 30 minutes.

    The application deadline for the 2024-25 cohort is Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. The application is linked here. Applicants will be notified of application status by Friday, Sept. 6. 

    Apply to the Academy

GSI Academy Specifics

Academy Goals and Outcomes

The GSI Teaching Academy prepares instructors for teaching, especially introductory undergraduate courses; equips them with a set of instructional practices that are learner-centered and evidence-based; and promotes methods for refining teaching effectiveness. Participants completing the GSI Academy will be able to:

  • Define scholarly teaching.
  • Implement evidence-based instructional strategies.
  • Develop assignments with clear goals and criteria for successful completion.
  • Provide and respond to feedback on teaching.
  • Describe the value of student feedback in refining teaching practices.
  • Describe strategies for collecting student feedback.
  • Outline the backward course design process.
  • Articulate their own teaching philosophy and effective teaching practices.
  • Create teaching documents needed to apply for faculty positions in higher education.

Completion Requirements

GSIs admitted to the academy who fulfill the following requirements will earn a certificate of completion:

  • Complete seven professional development workshop modules
  • Participate in a peer mentoring group
  • Complete peer teaching observation program training
  • Develop a teaching portfolio

Requirements must be completed during the GSI Academy academic year.

Academy Components

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS

The GSI Academy offers the following workshop modules:

  • Evidence-based Instructional Strategies
  • Assessing Student Learning: Did They Get It?
  • Facilitating Classroom Discussions
  • Conducting Peer Teaching Observations
  • Using Student Feedback to Improve Instruction
  • Course Design Basics
  • Creating a Teaching Portfolio

PEER MENTORING

Academy participants will join peer mentoring groups that provide further support throughout the program. Mentoring groups will meet several times each semester to extend the learning of the workshops and to support one another’s teaching efforts. 

TEACHING OBSERVATIONS

Academy participants will be trained to conduct teaching observations focused on effective teaching practice and will provide feedback on one another’s teaching. Each observation will include a short meeting prior to the observation and a post-observation debrief meeting to share feedback and discuss next steps. 

TEACHING PORTFOLIO

Academy participants will receive guidance on constructing a teaching portfolio, including crafting an effective statement of teaching philosophy and documenting their teaching effectiveness, which can be used when applying for faculty positions. 

Contact Information

For more information about the GSI Academy, contact:

  • Jeremy Henkel (jhenkel@ohio.edu), CTLA Associate Director for Faculty Programming
  • Allyson Hallman-Thrasher (hallman@ohio.edu), Graduate College Associate Dean for Student Success
  • Nathan Blackburn (blackburnn@ohio.edu), Graduate College Director of Communications and Professional Development

2024-25 GSI Academy Workshop Schedule

Academy workshops are designed and scheduled to provide just-in-time support to current Graduate Student Instructors. Fall semester introduces topics and experiences, while spring semester allows for further reflection and development. GSI Academy workshops may also be found on the CTLA events page. Below is the 2023-24 schedule as an example. Check back for this academic year's schedule.