definition for: #CollaborativeTeachingFellowsProgram

Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland typically apply for positions in academia that involve both research and teaching. Our trainees enjoy superb research training. As at many research-intensive institutions, however, they may receive little preparation for today’s classroom. Academic employers value real classroom teaching over experience as a Teaching Assistant. The Teaching Fellows program aims to give our trainees a hands-on teaching experience with mentorship and coaching from exemplary undergraduate teaching faculty at local institutions.

In 2010, the Professional Development Office, the Johns Hopkins Postdoctoral Association, and Notre Dame of Maryland University created the initial program, then only for the School of Medicine. Each year since, three postdocs have been selected to participate in teaching first-year Biology for science majors in each of the Fall and Spring Semesters. In 2011, Towson University became a partner, followed by Loyola University Maryland in 2012. The latter two programs are longer and more extensive. They last two to three semesters and develop greater independence in course planning and leadership. All programs include didactic sessions and seminars on modern pedagogy and learning technology. Programs are now open to postdocs and (at some sites) advanced PhD students from the Schools of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing. In 2013, we had up 18 slots available, compared to the original three, in an expanded selection of courses. In 2014, we expanded to include Teaching Fellows from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and two new teaching sites: Goucher College and Stevenson University. In total, we provided 19 teaching opportunities spread across five undergraduate institutions. This year, in 2015, we welcome Morgan State University as a new teaching site.

Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland typically apply for positions in academia that involve both research and teaching. Our trainees enjoy superb research training. As at many research-intensive institutions, however, they may receive little preparation for today’s classroom. Academic employers value real classroom teaching over experience as a Teaching Assistant. The Teaching Fellows program aims to give our trainees a hands-on teaching experience with mentorship and coaching from exemplary undergraduate teaching faculty at local institutions.