As the 2025-2026 academic year comes to an end, the Center for Teaching would like to thank our graduate teaching fellows for their invaluable work.

We asked them to reflect on a memorable aspect of the fellowship:

Meredith Healy, MFA Directing Candidate, Theatre Arts

One of the most valuable things was the opportunity to engage with other graduate students from across campus, and to find that even though our departments have many differences, we can still find commonality in our approaches to teaching. These varied perspectives were incredibly helpful as I created my workshop this spring. The group was always engaged and supportive in offering ideas and feedback for Fellows’ independent projects. I will miss having a space where we could celebrate our accomplishments in the classroom and break down how to address more difficult or frustrating moments together.  

Brody DeBettignies, Doctoral Candidate, Political Science

The Graduate Teaching Fellowship is a wonderful opportunity that opens so many doors. Between assistance with practical elements like drafting teaching statements and delving into the scholarship of teaching and learning, I am leaving the year with a set of tools that will serve me well as I pursue a career in academia. Particularly, the chance to teach a first-year seminar in fall 2026 stands out to me. Receiving great support from Katherine Beydler and the Center for Teaching to develop my own course and help new students acclimate to the University of Iowa is a real gift.

Sarah Frank, Ph.D. Graduate Candidate, English Literature

One of the biggest privileges of the Fellows program was getting to work toward major milestones alongside a dedicated group of peers. Together, we navigated a lot of firsts, from workshopping teaching-as-research projects to preparing for job talks. The fact that we came from different disciplines made our discussions incredibly dynamic, helping me see teaching from others’ perspectives and, in turn, view my own field through fresh eyes. My approach to teaching and learning is much stronger because of this group, and I am fortunate to have their insights and support guiding me as I move forward.

Shri Vishalini Rajaram, Ph.D. Candidate, Human Toxicology

Coming from an interdisciplinary program, I had limited exposure to how teaching operates within universities in the U.S. This fellowship gave me a clear, practical understanding of that structure, from pedagogy to expectations in academic settings. A key highlight was refining materials for the academic job market, especially my teaching statement, through iterative feedback. Learning from fellow TAs across disciplines exposed me to concrete teaching strategies and classroom approaches that I could immediately reflect on and adapt.

Katherine’s feedback was particularly impactful. She not only strengthened my teaching materials but also introduced me to resources that sparked my interest in pursuing qualitative SoTL research. This experience has made my approach to teaching more intentional, structured, and grounded in evidence.

Jenna Springer, Graduate Teaching Assistant, Health, Sport, and Human Physiology

One of the most memorable aspects of the Fellows program was engaging in discussions about several pedagogical issues and teaching approaches with graduate students from different disciplines. These conversations broadened my perspective on teaching and deepened my understanding of course and assignment design, as well as the structure of higher education. Katherine and the Fellows also provided invaluable support during my academic job application process, including guidance on my teaching philosophy, interview preparation, and teaching demonstration. Their mentorship and support were instrumental throughout this process!