What is the Teaching Fellows Program?
The College of Engineering Teaching Fellows program is a six-year professional development series designed to elevate the quality of teaching within engineering, computing, and construction classrooms. This comprehensive program offers a unique opportunity for faculty in the College of Engineering to enhance their instructional practices and foster a vibrant community of educators dedicated to teaching excellence. As a cohort, we explore and implement innovative teaching techniques and research-based instructional strategies. This community serves as a platform for knowledge sharing, idea exchange, and mutual support, creating an atmosphere of continuous growth and improvement.
In addition to the shared learning experiences, the program emphasizes the value of firsthand observation and feedback. Faculty fellows observe other faculty while they teach to gain valuable insights into effective instructional strategies and reflect on own their own teaching practices. Furthermore, faculty fellows themselves are observed, allowing for constructive feedback and tailored guidance to enhance their own teaching practices. Other activities include being paired with experienced instructional designers, one-on-one consultations, teaching-focused professional development, and course and syllabi reviews. By providing a comprehensive framework for professional growth, this program empowers engineering faculty to deliver exceptional educational experiences that inspire and nurture the next generation of engineers.
We have recruited the third cohort of COE Faculty to join the 2-year COE Teaching Fellows Program starting in Fall 2025. The next cohort will be recruited in Fall of 2026. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the program, please contact engr-ecec@unl.edu, Dr. Amie Sommers, or Dr. Tareq Daher. Please note that the program is not currently offered to post-docs and lecturers.
Registration
Please complete the form on the Registration Page.
Requirements
Pre-Teaching Fellows (Years 1-2)
Spanning over a period of two years, the program empowers faculty members to evolve their teaching methodologies by immersing them in a rich learning environment. Upon completion, instructors earn a COE Teaching Fellow designation for one year.
| Year | Fall | Spring | Notes |
| 1 | Learning by Design COPUS Training POCA Observations | Course & Syllabus Review POCA Observations | *POCA Observations are required |
| 2 | Review a Peer's Course Meet with a Teaching Fellow Peer POCA Observations | Special Topics Discussions Present & Reflect on Teaching Activity POCA Observations | *POCA Observations are required |
Teaching Fellows (Years 3-6)
Faculty may elect to continue their development and renew their title by participating in teaching-focused activities. After completing the initial 2-year program, the COE Teaching Fellow title is earned annually, it is not a credential. Each academic year we will host activities focused on a new theme. To maintain your title’s active status for the year, you must complete all requirements for maintaining your COE Teaching Fellow Title for that year.
| Fall | Spring | Goals | |
| Year 3 | Attend 3 discussion and reflection sessions on The Skillful Teacher by Stephen D. Brookfield. | Attend 3 discussion and reflection sessions on special topics in engineering education. | Teaching-Focused Professional Development
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| Year 4 | Attend 3 discussion and reflection sessions on How Humans Learn by Joshua R Eyler. | Attend 3 discussion and reflection sessions on Inclusive Teaching by Hogan and Sathy. | Teaching Approaches
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| Year 5 | Attend peer mentor meetings, and discussion and reflection sessions on selected topics in engineering education. | Attend all sessions of Learning by Design 2. | Building Community
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| Year 6 | Attend 3 discussion and reflection sessions on new reading, to be selected. | Attend 3 discussion and reflection sessions on Improving Teaching and Mental Health in the College Classroom by Eaton et al. | Student-Focused Teaching Practices
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Cook Teaching Fellow
We are excited to welcome Emmeline Watson as the Cook Teaching Fellow!
I am honored to be selected as the inaugural Cook Teaching Fellow, as it provides an opportunity to further pursue my passion for teaching and my deep commitment to student success. This fellowship will offer direction and support as I continue to explore innovative strategies that enhance learning and engagement.
Earning the prestigious title of a Cook Teaching Fellow comes with a commitment and responsibilities that we are confident our chosen candidate will embrace. The goal of the College of Engineering’s Faculty Teaching Fellows Program, led by the college’s Engineering and Computing Education Core (ECEC), is to provide strategic professional development for our faculty with a focus on growing excellence in teaching and learning. This distinguished title is awarded for one year and is renewable contingent upon meeting the requirements for renewal each year. The Teaching Fellow title recognizes those faculty in the college who are committed to continuously working towards teaching excellence. The Cook Teaching Fellow's commitment to the program extends beyond the yearly renewal requirements and they are expected to commit to the program for the next four years.
