The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning recognizes that graduate students often have two distinct roles at the university – student and teacher. Whether you are an instructor, teaching assistant, laboratory assistant, or other instructional support, the Center is here to serve you as part of its mission to promote exemplary teaching and effective learning at the University of Mississippi.
Graduate students are invited to participate in our regular teaching workshops as well as the following programming designed specifically for TAs and graduate instructors. They can also take advantage of teaching observations and confidential consultations with CETL. For questions about graduate programming or services, or to schedule a consultation, please email Emily Pitts Donahoe, Associate Director of Instructional Support, at ejdonaho@olemiss.edu.
Graduate Teaching Orientation
The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, in collaboration with the Graduate School, holds an annual Orientation for new Teaching Assistants and Graduate Instructors. Sessions typically takes place the week before the fall semester begins. Click here to learn more about orientation.
Fundamentals of Teaching: A Learning Community for TAs and Graduate Instructors
This program is geared toward graduate students who are teaching, TAing, or preparing to teach/TA for the first time. Interested grad students meet four times in the first eight weeks of the semester for sessions on “Setting the Tone,” “Planning Effective Lessons,” “Grading and Assessment,” and “Mid-semester Reflection.” They also engage with CETL staff and one another asynchronously throughout the semester. Click here to learn more about Fundamentals of Teaching.
Graduate Reading Group
Each year, the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning sponsors a Graduate Reading Group. The group meets for lunch three times over the course of the semester to discuss the chosen book. Click here to learn more about the Graduate Reading Group.
Graduate Teaching Credentials
The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning offers three tiered teaching credentials to graduate students who complete a series of activities (including workshops, observations, consultations, and reflections) designed to improve their teaching. The credentials are self-paced and open to any graduate student in the UM community. Click here to learn more about the Graduate Teaching Credentials.
Graduate Instructor Excellence in Teaching Award
Sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning with support from the Office of the Provost, the Graduate School and Dr. Johnny Lott, the Graduate Instructor Excellence in Teaching Award was inaugurated in 2008 to recognize the importance of the teaching role performed by graduate students. Click here to learn more about the Graduate Instructor Excellence in Teaching Award.
Graduate Teaching Assistant Award
Sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning with support from the Office of the Provost and the Graduate School, The Graduate Teaching Assistant Award was established in 2019 to recognize the value of graduate teaching assistants in supporting teaching and learning at UM. Click here to learn more about the Graduate Teaching Assistant Award.
Graduate Teaching Resources
We maintain an updated list of useful books, articles, and guides for UM graduate teachers. Click here to explore internal and external teaching resources.