Graduate student teaching assistants (TAs) play a critical role in the teaching mission of the Eberly College of Science. As TAs, they are an additional resource for leading learning sessions outside the classroom and leading laboratory sections. Supporting their professional development is crucial if we want our undergraduate students to have the best learning experiences. It is also important to note that graduate students’ professional development in teaching is an important component in building the next generation of faculty.
The Grove Center works collaboratively with the departments in the Eberly College of Science to support graduate students’ professional development in education. The center serves as a hub for collective resources and supports a graduate student learning community led by graduate students who are passionate about teaching.
Graduate Student Resources
In spring 2024, the Graduate Educational Community of Practice was launched by graduates for graduates. The community meets bimonthly.
The Center for the Integration of Research Teaching and Learning (CIRTL) is a national network of institutions that share graduate teaching and educational research resources for professional development and a recognized certificate program.
As members of CIRTL, Penn State graduate students have access to all the network resources and can obtain a teaching certificate.
The Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence (SITE) is Penn State’s centralized teaching and learning center. SITE provides educational professional development support for all Penn State graduate students.
