Kudos

Kudos

1)"The GTP workshops exposed me to a wide variety of teaching-related issues that I should be aware of as a TA/instructor, and I implemented some of them in my own classroom to its improvement. For example, my first semester as a TA. I did not have a syllabus for my own one-day a week recitation and this likely confused students about my expectations. However, after hearing about the importance of a syllabus in a GTP workshop, I used one the very next semester, and I believe there was much more clarity. There were also several workshops that really helped provide answers and hints for some of the specific areas I needed some help with such as in-class discussion issues. I plan to use these in future teaching situations. Writing the teaching philosophy for my portfolio also helped me solidify my own teaching beliefs in a way I probably would not have if I was not in the program."

2)"I think I started out with a good personality for a teacher - I'm comfortable in front of a group, I love my discipline, I love explaining things, I'm patient with learner’s - but I didn't have the slightest ideas how to go about turning those natural assets into an effective teaching style. The suggestions, connections, and recommendations I got from the workshops and GTP staff was invaluable. Now I know - or at least, I have a better idea - of how to structure material so that it’s accessible for ALL of my students, how to present assignments so the students understand what I’m looking for, how to present criticism that’s constructive, different ways to get students engaged in class...It's just been unbelievably helpful."

3)"This program has helped me to acquire the motivation to continue to develop my teaching skills. It has given me confidence that I can find the answers to any questions I might have in the future."

4)"A main benefit that I derived from the certification is a more comprehensive understanding of the student's needs. Many of the workshops focused on teaching to various learning styles; workshops often gave insight into the taught styles and I advice for how to include all styles in lesson plans."

5)"I found that all the various program requirements, in tandem with my experiences in the classroom for four consecutive semesters, helped me become a much better instructor. The workshops provided me with invaluable ideas and strategies that allowed me to become a more creative and dynamic instructor, one more attuned to the needs and expectations of her students and able to balance effectively achieving class objectives (imparting and applying the necessary knowledge and skills) while making my classes a fun experience."

6)"As a result of being exposed to so many ideas 1) I feel more confident to come up with my own stuff that I feel will appeal to students - creative approaches to teaching my material, if you will, 2) I am far more aware of some of the issues that we, as graduate students, face and I feel armed with strategies with which to deal with them; 3) I have a better perspective on how I appear to students as I teach (Yeah! for the video consultations!); 4) I feel so much better informed as to the teaching profession at the university level."

7)"My personal value-added is that I am now much more aware of the impact of learning styles on my effectiveness as a teacher. I am not only aware now of my own learning style biases, but I am also aware of those of my students. I am now more effective especially when working with students one-on-one who are struggling either in my class or with school in general. I have also learned how to apply what I have learned about learning styles to my teaching style - both in lecture courses and in performance courses."

8)"I Think the workshops exposed me to ways of thinking about teaching that were new to me. For example, the Kolb and Bloom information gave me new tools for developing lessons and assessing my effectiveness as a teacher. I also have made valuable contacts that I feel I can go to when I have questions about my teaching. Finally, acting as Lead. I've been able to get experience in mentoring other graduate teachers and developing workshops for their benefit.”

9)“The certification gives you the opportunity to try out new ways of teaching, new paths to walk on. In my personal experience I changed my way of looking at my students and, thanks to that, to the whole class. The conferences really help with tips and ideas to bring to your class that are pleasant and very didactic, most of the time involving the audience and allowing us participate."

10)"While working on the certificate, I got a chance to systematically study with experienced teachers and graduate teaching assistants. From them, I learned how to create a good classroom atmosphere and teacher-student interaction; solve students practical problems and deal with students; and how to tailor one's teaching style for more effective teaching results. During the video consultation sections, I discussed (with the Lead TA) my teaching philosophy and what is effective/ineffective in my teaching, and later, improved my teaching skills.

11)What I've realized through exposure in the GTP and in the MCDB teaching class I am taking is that educational research really lights my fire. I happily read about it. I question the methods. I want to know more. I can talk about it for hours... More than that, it can be done on the scientific disciplines and there is a need for it (for example, it's essentially the whole point of CIRTL). So I really want to transition over to the School of Education, so I can conduct educational research in the sciences. The career possibilities are rather endless - speaking engagements, teaching, consulting, writing, etc - and they are all things I would LOVE to do. In all honesty, I've never felt so confident and happy about a path I've decided to explore.

12)"Thanks again for teaching the goal setting seminar last semester. I found it extremely helpful. In fact, after applying the techniques I was able to finish my dissertation in a few short months. I can't stress enough, how your approach helped to overcome the 1) sense of being overwhelmed with the dissertation project, 2) the resulting procrastination and 3) the inability to meet deadlines at the last minute. Overall, I would say that your seminar has offered a new approach to simultaneously tackling multiple projects. It was a great help for a true procrastinator such as myself. Currently, I'm making progress towards finishing multiple publications while on the job market. I'm sure others will find similar benefits in this approach."

Anonymous