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Graduate Student Instructor Teaching Academy

Graduate Student Instructor Teaching Academy

The Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) 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 Academy programming spans the fall and spring semesters and includes three important components described in detail below: 1) workshops, 2) teaching observations, and 3) (optional) peer and faculty mentoring opportunities.

The GSI Academy is especially valuable to those seeking careers as faculty or elsewhere in higher education, as the completion recognition, teaching philosophy, and DEI statement contribute directly to their Curriculum Vitae and supporting materials needed for the academic job market.

Academy participants also have the opportunity to connect with one another and faculty mentors. Faculty mentors have extensive experience teaching undergraduates and a sustained record of teaching excellence. They participate in the academy by providing teaching observations and bringing together GSI Mentor Groups two to three times each semester.

  • 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 2023-24 cohort is Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023. Applicants will be notified of application status by Friday, Sept. 8.

    Apply to the Academy

GSI Academy Specifics

Academy Goals and Outcomes

The GSI 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:

  • Outline the backward course design process.
  • Develop assignments with clear goals and criteria for successful completion.
  • Describe strategies for collecting student feedback.
  • Describe the value of student feedback in refining teaching practices.
  • Define scholarly teaching.
  • Implement evidence-based instructional strategies.
  • Respond to feedback on teaching.
  • Articulate their own teaching philosophy and inclusive 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:

  • Participate in seven professional development workshops (five required, plus two of the participant’s choice)
  • Participate in two formative teaching observations conducted by CTLA teaching experts or faculty mentors
  • Develop a teaching philosophy and a DEI statement

Requirements must be completed during the GSI Academy academic year.

Academy Components

WORKSHOPS

The GSI Academy offers the following workshops, which are open to all graduate students:

  • Course Design Basics and Transparency in Learning and Teaching *
  • Using Student Feedback to Improve Instruction *
  • Facilitating Classroom Discussions *
  • Assessing Student Learning: Did They Get It? *
  • Today’s Learners and Engagement Strategies
  • Evidence-based Instructional Strategies *
  • Inclusive Pedagogy and DEI Statement
  • Developing a Teaching Portfolio and Philosophy

* Required Sessions for Academy Completion

TEACHING OBSERVATIONS

Teaching observations focused on effective teaching practice will be conducted by CTLA faculty mentors at least twice during the academic year. Each observation will include a short meeting prior to the observation to share background on the class observed and discuss teaching goals and a post-observation debrief meeting to share feedback and discuss next steps. Participants will be provided a written summary of the feedback across the observations that could be included in a teaching portfolio or academic job search materials.

FACULTY AND PEER MENTORING

Academy participants also have the opportunity to connect with one another and with faculty mentors who have extensive experience teaching undergraduates and a sustained record of teaching excellence. Faculty mentors participate in the academy by providing teaching observations and bringing together GSI Mentor Groups two to three times each semester. Mentor and peer groups are developed by theme, including the following:

  • International Graduate Student Instructors
  • STEM Instructors
  • First-time teachers
  • Online Teaching

Academy participants are encouraged to join a mentor and peer group that is appropriate to their needs or interests.

Contact Information

For more information about the GSI Academy, contact:

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

2023-24 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. Depending on GSI Academy participant and facilitator schedules, some times and dates may be adjusted. Registration links are included. GSI Academy workshops may also be found on the CTLA events page.