CAT is pleased to provide workshops, reading groups, and other programming and services designed to support graduate students in their teaching. Whether you are an experienced teaching assistant looking for additional professional development opportunities or completely new to teaching, we have a variety of events to connect you with inspiring colleagues and develop your pedagogical skill set.
Required TA Training
If you are looking for the Essential Policies & Practices for TAs, a fully online training required for Categories 1–5 TAs who need to get certified to teach, please see our webpage for upcoming training offerings and more information.
Workshops
CAT teaching workshops are interactive sessions (typically 1.5 to 2 hours) led by a CAT facilitator or other subject matter expert. In addition to providing opportunities to learn about effective approaches to teaching, they are also opportunities to discuss ideas with other graduate students across disciplines. The following are our current workshop offerings:
Designing for Learning
This interactive workshop will help participants design effective learning experiences of any length, from courses to modules to class sessions. First, we’ll discuss adopting a learning-centered approach to teaching, in which we shift our focus from covering content to facilitating learning. Then, we’ll practice using a backward design process to set learning goals, align assessments, and make good use of class time by providing students with opportunities for practice and feedback. We hope you can join us for this fundamental workshop that helps lay the foundation for the rest of the TDP. We look forward to working with you!
Facilitators: Zach Lloyd, Teaching Consultant & Caity Bente, Program Manager: TA Training & Professional Development
Email: teaching-assistants@fsu.edu
Date/Time (two options):
- Tuesday, June 3rd, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., Strozier Library Bradley Reading Room OR
- Wednesday, June 4th, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., via Zoom
*These are the same session with two date options; you do not need to attend both dates.
Register Here: https://forms.office.com/r/fkthWgPDvK
Teaching with Writing
Description coming soon!
Facilitators: Jen Bartman, CAT Senior Associate Director & Zach Lloyd, Teaching Consultant
Email: teaching-assistants@fsu.edu
Date/Time: June 17th, 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Location: TBA
Register Here: Coming Soon!
Facilitating Discussions
Details coming soon!
Formulating Criteria for Evaluating Student Work
Details coming soon!
Motivation
Details coming soon!
Reading Groups
Reading groups are a great opportunity to connect with colleagues across disciplines and discuss great books about teaching and learning. Groups typically meet three times (approximately 1.5 hours each session) across three consecutive weeks and are led by a facilitator from CAT. Reading groups are a relaxed, discussion-focused environment that encourages participants to share their experiences and questions on the book topics.
See below for upcoming reading group offerings:
Geeky Pedagogy
Geeky Pedagogy by Jessamyn Nehaus challenges the myth that great teaching requires extroversion, offering evidence-based strategies tailored to geeks, introverts, and nerds (GINs). With humor and candor, Nehaus empowers GIN educators to embrace their identities and transform their strengths into effective, enriching teaching practices.
Facilitator: Tolu Jegede, CAT Graduate Assistant
Email: tjegede@fsu.edu
Dates/Time: 5/30, 6/6, 6/13, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. (via Zoom)
Register Here: https://forms.office.com/r/JCqxEzuKTL
How Learning Works: 8 Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching – Coming soon in Summer 2025!
Please Note — These reading groups are for graduate students only. If you have questions about a particular reading group, please email the facilitator listed for that reading group.