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:
Teaching Philosophy Statement Workshop (In-Person)
Writing a teaching philosophy can be challenging, but it is also an opportunity to articulate your approach to teaching and learning in a way that reflects your values and practices as an instructor. In this workshop, we will guide you through the process of creating a compelling, evidence-based teaching philosophy. We’ll explore common challenges, discuss rhetorical strategies and essential components of the document, and highlight common pitfalls to avoid. Through discussion and hands-on activities, you’ll begin developing the ideas and language to capture your unique perspective on teaching.
Facilitators: Zach Lloyd, Teaching Consultant, & Caity Bente, Program Manager: TA Training and Professional Development.
Date/Time/Location: Thursday, March 6th, 12:00-1:30pm, Diffenbaugh Suite 432.
Register Here: https://forms.office.com/r/wgYubVmxad
Activity Design
In this interactive workshop, we will discuss how to create opportunities for students to learn actively during class. In-class activities are opportunities to for students to develop knowledge and skills, and to interact with peers, which has both cognitive and social-emotional benefits. Participants will set priorities for what their students need to practice, share active learning strategies, and plan for effective facilitation. We hope you can join us as we think about making the most of our class time with students. We look forward to working with you!
Facilitators: Jen Bartman, CAT Senior Associate Director & Caity Bente, Program Manager: TA Training & Professional Development
Email: teaching-assistants@fsu.edu
Date/Time (two options):
- Thursday, March 20th, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. OR
- Friday, March 21st, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
*These are the same session with two date options; you do not need to attend both dates.
Location: TBA
Register Here: https://forms.office.com/r/6Tk2U0Bsnq
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:
How Learning Works: 8 Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching Dates: Tuesdays – 3/21, 3/28
Time/Location: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Diffenbaugh Suite 432
Facilitator: Zach Lloyd, CAT Teaching Consultant
- Contact: teaching-assistants@fsu.edu
Book Availability: E-book, available for free through FSU’s librariesDescription: The newly updated edition of this important book translates decades of scientific literature into practical advice, introducing eight general principles of how people learn. The authors draw on cognitive, developmental, and social psychology, as well as educational research, anthropology, etc. The discussion spans issues from memory to motivation, integrating theory with real classroom examples. Participants will develop strategies for strengthening their own teaching through the application of these principles of cognitive psychology.
Registration: https://forms.office.com/r/LrPW1pE9dX
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.