Join the Academy

All graduate student community members at Virginia Tech are invited to apply to be Members of the Academy of Outstanding Graduate Pedagogy.

Members are defined as:

• A graduate student who does not have significant, or any, teaching experience (for example: a student who has acted as a Teaching Assistant (TA) for less than one year or course, or has been charged with the mentoring or supervision of undergraduates for less than one year or one course, or is in their first semester of acting in any teaching role or capacity).
• A graduate student who is seeking to expand their pedagogical skillset through AOGP opportunities.

By becoming a Member of AOGP, students are eligible to:

• Attend AOGP events and meetings, assist with leadership opportunities and event planning, and more.
• Receive mentorship and consultation from Associates and Fellows.
• Receive access to Associate, Fellow, and Affiliated Faculty pedagogical materials.
• Receive opportunities to observe in AOGP Affiliated Faculty classrooms and Fellow classrooms.
• Receive a cord for graduation regalia.

Required Application Materials for Members

A completed application form, which includes:

• A brief introduction to the selection committee (250 words or less)
• A brief description of any teaching experience, academic or otherwise (including mentorship, lab leadership, coaching, and non-traditional teaching) OR why you are interested in learning more about teaching (250 words or less)

Associate Members are defined as:

• A graduate student who has one year, or one course, of teaching experience as a TA, mentor, Instructor of Record, or other teaching opportunity.
• A graduate student with pedagogical knowledge and interest who is seeking to further develop their existing practice through AOGP opportunities.
• A graduate student with interest in supporting the pedagogical development of their fellow members.

By becoming an Associate of AOGP, students are eligible to:

• Attend, plan, and participate in AOGP events and meetings.
• Receive direct mentorship from Fellows.
• Receive access to Associate, Fellow, and Affiliated Faculty pedagogical materials.
• Receive opportunities to observe in AOGP Affiliated Faculty classrooms and Fellow classrooms.
• Receive opportunities to apply for Associate AOGP awards.
  
• Receive a double cord for graduation regalia.

Required Application Materials for Associates

• A brief introduction to the selection committee (250 words or less)
• A brief description of teaching experience, including any coaching, mentorship, lab leadership, etc.: Associate applicants must identify one (1) full semester or one (1) course for which they have acted in any teaching capacity (Instructor of Record, Teaching Assistant, Laboratory Mentor, Undergraduate Mentor) (250 words or less)
• A brief description of what the AOGP values of innovation, collaboration, excellence, empowerment, and inclusion mean to you (500 words or less)
• A brief description of future teaching goals (250 words or less)

The Fellow membership level of the Academy for Outstanding Graduate Pedagogy at Virginia Tech is reserved for the most distinguished graduate student teachers with the highest degree of pedagogical excellence. Fellowship in the AOGP is regarded as a significant honor bestowed upon exceptional graduate teachers by the Graduate School and the university more broadly.

Outstanding refers to acts of teaching and learning that exceed basic standards of proficiency, with particular excellence in care, innovation, competence, passion, and more. Defining a graduate student teacher as outstanding may be established by a diverse and continuously evolving set of criteria that is adaptive to current institutional standards and climates.

While Members, Associates, and Fellows all uphold this criteria, Fellows are indicative of the moniker “outstanding” in action in the learning environment.

Fellows are defined as:

• A graduate student who has more than one year, or course, of teaching experience as a TA, mentor, Instructor of Record, or other teaching opportunity.
• A graduate student with a demonstrated history of pedagogical knowledge, interest, and practice, with a desire to disseminate their knowledge to others.
• A graduate student with an interest in upholding the highest standards of the AOGP, and participating in shaping the AOGP currently and in the future.
• A graduate student with an interest in acting as a mentor for other graduate students.
• A graduate student who is seeking opportunities to have their pedagogical work honored, celebrated, and broadly shared.

As the leaders, ambassadors, and highest standing members of the AOGP, Fellow opportunities include, but are not limited to:

• Attend, plan, and participate in AOGP events, meetings, and Fellow meetings.
• Receive direct mentorship and support from AOGP Affiliated Faculty.
• Receive invitations to Fellow-specific events and opportunities.
• Receive access to Fellow and Affiliated Faculty pedagogical materials.
• Receive opportunities to observe in AOGP Affiliated Faculty classrooms, and receive AOGP Affiliated Faculty observations of their own pedagogical work.
• Receive opportunities to apply for Fellow AOGP awards.
• Receive opportunities to engage in campus outreach activities, including guest lectureships, pedagogical workshops, and other career-building possibilities.
• Receive a featured page on the AOGP website documenting university presence and achievements.
• Present in AOGP-specified conference panels and opportunities.
• Engage in meaningful networking and engagement opportunities with campus stakeholders and affiliated organizations.
• Gain experience in mentorship of other graduate students.
• Serve on the AOGP Executive Board.
• Engagement in Future Faculty Preparation workshops.
• Receive a double cord and stole for graduation regalia

Required Application Materials for Fellows

• A brief introduction to the selection committee (250 words or less)
• A brief description of teaching experience, including any coaching, mentorship, lab leadership, etc.: Fellow applicants must describe one (1) full year or more for which they have acted in any teaching capacity (Instructor of Record, Teaching Assistant, Laboratory Mentor, Undergraduate Mentor) (250 words or less)
• A brief description of what the AOGP values of innovation, collaboration, excellence, empowerment, and inclusion mean to you (500 words or less)
• A brief articulation of your teaching philosophy, including core beliefs on pedagogy, role of the teacher in the classroom, and approach to student learning (500 words or less)
• A brief description of any relevant leadership experiences in the classroom or beyond (250 words or less)
• A brief description of how you see yourself upholding the standard of outstanding pedagogical work (250 words or less)
• The contact information of (1) faculty member willing to complete a brief reference form on your behalf