The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) is an integral part of higher education as this office provides in-house professional development opportunities for faculty and staff, encourages faculty involvement, and focuses on highlighting the community's knowledge and insights.
This might be your first semester teaching or you might be a veteran instructor looking to grow. In either case, reach out to CETL to assist with your needs.
CETL is committed to working with faculty at all stages of their careers. Understanding the fundamentals of teaching allows instructors to share their industry-leading knowledge and experience in an inclusive manner that resonates with NYFA’s diverse student body. The landscape of education is constantly changing, so CETL collaborates with other NYFA offices, such as DEI and Student Life, to promote effective pedagogy and relevant initiatives.
Faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to contribute their ideas by suggesting professional development opportunities and by sharing their own expertise through cross-campus workshops. Identifying the common threads that bind the film, media, and performing arts departments demonstrates the value of community at the New York Film Academy.
Please be sure to visit the CETL Hub for information and guidance about the following topics:
Reach out to the CETL Directors with questions or concerns or to get involved:
Prima Gonzalez, Director of CETL (LA Based): cetl@nyfa.edu.
Lauren Brickman, Director of CETL (NY Based): cetl.ny@nyfa.edu
The Department Chairs may identify faculty in need of mentorship or tutelage and will recommend that these faculty seek the assistance of the CETL.
The Department Chair either distributes the contact information of the CETL Directors and/or will send out an introductory email.
It is then the faculty members' choice to decide whether to take advantage of the opportunity.
Keep in mind, there may be a number of ways/options for faculty to improve.
If the referral/invitation is accepted, CETL Director(s) meets with the Instructor to discuss any current teaching obstacles that they may be encountering.
The CETL Director(s) and Instructor map out an action plan for how to approach these obstacles (I.E. classroom visitations from CETL staff, mentorship from Senior Instructors, filming of classroom activities/presentations for critique, etc.)
The CETL Director(s) can relay to the Chairs and Upper Administration if Instructors are meeting with the CETL, but the information shared and discussed In these meetings, as well as observations from classroom visitations, will be completely confidential.
After giving the faculty member an adequate and agreed upon amount of time needed to make adjustments, it is up to the department to then monitor the faculty member’s progress in an appropriate manner (I.E. classroom visitations from Associate Chairs, monitoring evaluations, interviews with students, etc.)
The CETL can convey to HR that consultations have taken place, to be noted as an example of the faculty member’s growth, professional development, and willingness to improve.