For most faculty, peers are the most trusted source of information and support about teaching, but it can be hard to find formal and informal pathways to build and sustain those connections. Peer observation, mentorship, and faculty learning communities are some of the ways institutions have tried to help by providing a formal program with administrative and logistical support as well as recognition for engagement.
This year, the Arts & Science Office of Teaching Excellence (TEI) will pilot a number of Faculty Learning Communities in the hope of reaching diverse groups of faculty who are interested in developing particular aspects of their teaching with a group of like-minded peers.
Faculty Learning Communities (FLCs) are peer support communities that are time-based (usually one or two semesters) and topic-driven. The A&S Office of Teaching Excellence & Innovation is using the Miami U model of Faculty Learning Communities and partnering with other NYU offices and teams to provide specialized support and organization for these groups.
In addition to building community and promoting scholarly teaching practices, the goal of all of our groups will be to empower participants to create their own learning communities upon completion. Those who fulfill their FLC commitment will receive a letter of completion for their teaching portfolio that outlines the topic, activities, and time engaged.
Each learning community is different: leadership, partnership with other teams, application process, and dates and meeting types are unique to each group. We are currently piloting three:
Teaching For Belonging FLC – Currently running for Academic Year 2024-5
This community offers faculty who have completed the Office of Global Inclusion’s Inclusive Teaching Seminar the opportunity to continue to engage with the pedagogical strategies that support learning and belonging in their classroom and disciplines while building a support community of Arts & Science colleagues.
Participants in the Teaching to Belong Learning Community (TTB LC) program will meet online for an hour each month over the course of one academic year for a topic-based discussion and strategy sharing. A complete version of the planned curriculum is available here. In addition to the benefits from participating in reflective teaching and developing learning community facilitation skills, successful participants will receive a Letter of Completion detailing their work in the program that can be included in a teaching portfolio or renewal package.
TEI Fellows FLC – Currently Running for Fall 2025
A one-semester cohort composed of faculty members who have received funding from academic unit deans or departments to complete curricular and pedagogy-focused projects such as course development or redesign, textbook or learning materials authoring, assessment plan revisions, or other work directly related to teaching. Work on these types of projects can often be solitary and the goal of this program is to provide opportunities for peer and administrative support.
TEI STEM FLC – Currently recruiting for Spring 2025
A group of 8-14 faculty members led by a colleague, Chemistry faculty member Rohini Qamra, and supported by the Arts & Science TEI group in collaboration with the Office of Undergraduate Research under the Vice Provost for Education, focusing on CURE (Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience) and other active learning practices for STEM courses. Departments will be represented in pairs or trios to ensure that the spirit of community, connection, and mutual support continues and grows after completion. Graduates will be encouraged to act as a resource on teaching and learning within their departments and to continue the model of group inquiry and support of innovative and effective teaching practices on the department level.
Our team is always excited to talk about new ideas for FLCs and partnerships. Reach out to Lucy Appert if you have something to propose or would like more information about FLCs.