UVM’s Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), Writing in the Disciplines Program (WID), and the Graduate College invite current UVM graduate students to participate in this program designed for those who are interested in pursuing a teaching career in higher education. Graduate students completing the program can earn formal recognition from the Graduate College on their transcript. 

The program is non-credit bearing and there are no out-of-pocket expenses for students. 

The program provides:

• Strategies and best practices to prepare instructors in higher education to teach a wide variety of students
• A supportive community who encourages ongoing professional development in teaching
• Support for preparing a teaching portfolio as the culminating activity in the program 

The capstone experience of the GTP is the Teaching Portfolio created in Brightspace. Its preparation encourages development of reflective teaching practices and will document participation in the program. Portfolio components include:

• Teaching Philosophy Statement
• Pedagogical growth through professional development activities
• Observations of award winning faculty member
• Syllabus, student evals, and reflection on one's teaching experience

Graduate students who complete the GTP will be able to: 

1. Articulate their teaching values and teaching philosophy in the context of becoming a future instructor in higher education.

2. Reflect on professional development opportunities in order to inform their future teaching experiences.  

3. Observe experienced faculty members in the classroom to gain ideas for future instructional practice. 
 

4. Examine and reflect on readings from pedagogical scholars in the field of teaching and learning. 

5. Produce a portfolio of reflections and intentions for future experiences as an instructor in higher education. 

Requirements

• Attend and participate in the Teaching in Higher Education workshop and a written reflection for the GTP portfolio.
• Participation in an online MOOC on Inclusive Teaching
• Attendance at four additional professional development workshops provided by the CTL or other campus faculty development units (Written reflection papers must be provided for each workshop and observation attended)
• Observation of at least two instructors in a UVM classroom
• Experience in teaching at UVM for one semester (This is not something we coordinate for students.)
• Participation in a book group and written reflections on the books
• Teaching portfolio submission

Please see program details below for more information on each requirement.

Timeframe for Completing the Program

Participants have a maximum of two years to complete the program. If additional time is needed, this must be approved by the GTP coordinator, Holly Parker.

1. Teaching in Higher Education Workshop
   This session is open to all graduate students and faculty. In the session, participants will be introduced to research on teaching, such as Universal Design for Learning. Participants will also learn about how to create a classroom environment that facilitates learning. This workshop will be held once in the Fall semester and once in the Spring semester.
2. Participate in an online, self-paced course (MOOC) about inclusive teaching (option to have a badge of completion) This online course experience will take 2-3 hours per week over a 5-week period. Topics covered:
   1. Instructor and Student Identity
   2. Universal Design for Learning
   3. Critical Self-Reflection on Teaching
   4. Creating community in the classroom
   5. Equity-minded teaching practices
3. Four Professional Development Workshops
   Program participants must attend four teaching development workshops sponsored by the CTL, Writing in the Disciplines, and other approved professional development workshops from your department or program. Participants will write a reflection of each of the workshops, including what they learned and what they plan to implement in their own teaching.The four required workshops must include:
   1. At least one workshop on teaching with technology, such as:
      1. Online pedagogy
      2. iClickers
      3. Brightspace
      4. Screencasting
   2. At least three workshops which are elective, based on student interest. Workshop event listings can be found on the CTL Events Calendar for both the Center for Teaching and Learning and the Writing in the Disciplines program.
4. Higher Education Teaching Experience (at least one semester)
   Program participants need to teach at UVM for at least one semester. (Contact your advisor or your department to set up your teaching assignment.) Documentation of teaching experience includes: a course syllabus, student evaluations, and a 3–5 page written reflection focusing on the teaching experience.
5. Observing Teaching Excellence
   Each program participant will observe two UVM faculty members teaching a class and will write a 3-5 page reflection about what they learned from their observations. These faculty members must be recipients of one of the UVM Teaching Awards, e.g. the Kroepsch-Maurice Excellence in Teaching Award, the George V. Kidder Outstanding Faculty Award or other faculty member at the discretion of the department chair or program coordinator.
   • Participation in Fall GTP-cohort book group
   • Teaching Portfolio
     The teaching portfolio will serve as a culminating project for the graduate student’s experience in the GTP. Participants will meet individually with the program coordinator to make a plan for their portfolios.

If you have any questions, please contact the CTL GTP program coordinator, Holly Parker, Holly.Parker@uvm.edu.

UVM Graduate Teaching Program Application 2025-26