Teaching and Learning Certificate program celebrates 2024 graduates
Program is designed to advance teaching practices of faculty
Program participants, mentors and invited guests gathered recently to celebrate the 2024 graduates of the Teaching and Learning Certificate program.
The certificate, offered through The Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning (The Centre), combines workshops, mentorships and classroom observations. Participants learn pedagogical principles and foundational knowledge that can be applied in the classroom.
Bridget Kozyra, Instructor in the Faculty of Social Work, was one of the 16 graduates and spoke at the event about her experience in the program.
“It was incredibly valuable and a great experience,” she says. “I learned so much from my mentor and being able to connect with the other participants.”
Kozyra found the skills and knowledge from the program also helped her beyond the classroom. “The timing worked out that we were going through curriculum revision as I was in the program,” she says. “The workshops and knowledge gave me an additional lens to use as we were reviewing our content – what we were teaching, how we were teaching it and best methods for assessing our students.”
Daniel Nagel, an assistant professor with the College of Nursing, took the program to expand his knowledge. One of the things he appreciated about the program was the ability to connect with instructors in other areas.
“The workshops really helped to break us out of our usual silos and connect with other instructors across the university,” he says. “Being able to see how other faculty members approach teaching and what they bring to the classroom, was inspiring. And the connections and friendships I have made throughout the journey, with both the mentors and other participants, is something I really appreciated about the program.”
Nagel notes that, while the program is targeted at faculty in the first few years of their teaching career, the workshops are also relevant for those who are farther along in their teaching career.
“There were workshops that had very specialized topics, like incorporating Indigenous Knowledge, mental health, and accessible teaching strategies that are hugely beneficial because of how our knowledge in those areas continues to expand and grow,” he says. “As a life-long learner, there’s always something new to learn that will help me be a better instructor and able to better support my students.”
Joanna Koulouriotis, Educational Developer with The Centre and TLC Program Coordinator, serves as one of the program mentors.
“It’s so wonderful to see the participants and mentors connect and build relationships,” she says. “Being a mentor is a way for me to support new faculty, but it’s also a chance for me to learn from them. It’s incredibly rewarding.”
Registration for the 2025 TLC program will open in April 2025.
Learn more about the TLC program
Explore workshops offered by The Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning
