Hello from CETL,
What a wonderful year we have had in teaching and learning at Minnesota State University, Mankato. We are so thankful to our faculty for caring so much about teaching and learning. As busy as faculty are many find time to either join one of our programs or volunteer to help with a program. In fact, this year we had close to 300 faculty either in a program or aiding a program.
We have now "graduated" 70 faculty and teaching assistants from Certificate I and 18 faculty from Certificate II. Coupled with the 60 who went through Certificate I last year this is an amazing number. When you realize there are few programs such as this around the country it is truly remarkable to think how faculty in the programs are changing the teaching culture at our University. And our students are all the better for the hard work this faculty have done to become "better" teachers. The secret is not trying to be a great teacher but rather attempting to always improve.
Our mentor program is now over for the year. We have had many comments from mentors that they have learned more from being a mentor than they have helped their mentee. However, we also hear from mentees who found the experience helpful and useful at the same time. Attempting to become a "Maverick" quickly for a faculty member can be a challenge. Unlike students who sit in classes with many other students each day, new faculty tend to hang out with a few faculty near their office and they are the only faculty in the classroom when they teach. We are happy to give aid to our new faculty in the form of mentors, knowing full well that the mentors are also gaining from the experience.
Over the summer we will be hiring two new faculty fellows (Nan and Gwen are both on sabbatical next year). We thank them for their work with the Center and know how much help they provided faculty during the year. We will also be hiring a new graduate assistant and thank Crystal Newman for her professionalism and care she took in all projects out of the CETL office.
We will continue many of our programs again next year and add a few new ones. Please come back to our website soon for updated material. Until then, have a wonderful summer.
Sincerely,
Stewart Ross
Director, CETL
