Teaching Preparation
Postdocs interested in academic careers are encouraged to seek opportunities to expand their teaching experience, understanding that research is still the focus of a postdoctoral appointment and eligibility for course instruction may be determined by funding source, Penn State unit, and compliance with visa regulations.
Teaching-Related Opportunities to Pursue as a Postdoc
- Guest lecturing (collect feedback from students)
- Judging competitions
- Organizing and presenting in seminars
- Mentoring students
- Assisting with curriculum development
- Educational outreach
- Advising student organizations
- Training those new to a lab
- Instructional design consulting
- Peer teaching reviews
- Co-teaching a class
- Participating in teaching-related professional development
Penn State Resources
- Teaching and Learning with Technology
- Schreyer Institute for Excellence in Teaching
- Teaching and Learning – University Libraries
- LinkedIn Learning – free courses to all Penn State users, includes teaching content
National Resources
- The Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning
- American Association of Colleges and Universities
- Professional and Organizational Development (POD) Network
- Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
- Association of College and University Educators
- Council of Graduate Schools
- The Chronicle of Higher Education Teaching Newsletter
Recommended Articles
- How to Make Your Teaching More Inclusive (The Chronicle of Higher Education)
- Brief Training and Intensive Mentoring Guide Postdoctoral Scholars to Student-Centered Instruction (CBE Life Sciences Education)