Teaching Forward
A tiered professional development program for faculty committed to reflective, effective, and innovative teaching
Teaching Forward is a structured, flexible professional development program designed to support faculty in continually enhancing their teaching practice. Built around evidence-based principles and scalable activities, the program invites all faculty—regardless of discipline, rank, or experience—to participate in a sustained, reflective approach to improving student learning and engagement.
Numerous studies demonstrate that effective teaching directly contributes to improved student learning, engagement, and retention. Teaching Forward offers a coherent, ongoing development pathway for faculty to receive structured support for continuous improvement and additional recognition for their teaching grounded in the following assumptions:
- Teaching is a core professional responsibility that evolves over time.
- Professional development for faculty should be practical and responsive.
- Sustained engagement with pedagogy strengthens instructional quality and fosters student success.
- Communities of practice and mentoring relationships can reduce isolation and promote innovation.
Teaching Forward was developed collaboratively by the School of Education and Human Development, College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, and Center for Teaching Excellence.
More about program eligibility and requirements.
More about enrolling in the program.
List of the program's most commonly asked questions.