Pathways to Expertise in
Student-Centered College Teaching

Foundations of Teaching Badge: At the Foundations Badge level, instructors will be ready to use foundational skills to interact with students and guide student learning. The badge is earned by participating in at least five of the Foundations of Teaching workshops (specifically from those listed on the Foundations of Teaching registration form or in the Foundations of Teaching Canvas site) or equivalent training through a departmental pedagogy course (as approved by Engaged Teaching) + submitting a reflection through the Foundations of Teaching Canvas site. 

Who should aim for this level? 

• Graduate Students, Postdocs, or Undergraduate IAs wanting to explore new teaching strategies.

• Graduate Students or Postdocs looking to hone existing skills and develop a shared language of student-centered teaching (either on its own or as prerequisite for Advanced College Teaching). 

• Timing for Graduate Students: If possible, this is great to start with in your first few years-- that way it both benefits your Instructional Assistant experience and also paves the way for taking part in Advanced College Teaching toward the end of your grad career! 

• Ideal for those who prefer to complete training in a more flexible or self-paced format. 

Engaged Teaching Practitioner: At the Practitioner level, instructors will be ready to practice and apply student-centered teaching in daily interactions with students and in planning class sessions. This includes content from the Foundations Badge along with additional sessions of equity-minded teaching practices and peer feedback. The certificate of recognition for the Practitioner level is earned by completing the quarter-long Introduction to College Teaching (ICT) course, including submission of a final project and reflection. Additional ways to achieve the Practitioner level are coming soon.  

Who should aim for this level? 

• Graduate Students, Postdocs, or Undergraduate IAs wanting to explore new teaching strategies on a deeper level. 

• Graduate Students or Postdocs looking to hone existing skills and develop a shared language of student-centered teaching (either on its own or as prerequisite for Advanced College Teaching). 

• Timing for Graduate Students: If possible, this is great to start with in your first few years-- that way it both benefits your Instructional Assistant experience and also paves the way for taking part in Advanced College Teaching toward the end of your grad career! 

• Ideal for those who prefer the structure and community of a course setting.

Engaged Teaching Specialist:  At the Specialist level, instructors will be ready to implement a deep understanding of student-centered teaching practices and course design as an instructor of record. The certificate of recognition for the Specialist level is earned after completing Advanced College Teaching (ACT), including submission of a syllabus and reflection. This builds upon completion of either the Foundations of Teaching Badge or the Practitioner level (option for a 5 week version is available if needed for those coming from the Practitioner level). 

Who should aim for this level? 

• Advanced Graduate Students and Postdocs who will soon be teaching as a course instructor/ Associate-In at UC San Diego or in future careers.

• This is the level recommended for teaching as Associate-In/Course Instructor and is the required level of training for the Summer Graduate Teaching Scholar program.

Engaged Teaching Scholar: The Scholar level is the highest in the current program, recognizing those who achieve Specialist level and then intentionally implement and assess evidence-based teaching practices in an independent teaching experience. Achieving this includes submission of both 1) a post-teaching reflection/teaching statement (same as the SGTS reflection) and 2) a shareable teaching resource to the Engaged Teaching Scholar Showcase.

Foundations of Teaching Workshops (Fall/Winter/Spring) are stand-alone workshops that introduce foundational concepts and skills for student-centered interactions as an IA or course instructor. This specifically refers to the Foundations of Teaching workshops listed in the linked registration form or on the Foundations of Teaching Canvas page, not other workshops offered by the Teaching and Learning Commons.

Completion of at least five workshops and a final reflection is recognized by the Foundations of Teaching Badge (with a possible future pathway to the Practitioner level) and can fulfill pre-requisites for the Advanced College Teaching (ACT) course. Additional ways to complete the Foundations of Teaching badge are coming soon.  Access registration here.

Introduction to College Teaching (“ICT”, 10 weeks, Fall/Winter) dives into the fundamentals of student-centered college teaching and equitable teaching practices within the context of day-to-day teaching. Note: content directly overlaps with Foundations of Teaching workshops. 

Syllabus: tinyurl.com/intro-college-teaching;  Access registration here.

Completion of this course achieves the Practitioner level in Student-Centered College Teaching and receives a certificate of recognition.

Advanced College Teaching (“ACT”, 5 or 10 weeks, Winter/Spring) guides you through the creation of a student-centered course and syllabus, integrating prerequisite knowledge of foundations of teaching to plan the course structure, activities, and equity-minded course policies. Note: Participants must have a specific course in mind to develop; ideal for those who are preparing to teach their own course in the upcoming quarters/summer or know which course they might teach in the future. 

Syllabus: tinyurl.com/adv-college-teaching;  Access registration here.

Note: Option for a 5 week version is available if needed for those who come to this via the Practitioner level; the full 10 week version allows for additional depth and feedback on equity-minded course policies and communications.

Completion of this course achieves the Specialist level in Student-Centered College Teaching and receives a certificate of recognition.

For more information about any of these programs, contact us at engagedteaching@ucsd.edu