Graduate Student Teaching Enhancement Program (GSTEP)
As a graduate student, the idea of teaching a class is now a reality. Sure, you know your disciplinary content, but are you confident that you can support others to learn it? Gain skills and confidence as a teacher through the Graduate Student Teaching Enhancement Program (GSTEP).
GSTEP Participation
It’s easy. Start attending events that support your development as a college teacher to work toward GSTEP requirements. These events develop the necessary skills to facilitate student learning, engage with other graduate students and faculty, and earn $300 in professional development funds.
If in addition, you wish to regularly work alongside fellow graduate students, share innovative teaching strategies, and develop your own teaching philosophy, you can register for GSC 601 (see below). Not only does GSC 601 fulfil the requirements GSTEP, it is also the first required course for the Graduate Certificate in College Teaching.
GSTEP Requirements
- Attend 8 events during the academic year that support your development as a teacher. These include GSC 601 class meetings (if you’re enrolled in this course); seminars and workshops provided by the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE), Howe Center for Writing Excellence (HWCE), or Miami Online; sessions at the Original Lilly Conference on College Teaching; and other teaching development events offered by Miami or professional organizations.
- After attending each event, complete the GSTEP Event Form.
- Submit all 8 GSTEP Event Forms by May 15. You are welcome to complete GSTEP in fall only, spring only, or across both semesters.
GSTEP Event Tracking
After you attend an event that you wish to be considered for GSTEP credit toward your requirement of 8 events, complete the GSTEP Event Form. This form includes the event date, location, responsible office/organization, title, and description. You will also write a 250-word (max) reflection that describes your learning outcomes and explains its relevance to your development. Each event requires a separate submission of the GSTEP Event Form. After your first tracker submission, you are enrolled in GSTEP, and the Center for Teaching Excellence will subscribe you to CTE News to keep you informed about the latest programs, resources, and services to support your development as a college teacher. After your eighth submission is submitted and reviewed, you will receive all of your GSTEP benefits.
GSTEP Benefits
In addition to your learning outcomes and development on college teaching, GSTEP completion earns you
- A completion certificate (pdf) for your professional portfolio; please email CTE@MiamiOH.edu if you are interested in having one emailed to you.
- Availability of $300 in professional development funds to be spent on items from the GSTEP menu by June 1.
- professional membership of your choice
- professional conference registration of your choice
- discipline-specific books (max 2)
- Classroom Assessment Techniques: A Handbook for College Teachers by Thomas A. Angelo (cost around $20.00; check Amazon for exact pricing)
- Collaborative Learning Techniques: A Handbook for College Faculty by Elizabeth F. Barkley (cost around $45.00; check Amazon for exact pricing)
- Teach Students How to Learn: Strategies You Can Incorporate Into Any Course to Improve Student Metacognition, Study Skills, and Motivation by Saundra Yancy McGuire (cost around $27.00; check Amazon for exact pricing)
- How Learning Works: Seven Research-Based Principles for Smart Teachingby Susan A. Ambrose (cost around $35.00; check Amazon for exact pricing)
- Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning by Peter C. Brown, et. al. (cost around $30.00; check Amazon for exact pricing)
- Engaging Ideas: The Professor's Guide to Integrating Writing, Critical Thinking, and Active Learning in the Classroom by John C. Bean and Maryellen Weimer (cost around $20.00; check Amazon for exact pricing)
- The ABCs of How We Learn: 26 Scientifically Proven Approaches, How They Work, and When to Use Them by Daniel Schwarts (cost around $28; check Amazon for exact pricing)
- Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning (2nd edition) by James M. Lang (cost around $20; check Amazon for exact pricing)
Purpose
- Promote the effectiveness of graduate students as teachers at Miami University, thus enhancing their overall productivity and satisfaction.
- Provide foundational skills for graduate students who may seek an academic career.
- Create interdisciplinary connections and community among graduate students at Miami.
- Support the undergraduate teaching mission of Miami by enhancing the effectiveness of the instruction they receive from graduate students.
Enrollment: Open to all Miami graduate students
Fall 2024 Facilitator: Dr. Claire McLeod
Meeting Dates and Times:
Yes, you may complete GSTEP up to two times as a graduate student at Miami University. Each time you complete the program, you will gain access to $300 in professional development funds. You can even complete GSTEP two times in the same academic year, if you choose to do so. The aim is to provide flexibility in supporting your teaching development as you work toward your graduate degree.
We encourage GSC 601 enrollment. Please note that you can take GSC 601 up to two times; however, attending GSC 601 class meetings during your second time in the course will not meet GSTEP requirements. Other seminars and workshops attended while enrolled in GSC 601 (the first and second time) meet GSTEP requirements.
Center for Teaching Excellence
