Community Information

Community Duration: Spring 2025

Meeting Schedule, Modality & Location:

• Monday, January 27, 10:00-11:00 a.m. (in-person, Olscamp 106)
• Monday, February 10, 10:00-11:00 a.m. (online via Zoom)
• Monday, February 24, 10:00-11:00 a.m. (online via Zoom)
• Monday, March 10, 10:00-11:00 a.m. (online via Zoom)
• Monday, March 24, 10:00-11:00 a.m. (in-person, Olscamp 106)
• Monday, April 7, 10:00-11:00 a.m. (in-person, Olscamp 106)

Community Participants:

This community is open to all current graduate student instructors and graduate student instructors preparing to teach in the upcoming semester. Priority registration will be given to current graduate student instructors who have not participated in this community before.

Community Description:

The Graduate Student Instructor Learning Community is a space where you can come together with other graduate students for meaningful discussions about life as both graduate students and student employees. In this community, active participation, thoughtful conversations and strategic planning are encouraged to help you successfully navigate graduate school. Topics covered will include professional development as student employees, balancing academic and work responsibilities, and finding support within the BGSU community. The focus of the community will be on peer mentoring, building supportive networks, and making these spaces accessible to everyone as you journey through grad school together. 

Learning community meetings will be discussion-based, drawing from resources such as the book, Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning, guest speakers, NCFDD, and the Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE). By participating in this community, you’ll build a strong foundation for success as an instructor while advancing your graduate studies. 

All members of the community will receive a copy of the book.

Community Learning Outcomes:

By participating in this community, you will be able to:

• Develop a strategic semester plan that supports your studies, teaching, and work-life balance.
• Implement or plan at least 2 evidence-based teaching strategies to support student success.
• Attend at least 3 professional development sessions (CFE or otherwise).
• Develop your mentor network. 
• Implement 2 NCFDD techniques to better align your time with your priorities.

Participant Expectations:*

As a member of this community, you are expected to:

• Meet the community learning outcomes.
• Actively participate in at least 80% of the learning community's meetings.
• Complete 1 professional development assignment each month; these assignments are designed to strategically support graduate student instructors’ success. Most monthly homework assignments will take approximately 60 to 90 minutes to complete.
• Complete all readings and view resources prior to meetings.
• Complete a final learning community reflection in Canvas.

*Participants in this community must meet the stated participant expectations in order to be eligible to receive funds for participation. Graduate student participants must be currently employed by a BGSU department in order to be eligible to receive funds for participation.

Community Registration

Use the link below to register for this community. Registration is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Participation for some communities may be limited; registrations will be fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis. If a community reaches capacity, any new registrants will be placed on a waitlist and notified if a spot opens up. 

To individuals with disabilities, please indicate if you need special services, assistance or appropriate modifications to fully participate in the event either on the registration form form or by contacting Accessibility Services at access@bgsu.edu or 419-372-8495. Please notify Accessibility Services and/or the CFE office prior to the start of the program.

Spring 2025 CFE Community of Practice Registration Form