The Centre for Teaching Excellence (CTE) is here to help postdoctoral scholars at Waterloo develop their knowledge and skills as university instructors. Participants can take part in workshops and events to support their teaching or complete a professional development certificate.
Working on developing your teaching?
Postdoctoral scholars who are new to teaching or who are interested in learning more before they teach, can participate in the Fundamentals of University Teaching program. The Fundamentals program introduces participants to evidence-based teaching strategies and provides hands-on opportunities to practice lesson planning and delivery skills. The program is designed for graduate students, but postdoctoral scholars new to teaching are also welcome to register.
This program is of no cost and is completed at participants' own pace, takes approximately 2-3 terms to complete, and must be completed by the end of the postdoc tenure. Upon successful completion of the program, participants receive a Certificate of Completion issued by CTE.
To register for the Fundamentals program, please complete the online registration form.
Teaching your own course?
Postdoctoral scholars teaching their own course can participate in opportunities, including:
- The New Instructor Foundations program helps prepare postdoctoral scholars and graduate students who will be teaching or co-teaching their own course as first-time instructors. Participants attend three half-day training sessions on a variety of teaching topics.
- The Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW), a 24-hour certificate program developed in Canada and recognized by many postsecondary institutions internationally. The ISW uses an intensive, collaborative model through videotaped microteaching and peer feedback sessions to support participants' teaching reflection and growth. Participants receive a Certificate of Achievement.
- To receive feedback on their teaching from a trained observer, Postdoctoral scholars can request a teaching observation by contacting Trevor Holmes or Mary Power.
- The Teaching Squares Program is ideal for those interested in broadening their exposure to different teaching techniques and styles by taking part in reciprocal classroom visits with other instructors.
Preparing for an academic job application?
| Support Unit | Resource Descriptions and Links | Feedback and Appointments |
|---|---|---|
|
Centre for Teaching Excellence (CTE) (Support for Teaching Statements and Dossiers) |
Teaching Dossiers for Grad Students and Postdocs: a set of four self-paced online modules to support you in preparing your teaching statement and dossier. CCD Career Hub: Teaching Dossier/Statements (sign-in required) Statements of Teaching Philosophy (CTE2196) - see CTE Events page for offerings |
For feedback on your teaching dossier or teaching statement, please contact Sam Hossack |
|
Centre for Career Development (CCD) (Support for CVs, cover letters, and diversity statements) |
CCD Career Hub: Academic applications and interviews (sign-in required) Workshops on CVs, Cover Letters, and more |
For feedback on cover letters, CVs, and diversity statements, make an appointment with the Centre for Career Development |
|
Writing and Communication Centre (WCC) (Support for research statements and diversity statements) |
CCD Career Hub: Diversity Statements (sign-in required) Workshops on Research Statements for Academic Job Applications and Writing and Articulating Your Diversity Statement |
For feedback on research statements and diversity statements, make an appointment with the Writing and Communication Centre |
Interested in teaching research?
Postdoctoral scholars interested in learning more about teaching research may attend the annual Teaching and Learning Conference to learn with instructors as they share their research, teaching strategies, and more in interactive workshops, panel discussions, and presentations exploring learning and teaching.
Questions?
If you have questions about CTE programs, please contact us at cte-grad@uwaterloo.ca.