Graduate Academy Program 2026
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PRE-WORK: If you haven’t already, get access to the Grad Academy eText.
- eText Chapter “Running a Class Session” must be completed before sessions begin on Monday, August 17.
- eText Chapter “Grading” must be completed before the end of the day Tuesday, August 18.
- eText Chapters “Policies and TA Resources” and “Beyond the Academy” must be completed before Fall classes begin.
Monday, August 17
Complete asynchronous pre-work before sessions begin in the afternoon.
Welcome, announcements, orientation to the program, and a few helpful tips.
Choose a session that appeals most to you and join the corresponding Zoom room by 1:45 p.m. CST.
Title (Facilitator) | Description |
A1. Health, Wellness, and Well-being: A Conversation about Recognizing Stress & (potential) Burnout (Jeanine Bensken) | Explore health, wellness, and well-being through an interactive session focused on stress, burnout, self-care, and community support. Learn to recognize personal and systemic influences, identify prevention strategies, and discover resources that strengthen well-being across the academic community. |
A2. iClicker Instruction for Grad Academy (David Reid & David Collier) | Join us to learn about how to set up iClicker polling for your classroom, how to connect the iClicker grades to Canvas, and how best to utilize polling during class. |
A3. Effectively Working with Students with Disabilities in your Classes (Ann Fredricksen) | Come and explore some scenarios of what you can and should do when you have a student in your course with a Letter of Accommodation from DRES. We'll be exploring: What do you do when your students are struggling to thrive in your course? What are your responsibilities if they need testing accommodations? Is your course material accessible? Are you interested in making your teaching more universally designed? Learn this and more! [Culture and Diversity Session] |
A4. Fostering Critical Thinking (Rachel Banke) | In reviews of college instructors’ syllabi, the most commonly listed learning goal is critical thinking. But what does critical thinking actually mean? In this session, new instructors will develop a working definition of critical thinking that is useful in their academic discipline, and leave with strategies for promoting critical thinking in various settings, including discussions, instructor-led lectures, and one-on-one interactions with students such as in laboratory or office hour settings. |
A5. Teaching for Your Career and Professional Development (Derek Attig) | Make the most of teaching by approaching it as an opportunity for career and professional development. Whether your future involves teaching or not, your time in the classroom can help you develop a range of important skills valued by employers. |
A6. Introduction to GenAI for Teaching & Learning (Jim Wentworth) | In this beginner-level presentation you'll gain valuable insights into the evolving world of generative AI. We'll explore how GenAI can enhance teaching and learning while also giving you a glimpse into the potential future of these technologies. Don't forget to bring your laptop or mobile device to try out some free tools firsthand. |
A7. Accessibility in Canvas (Lindsey Sharp) | In this session you will learn how to ensure your digital materials are accessible to all students right from the start. This practical session covers your legal and ethical responsibilities with hands-on tips for making content accessible in Canvas. The principles you learn will apply to other digital communication including email, documents, and more. Walk away knowing what accessibility means, how to do it well, and where to find support when you need it. [Culture and Diversity Session] |
A8. Guiding Students to Explore Scientific Literature (Kostas Kourtikakis) | Students often struggle with foundational scientific works due to complex language and methods. This talk presents a structured approach that helps students engage confidently with challenging texts, preserving their richness while developing deeper subject knowledge and stronger scientific reading skills. |
Choose a session that appeals most to you and join the corresponding Zoom room by 3 p.m. CST.
| Title (Facilitator) | Description |
|---|---|
| B1. Developing Responsive & Empathetic Teaching Practices Through HCD (Carrie James) | Our students bring a multitude of lived experiences and diverse cultural heritages with them into the classroom. In this workshop session, attendees will learn concrete practices to help them develop responsive and empathetic teaching practices by using a human-centered design (HCD) approach. [Culture and Diversity Session] |
B2. So You Want More Discussion in your Discussion Sections (Christian Ray) | There are different ways to encourage active participation and discussion in science classes. We will look at ways to engage your science students, especially in a discussion-type setting. |
B3. Supporting First-Gen Students on Campus (Jordan Alcantar & Maria Emerson) | This session will introduce a campus-level resource for students who are among the first generation in their families to attend higher education. Attendees will gain a stronger understanding of shared terminology, relevant campus enrollment data, and how to make referrals to supportive staff/resources. [Culture and Diversity Session] |
B4. High Enrollment Course Management in Canvas (Rachel Martiniak) | This workshop focuses on managing high enrollment courses in the Canvas learning management system. Topics include differences between groups/sections/differentiation tags, gradebook settings, communication strategies, and other helpful tools. Basic Canvas knowledge is beneficial but not required. Will include a short hands-on portion with an example course site. |
B5. When Logistics Matters: The Impact of Course Modality on Student Engagement in the Classroom (Janaynne Carvalho do Amaral) | In this session, I will share my experience on teaching in-person, online, and hybrid courses and discuss how the logistics of teaching in different modalities impact student engagement and class management. Based on personal experiences and previous literature on teaching, participants will learn basic tips on planning and delivering courses in different modalities. |
B6. “What is THAT?” Getting to Know the Work of the Student Ombuds (Kristine McCoskey) | Participants in this session will learn about the work of Ombuds Assistance and Resources for Students (OARS), including IOA Standards of Practice (confidentiality, informality, independence, and impartiality) and how we support students in navigating conflict and challenges with the university. |
B7. Generative AI Chatbots at Illinois: A Guide to Campus-Approved AI Tools (Mike Cervone) | We will explore the various AI Chatbots available on campus with particular attention to feature sets, user eligibility, licensing requirements, and privacy considerations. |
B8. Proactive Accessibility in the Classroom (Brie Kunstman) | This workshop examines the importance of proactive accessibility in undergraduate teaching, offering strategies to foster inclusive learning environments. Participants will explore tools and pedagogical approaches that anticipate diverse student needs, promoting equitable access and engagement across higher education settings. [Culture and Diversity Session] |
Tuesday, August 18
As of August 16th, your contract with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has expired. The Graduate Employees' Organization (GEO) is the union representing TAs, GAs, RAs, and PGAs at the University, and we are currently negotiating our next contract. In our last contract negotiations, GEO won benefits for graduate workers including guaranteed access to summer healthcare, nearly $145 in semesterly fee waivers (including the international student fee), 6 weeks paid parental leave, and a 25%+ wage increase over 4 years. Join the GEO session to learn about your union and its resources. We’ll discuss the current status of contract negotiations, some of the big issues we are fighting for, and how you can help build a stronger community as we fight to win a fair contract.
The university works because we do!
Locate your department on the table below and go to the corresponding room by 1:15 pm CST. If you don’t see your department, ask for help at the tables set up in Lincoln Hall and Gregory Hall.
Department | Room |
|---|---|
| Gregory Hall 100 |
| Gregory Hall 213 |
| Lincoln Hall 1090 |
| Gregory Hall 321 |
| Gregory Hall 311 |
| Gregory Hall 319 |
| Gregory Hall 223 |
| Lincoln Hall 1027 |
| Henry Administration Building 138 |
| Henry Administration Building 137 |
| Lincoln Hall 1000 |
| Lincoln Hall 1065 |
| Henry Administration Building 156 |
| Lincoln Hall 1002 |
| Lincoln Hall 1092 |
Choose a session that appeals most to you and go to the corresponding room by 2:45 pm CST. If the room is full, go to your second choice.
Title (Facilitator) | Description | Room |
|---|---|---|
C1. Handling Difficult Classroom Situations (Abbas Aminmansour) | This session covers different types of difficult situations that may occur in the classroom, how to avoid them, and how to deal with them if they occur. | Gregory 213 |
C2. Distressed and Distressing Students (Sue Stock & Jeff Lindsey) | College students are experiencing significant mental health problems, which makes it likely you will encounter a student in distress. Come learn some basic skills on how to help these students, and gain information on important campus resources! [Culture and Diversity Session] | Gregory 100 |
C3. Canvas at Illinois: Key Features for Teaching Assistants (Dan Hahn) | This interactive session will provide a basic orientation on how to use the Canvas Learning Management System. Topics include how to get started in a Canvas course, including content creation, assessments, grading and course management. We'll also cover features for communicating with students and how to configure course and notification settings. No previous experience with Canvas is necessary. | Lincoln 1092 |
C4. Creating a Culture of Respect: Addressing Sexual Misconduct (Nora Peterson) | As teaching assistants, graduate students play a key role in creating a safe campus environment. Join staff from the Women's Resources Center and the Title IX Office as we explore ways sexual misconduct may show up in the classroom and identify action steps for teaching assistants to take as partners in sexual violence prevention. [Culture and Diversity Session] | Gregory 321 |
C5. Exploring Human-Centered Engineering at the Siebel Center for Design (Saad Shehab) | Explore how human-centered design enhances engineering education with the Siebel Center for Design. This interactive session for TAs includes hands-on activities, practical insights, and a tour of the Siebel Center for Design—connecting theory to real-world challenges through design thinking. | Siebel Center for Design 1000 |
C6. Know Your Tools: Classroom Technology (Brendan Trauth) | The session will provide an overview of the IT Service Desk and available resources for classroom technology needs. We will review and demonstrate how to use the technology in a general-assignment classroom and common troubleshooting tips to resolve issues. Teaching is hard enough without having to worry about how to turn on the computer, so come to this session and get to know your tools! | Lincoln 1090 |
C7. Balancing the TA Workload, or, How Do I Wear All These Hats? (Kathleen McGowan) | TAs at Illinois do lots of different work, and balance it with their research, coursework, and other obligations. This workshop will explore strategies for striking a good work-life balance and for making TA work a supportive part of a degree program. | Gregory 319 |
C8. LGBTQ Cultural Humility in the Classroom (Dane Rivas-Koehl) | The workshop covers LGBTQ terminology, pronoun use, and how to be affirming of LGBTQ students in the classroom. The workshop also provides resources for TAs such as inclusive syllabus statements, name change information, and an all-gender campus restroom map. [Culture and Diversity Session] | Gregory 223 |
C9. Teaching an Undergraduate Lab (Manny Rodriguez) | Learn essential strategies for teaching undergraduate STEM labs, including preparation, student support, grading, teamwork, inclusivity, and fostering a growth mindset. | Lincoln 1000 |
C10. Your Rights and Protections as an International Worker (GEO) | International graduate workers are an essential part of our campus workforce and our union. Come learn about your workplace rights, contract protections, and resources related to immigration status, safety, and support. We will also discuss how your union, GEO, supports international workers and how collective action helps protect all graduate workers. | Lincoln 1002 |
Choose a session that appeals most to you and go to the corresponding room by 4 p.m. CST. If the room is full, go to your second choice.
Title (Facilitator) | Description | Room |
|---|---|---|
D1. What Makes a Great Foreign-Language Lesson? A TA’s Perspective (Mihir Madye) | This session equips incoming foreign-language TAs with foundational principles for planning and delivering effective lessons. Drawing on language pedagogy research and teaching experience, participants will explore practical strategies for lesson design, classroom implementation, and fostering active student learning. | Gregory 215 |
D2. Utilizing Spurlock in your Teaching (Abigail Padfield Narayan) | This session will explore the Spurlock Museum and help give grad students practical ways to incorporate the resources of the Spurlock Museum into their teaching. I will highlight strategies for integrating museum visits, virtual collections, and artifact-based learning activities into course assignments and discussions. The session will also touch on other ways that grad students can collaborate with Spurlock. | Lincoln 1027 |
D3. The Empowered TA (Alexia Hammonds) | Step into your first semester as a TA with confidence. This supportive session offers real stories, practical tools, and strategies for setting boundaries, managing student challenges, protecting your well-being, and teaching with clarity, balance, and compassion. | Gregory 319 |
D4. Responding to Student Writing (Carolyn Wisniewski) | Learn to respond to student writing in ways that are efficient, consistent, and valuable to students. You will gain strategies for providing effective feedback to support student writing and motivation while being mindful of your teaching goals and labor. | Lincoln 1090 |
D5. Partnering With the Library to Better Support Student Research Challenges (Alex Deeke) | Are you teaching a course that includes a research assignment or research component for your students? If so, this is the session for you! Session presenters will share our expertise in designing effective research experiences, evaluating resources to help navigate complex information systems, and collaborating with campus instructors to provide specialized instruction on research skills. | Gregory 321 |
D6. Managing Mental Health as a Teaching Assistant (Eden Rozing) | This session will focus on managing mental health and wellbeing while working as a teaching assistant, to the benefit of both the educator and the students. We will briefly cover multiple related topics, including potential sources of stress for TAs and how anxiety and depression can impact teaching and learning. We will also go over strategies to address and manage these feelings. | Lincoln 1000 |
D7. Strategies for TA Office Hours / Drop-In Review Sessions (Michael Bowen) | Office Hours offer more than just a time to answer student questions. Providing Drop-In Office Hours gives TAs an opportunity to support student learning, build connections, and foster a welcoming learning environment. This interactive workshop will equip you with practical strategies for facilitating productive and inclusive sessions. Together, we'll explore ways to communicate effectively, establish clear expectations and boundaries, and respond confidently to common challenges. | Gregory 223 |
D8. Communication Strategies for International TAs in the US Classroom (Eva Miszoglad) | This interactive session is designed for international graduate students preparing to serve as teaching assistants in a U.S. college classroom for the first time. It is particularly helpful for students who have concerns about their language skills and how to improve them. Participants will learn practical strategies for managing language-related challenges and explore common expectations U.S. college students may have of their instructors. [Culture and Diversity Session] | Gregory 100 |
D9. The Power of Presentation: Enhancing your Slides for Engagement (Jamie Nelson) | Throughout your life you will, almost certainly, give presentations. We have all sat through presentations that were boring, confusing, and drab. How do you communicate your message most succinctly? What visuals will captivate and inform your audience the best? Is it only about your slide design or are there other techniques that leave a lasting impression? In this session we distill the magic that just might take your next presentation from bland to grand. http://go.illinois.edu/presentation | Gregory 213 |
D10. Understanding your Healthcare (GEO) | Your healthcare coverage is negotiated by graduate workers like you through your labor union, the Graduate Employees' Organization (GEO). Come learn about your healthcare coverage, general healthcare information, and how to navigate the American healthcare system from fellow graduate workers! | Lincoln 1002 |
Wednesday, August 19 and Thursday, August 20 – Microteaching
Participants attend one two-hour Microteaching session, which occur throughout both days, face-to-face on campus. Participants will be able to choose a Microteaching time as soon as they are registered for the Academy