Teaching & Learning Discussion: Supporting Teaching Fellows through Change and Uncertainty

For many graduate students, being a Teaching Fellow (TF) is some of the most important professional development they will engage in during their graduate career. This opportunity often comes with challenges common to being a newer instructor and also those arising from the changing landscape of higher education and current events more broadly. These might include questions around circumstances related to AI, public perception of higher ed, and conversations on challenging topics. On top of this,TFs are balancing classroom responsibilities alongside the potential unpredictability of the current moment. How can we as faculty best support graduate students especially through challenges that we may also be facing for the first time? Come join us as we discuss how we can support our TFs through uncertainty, while helping them develop as instructors. Our conversation will begin with insights from Danya Keene, Professor of Public Health and Brian Scassellati, A. Bartlett Giamatti Professor of Computer Science and Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science. They will share their own thoughts and pedagogical practices and then invite others into the conversation. Participants are encouraged to come ready to contribute their own questions, challenges, and variations on practices related to supporting TFs. Lunch will be provided. We are committed to hosting inclusive and accessible events that allow all participants to fully engage. Please contact us at faculty.teaching@yale.edu if there are ways we can support accommodations, be aware of any dietary restrictions, or for other questions.