5.1 Programs for the Development of Teaching
5.1.1 Faculty Orientation Workshops
Prior to each fall semester there is a fall orientation seminar, part of which is devoted to issues of teaching.
5.1.2 Summer Seminars on Teaching
The summer seminar program is planned by the faculty fellows of the Teaching and Learning Network, who are overseen by the Faculty Development Committee. These seminars are directed toward Calvin's corporate needs for teaching development. In the past, the seminars have dealt with topics such as integration of faith and learning, teaching through writing, linking community service with teaching, using technology in teaching, and teaching for multicultural sensitivity.
5.1.3 Mentoring
Upon arrival on campus new faculty are assigned a departmental mentor. The mentor advises the new faculty in all areas of college life, including teaching. In addition to the department mentor program, there is a system of college-wide mentoring that focuses specifically on assistance with teaching. This mentoring program is designed to assist individual faculty members who request advice or assistance from a designated faculty teaching mentor. In some cases faculty make such requests on their own initiative; in other cases they do so on the advice of an academic dean or department chairperson.
5.1.4 Grants for Innovations in Teaching
The fellows of the Teaching and Leraning Network, overseen by the Faculty Development Committee, administer a program of small grants to encourage innovations in teaching. The grants are intended to cover the expenses of developing a new pedagogy for a particular faculty member.
5.1.5 Presidential Award for Exemplary Teaching
Through the funding of an interested alumnus, the college introduced a Presidential Award for Exemplary Teaching. This award, offered once each year, is intended to acknowledge "exemplary" qualities that go beyond teaching excellence and also to encourage development of teaching among the faculty.
5.1.6 Sabbatical Projects
Requirements for teaching-related sabbaticals are described in 5.3.
