The Teaching Commons offers two different certificates to recognize graduate student's and teaching assistant's dedication to the enhancement of teaching and learning at York University. You can earn one or both certificates each year.
Each certificate must be completed within one academic year (between September and August).
Quick Links
Our most flexible certificate that does not require any teaching experience.
Attend any five (5) workshops offered by the Teaching Commons within one academic year (September to August). See the tab below with an overview of the workshops.
We will record your attendance at eligible workshops, and email you an electronic copy of your certificate. Certificates are emailed in December and June each academic year.
There is nothing specific you need to do to enrol in this certificate program, but if you think you've earned a certificate, but don't receive notification by the end of December or June, email maynat@yorku.ca
There are asynchronous modules available ANY TIME that can each count as one workshop toward the certificate!
| Workshop Topic or Title (tentative) | Month typically offered | Approximate length (in hours) |
| Designing your Tutorial | September | 1 |
| Marking and Grading Practices | September & January | 3 |
| Effective Strategies for Teaching in a Lab | September | 1 |
| Teaching Students with Disabilities | September | 1 |
| Supporting First Year Students | September | 1 |
| Teaching Critical Reading Skills | October | 1 |
| Making Meaningful Connections with your Students | October | 1 |
| Participatory Learning: How to Engage your Students | October | 1 |
| Teaching Critical Research Skills | October | 1 |
| Teaching in a Multicultural Classroom | October | 1 |
| What is Conflict? | October | 1 |
| Facilitating Discussions | October | 1 |
| Learn How to Do a Teaching Dossier | October | 2 |
| Teaching Critical Writing Skills | November | 1 |
| Using Active Learning Strategies | November | 1 |
| Dealing with Classroom and Student Conflict | November | 1 |
| Introduction to Course Design: Learning Outcomes | November & May | 1.5 |
| Introduction to Course Design: Assessment | November & May | 1.5 |
| Fostering Academic Integrity | January | 1.5 |
| Classroom strategies for when they have done the readings | January | 1 |
| Asking effective questions to facilitate learning | January | 1 |
| Teaching, research and a life? Finding the right balance | February | 1 |
| Special Topics chosen by Senior Teaching Assistants | February-March | 1 hour each (up to 20 sessions) |
| Learn How to Do a Teaching Dossier | March | 2 |
| Reflective teaching and evaluation | April | 1 |
This certificate is for more experienced graduate students, meaning it will take at least one full semester to earn the certificate. Participation in workshops will give you experience needed to fully engage in the STAY Symposium (the final requirement of the certificate).
- Attend at least four (4) Workshops* AND
- Register and attend the STAY Symposium which takes place annually in May
*To earn both the Junior and Senior Certificates in the same year, you must attend at least 9 workshops and the STAY Symposium.
The Teaching Commons will record your attendance at eligible workshops, and email you an electronic copy of your certificate. Certificates are emailed in December and June each academic year.
There is nothing specific you need to do to enrol in this certificate program, but if you think you've earned a certificate, but don't receive notification by the end of December or June, email maynat@yorku.ca
There are asynchronous modules available ANY TIME that can each count as one workshop toward the certificate!
| Workshop Topic or Title (tentative) | Month typically offered | Approximate length (in hours) |
| Designing your Tutorial | September | 1 |
| Marking and Grading Practices | September & January | 3 |
| Effective Strategies for Teaching in a Lab | September | 1 |
| Teaching Students with Disabilities | September | 1 |
| Supporting First Year Students | September | 1 |
| Teaching Critical Reading Skills | October | 1 |
| Making Meaningful Connections with your Students | October | 1 |
| Participatory Learning: How to Engage your Students | October | 1 |
| Teaching Critical Research Skills | October | 1 |
| Teaching in a Multicultural Classroom | October | 1 |
| What is Conflict? | October | 1 |
| Facilitating Discussions | October | 1 |
| Learn How to Do a Teaching Dossier | October | 2 |
| Teaching Critical Writing Skills | November | 1 |
| Using Active Learning Strategies | November | 1 |
| Dealing with Classroom and Student Conflict | November | 1 |
| Introduction to Course Design: Learning Outcomes | November & May | 1.5 |
| Introduction to Course Design: Assessment | November & May | 1.5 |
| Fostering Academic Integrity | January | 1.5 |
| Classroom strategies for when they have done the readings | January | 1 |
| Asking effective questions to facilitate learning | January | 1 |
| Teaching, research and a life? Finding the right balance | February | 1 |
| Special Topics chosen by Senior Teaching Assistants | February-March | 1 hour each (up to 20 sessions) |
| Learn How to Do a Teaching Dossier | March | 2 |
| Reflective teaching and evaluation | April | 1 |
Contact
For any inquiries related to the Record of Completion Certificates, contact Natasha May, Educational Developer.
Email: maynat@yorku.ca