Advanced Training for Teachers and Researchers in Chemistry

We have offered an integrated approach, at the very start of our graduate students’ career where we offer a global overview of what skills are necessary to be successful. (1, 2)

Our first year course extends the traditional intensive departmental orientation and TA training (3) into a full year (4), covering the skills that are critical to becoming an excellent TA, becoming a well-rounded PhD candidate and gaining professional development skills. At the end of this course, students are expected to have developed an improved ability in the consideration and use of innovative pedagogical tools, the ability to transition into independent research, as well as to begin thinking about career development. Understanding the importance of and creating a sense of community is stressed throughout the course.

Each course module topic is prefaced by a clear purpose and how it can be applied towards professional growth.

Example topics/modules include:

Teaching & Learning in Our Current Environment: Engaging Students Remotely

Active Learning

Grading with a Rubric

Grading Case Studies

Plagiarism Internal Case Studies

Inclusive Teaching in a Remote Setting

Implicit Bias

Senior TA Mentor Panel

Stress Management

Community Building: Wellness

Community Building: Peer Mentors

UChicagoGRAD Resources & Advising

Academic/Research Integrity and Ethics

Safety Resources

Community Building: Cultivating Resilience

Leadership in Research

Mentor/Mentee Training

Fighting Imposter Syndrome

Peer Discussion

Student Support & Resources

Wellness Coaching: Time Management Skills

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Critical Thinking

Science Library Resources

Public Speaking Skills

Outreach

Scientific Writing

Transitioning from TA to RA

Hallmarks of Excellent Research Proposals

Reflective Discussion

The course incorporates two TA Training Teaching Fellows (one focusing on pedagogy and the other on safety training); thus, integrating graduate students to teach their peers. These Fellow positions provide teaching opportunities for our students while they are still in graduate school.

The course strives not only to train our graduate students but to provide them with opportunities to enhance their CVs and teaching portfolios in all areas that will help them be more marketable once they obtain their Ph.D.

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1. Dragisich, V. Wellness and Community Modules in a Graduate Teaching Assistant Training Course in the Time of Pandemic. J. Chem. Educ. 2020, 97, 3341-3345.

2. Dragisich, V. Holistic Approaches to Training Involving Pedagogy, Career Skills and Community Building. In Abstracts of Papers of the American Chemical Society; American Chemical Society, Mar 31, 2019; Vol. 257, p 1155.

3. Dragisich, V.; Keller, V.; Zhao, M. An Intensive Training Program for Effective Teaching Assistants in Chemistry. J. Chem. Educ. 2016, 93 (7), 1204−1210.

4. Dragisich, V.; Keller, V.; Black, R.; Heaps, C. W.; Kamm, J. M.; Olechnowicz, F.; Raybin, J.; Rombola, M.; Zhao, M. Development of an Advanced Training Course for Teachers and Researchers in Chemistry. J. Chem. Educ. 2016, 93 (7), 1211−1216.