Graduate Teaching Orientation (GTO) is a REQUIRED event, dedicated to orienting all of MU’s domestic and international graduate students serving in a role in teaching at Mizzou for the first time.
EVENT OVERVIEW:
Dates: Thursday and Friday, August 20 and 21, 2026
Locations:
Thursday: Virtual via Zoom and Memorial Union, North Tower, second floor
Friday: Walter Johnson Auditorium in Middlebush Hall and Memorial Union, North Tower, second floor
Canvas Resource Site: Graduate Teaching Orientation 2026–2027
Graduate students must attend all scheduled sessions and three concurrent sessions, selecting one different concurrent session during each of the three scheduled hours. Attendance will be taken at every session. Please plan your schedule accordingly and arrive on time.
There will be no coffee or beverage service provided on either day.
A light lunch will be provided on Friday for those who have registered by 5:00 p.m. on Friday,
August 7.
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DAY 1: Thursday, August 20, 2026 Morning: Virtual via Zoom Afternoon: In person at Memorial Union, North Tower, 2nd floor |
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| 9:00 a.m. – 9:10 a.m. | Welcome & Orientation Overview Graduate Teaching Orientation begins with a welcome and an overview of the program and the variety of teaching assistant roles at Mizzou. Presented by: Dr. Brian Houston, Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs Dr. Amy Lannin, Interim Director, Teaching for Learning Center |
| 9:10 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. | Logistical Announcements Presented by: Kelly Holtkamp, M.Ed., Interim Associate Director, Teaching for Learning Center |
| 9:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. | Academic Freedom & Intellectual Pluralism This session gives all participants a common foundation for understanding academic freedom, intellectual pluralism, and effective facilitation of classroom dialogue. The session uses brief framing, classroom examples, and one applied scenario so that participants leave with practical strategies rather than only policy language. Learning outcomes:
Dr. Bethany Stone, Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor, Biological Sciences |
| 9:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Break |
| 10:00 a.m. – 10:55 a.m. | Graduate Student Panel: Peer Perspectives on Teaching Current graduate students will share their experiences, advice, and perspectives on teaching at Mizzou. Presented by: Dr. Doug Valentine and Graduate Instructor Panelists Skylar Ciccolini, Doctoral Student, Natural Resources Ashlyn Holt, Master’s Student in the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program Raven Smith, Master’s Student Textile and Apparel Management |
| 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Our Undergraduate Students Learn all about who our students are! We’ll look at trends that tell the student story from demographics to sense of belonging you will learn about our students and have insights into our incoming Tigers. You’ll hear about fraternity & sorority life, student learning & leadership and Mizzou traditions that contribute to the undergraduate experience. Learning outcomes:
Dr. Angela King Taylor, Vice Chancellor for the Division of Student Affairs |
| 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Lunch Break and Travel to Campus (Memorial Union, North Tower, 2nd floor) |
| 1:00 p.m. – 1:50 p.m. | Concurrent Workshops Select an interactive workshop on a topic of your choosing from the options described below. Participants must attend three total concurrent workshops. |
| 2:00 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. | Concurrent Workshops Select a second interactive workshop from the options described below. |
| 3:00 p.m. – 3:50 p.m. | Concurrent Workshops Select a third interactive workshop from the options described below. |
| 3:50 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Review/Reflection/Feedback
Participants will have the opportunity to review the day, ask questions and provide feedback on their experience. |
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CONCURRENT WORKSHOP OPTIONS Memorial Union, North Tower, 2nd floor |
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| Workshop Option | Setting the Tone: Succeeding on Your First Day in the Classroom (N201C) The first day of class sets the foundation for the entire semester. This interactive session will provide guidance on how to start strong, build confidence, and create a positive learning environment from day one. Participants will explore practical strategies for establishing credibility, communicating expectations, fostering inclusive and engaging interactions, and handling common first-day challenges. Attendees will leave with concrete tools and a clear plan for leading a successful, student-centered first class session. Learning outcomes:
Professor Deborah Huelsbergen, Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor, Professor of Graphic Design, School of Visual Studies |
| Workshop Option | Teaching with AI (N214A) How do we meaningfully integrate generative artificial intelligence into our classes? Where can and should we use AI to help us engage our students? Where can and should students use AI to enhance, rather than circumvent, their learning? Where should students not use AI, and how can we help them choose to do the work of learning for themselves? We’ll discuss these questions, explore MU’s guidance and recommendations for teaching with AI, and examine practical teaching-with-AI strategies across disciplines. Learning outcomes:
Dr. Kevin Brown, Associate Professor of Theatre and Performance Studies and Faculty Fellow at the Teaching for Learning Center |
| Workshop Option | Academic Technology: Supporting Your Teaching with Technology (N214C) This session provides an introduction to academic technology tools at Mizzou that support instructional efforts and effective learning. Graduate teaching assistants and instructors will be introduced to eLearning, Canvas, Panopto, and other available tools. Learning outcomes:
Cathy Eatherton, Director of Academic Technology, eLearning |
| Workshop Option | Universal Design for Learning in Action: Strategies for All Learners (N214B) Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a research-based framework that helps instructors design effective learning experiences for all learners through flexible approaches to engagement, representation, and action and expression. Knowing the framework is one thing; applying it in graduate-level teaching is another. In this session, experienced UDL practitioners will share practical, instructor-tested strategies for bringing UDL into graduate courses. Learn what has worked in real classrooms, how small design choices can enhance learner engagement, and how UDL can support rigorous, high-impact learning without adding to your workload. You’ll leave with concrete ideas you can use right away in your own teaching. Learning outcomes:
Dr. Ashley Brickley, Director of the Disability Center Laura Foley, Instructional Designer, eLearning Dr. Caroline Waldbuesser, Assistant Teaching Professor, Department of Communication |
| Workshop Option | Ask Me Anything Roundtable Discussion (N201A) Join this informal conversation about whatever is on your mind as you take on a new teaching role. Are you wondering about the best way to interact with challenging students? Perhaps you are interested in discussing a case study that can help set you up for success in your new role. Experienced professors and faculty fellows in the Teaching for Learning Center will provide a welcoming and supportive atmosphere in which to explore your questions and collaboratively solve problems related to teaching in dynamic times. Learning outcomes:
Dr. Steve Klien, Teaching Professor, Communication and colleagues Dr. Mehwish Faheem, Assistant Teaching Professor, Biological Sciences Dr. Tony Castro, Department Chair and Associate Professor, Learning, Teaching & Curriculum |
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DAY 2: Friday, August 21, 2026 In person: Middlebush Hall – Walter Johnson Auditorium and Memorial Union, North Tower, 2nd floor |
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| 9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. | Welcome & Overview of the Teaching for Learning Center Presented by: Dr. Jeni Hart, Dean of the Graduate School, Vice Provost for Graduate Studies Dr. Amy Lannin, Interim Director, Teaching for Learning Center |
| 9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | Teaching with Confidence This session addresses common questions and concerns for those who are starting out in their teaching journey. We’ll explore strategies for establishing your presence and authority in the classroom while building rapport and fostering a safe, respectful environment that encourages student engagement and learning. Learning outcomes:
Rachel Long, MA, Director, Teaching Assistant Instructional & Language Support (TAILS) |
| 10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Walk to Memorial Union |
| 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Putting It All Together: Role-Specific Breakouts, Part 1 In this session, you will break into smaller groups based on specific teaching roles. You will take a more focused look at the responsibilities, challenges, and strategies most relevant to your role. Facilitated by experienced instructors, these discussions will provide space to ask targeted questions, share ideas, and begin planning for the semester ahead with peers who have similar responsibilities. Learning outcomes:
Professor Deborah Huelsbergen, Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor, Professor of Graphic Design, School of Visual Studies Dr. Dawn Heston, Associate Teaching Professor, Spanish, Director of Graduate Studies Dr. Mitra Asgari, Assistant Teaching Professor, Biological Sciences Dr. Amanda Durbak, Teaching Professor, Biological Sciences Dr. Bethany Stone, Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor, Biological Sciences Dr. Lydia Bentley, Associate Director, Teaching for Learning Center, Assistant Teaching Professor, Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis Dr. Stephen Klien, Teaching Professor, Communication |
| 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Lunch A light lunch will be provided on Friday for those who have registered by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7. |
| 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Putting It All Together: Role-Specific Breakouts, Part 2 In this session, you will continue working in smaller groups based on specific teaching roles. You will take a more focused look at the responsibilities, challenges, and strategies most relevant to your role. Facilitated by experienced instructors, these discussions will provide space to ask targeted questions, share ideas, and continue planning for the semester ahead with peers who have similar responsibilities. Learning outcomes:
Professor Deborah Huelsbergen, Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor, Professor of Graphic Design, School of Visual Studies Dr. Dawn Heston, Associate Teaching Professor, Spanish, Director of Graduate Studies Dr. Mitra Asgari, Assistant Teaching Professor, Biological Sciences Dr. Amanda Durbak, Teaching Professor, Biological Sciences Dr. Bethany Stone, Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor, Biological Sciences Dr. Lydia Bentley, Associate Director, Teaching for Learning Center, Assistant Teaching Professor, Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis Dr. Stephen Klien, Teaching Professor, Communication |
| 1:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. | Walk to Middlebush Auditorium |
| 1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. | Intercultural Communication in Teaching This required session offers practical guidance for graduate teaching assistants on navigating cultural dynamics in the classroom, studio, or lab. We’ll explore how cultural backgrounds shape learning behaviors, communication styles, and expectations and provide strategies for fostering inclusive, respectful learning environments. Through real-world examples, interactivity, and open discussion, you’ll leave with tools to build confidence, empathy, and adaptability in your teaching practice. Learning outcomes:
Rachel Long, MA, Director, Teaching Assistant Instructional & Language Support (TAILS) |
| 2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Discussion, Support & Feedback Facilitated by: Dr. Amy Lannin, Interim Director, Teaching for Learning Center |