Academic Kickoff
The Academic Kickoff features interactive sessions designed to facilitate graduate student and postdoc transitions to teaching roles at Northwestern University.
Overview
The Academic Kickoff provides first-time TAs and grad student and postdoc instructors opportunities to learn about and explore institutional knowledge to prepare for the first day of classes! Participants are invited to attend a variety of interactive sessions throughout the day facilitated by campus partners and experienced graduate student instructors known as Kickoff Session Leaders. Each session is grounded in evidence-based practices and Northwestern’s Principles of Inclusive Teaching. Participants will also have plenty of opportunities to informally socialize during morning coffee, intentional breaks, and lunch.
Eligibility
All graduate students and postdoctoral scholars who will be TAing or teaching for the first time in the upcoming quarters are welcomed and encouraged to join us!
Registration
Check back in July 2025 to register for the 2025 Academic Kickoff.
Objectives
The Academic Kickoff aims to
- Introduce graduate students and postdocs to evidence-based teaching practices
- Demonstrate ways to implement Northwestern’s Principles of Inclusive Teaching
- Raise awareness of campus resources via sessions hosted by campus partners to help you to connect to key offices and learn more about our invited speakers
- Start conversations about Sparking Student Curiosity & Engagement, Fostering Inclusion & Student Belonging, Providing Constructive Student Feedback, Managing Interpersonal Dynamics in Peer-Developed and Facilitated Workshops
- Begin to build community and a network of supportive around learning and teaching
Schedule
Monday, September 16, 2024
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Schedule of Events:
- 8:30-9:00 - Coffee & Registration - Louis Lobby
- 9:00-9:45 - Welcoming Remarks - Louis Room
- 9:45-11:00 - Assessing Student Learning - Louis Room
- 11:15-12:45 - Peer-Led Sessions on Teaching in the Disciplines
- STEM Teaching - Northwestern Room
- Humanities Teaching - Armadillo Room
- Social Sciences Teaching - Arch Room
- 12:45-1:30 - Lunch - Louis Room
- 1:30-3:00 - Peer-Led Sessions on Teaching in the Disciplines
- STEM Teaching - Northwestern Room
- Humanities Teaching - Armadillo Room
- Social Sciences Teaching - Arch Room