Inclusive Excellence is proud to present one of two in-house certificate programs. The Inclusive Excellence Teaching Certificate will be facilitated by Dr. Chris Babits, the Director of Education and Professional Learning
About the Program
The Inclusive Excellence Teaching Certificate program provides faculty and graduate students with a professional learning opportunity to engage with evidence-based inclusive teaching practices. The purpose is to further equip early-career teacher-scholars with the “nuts and bolts” of effective teaching, no matter their discipline or field of research. The Inclusive Excellence Teaching Certificate program is open to any faculty member or graduate student, though cohorts will be limited to eight (8) participants per semester.
Over the course of the semester, participants will meet weekly as a cohort to discuss common readings.
These meetings will take place over Zoom to ensure participation is possible throughout USU’s Statewide system.
The creation and submission of a pedagogical item (e.g., course module, class assignment, revised teaching statement) by each participant will be a key feature of the Inclusive Excellence Teaching Certificate program. Participants will receive constructive feedback on these items from the Director of Education and Professional Learning and members of the program.
Participants will also select from a range of workshops to improve their teaching and leadership skills. These workshops include, but are not limited to, Navigating Contrapower in Education, Inclusive Teaching and Leadership Practices, and Inclusive Online Teaching and Leadership Practices.
Program Benefits
Participants will receive the following from being part of the Inclusive Excellence Teaching Certificate program:
- Books and other materials purchased and supplied by Inclusive Excellence.
- Access to an Inclusive Excellence Teaching Canvas course, which will host additional resources.
- Support and encouragement from a cohort of early-career scholars.
- Individualized mentorship from the Director of Education and Professional Learning.
- A framed Inclusive Excellence Teaching Certificate at the conclusion of the program, to be awarded at the annual Inclusive Excellence Symposium in September.
Who Can Apply?
Any early-career faculty member or graduate student interested in improving their knowledge of evidence-based inclusive teaching practices and the core knowledge behind effective teaching can apply.
Since we can only accept up to eight participants each semester, the application process involves answering questions about you and your affiliation to USU as well as the following two questions
- Why do you want to participate in the Inclusive Excellence Teaching Certificate program?
- What is one area of teaching that you consider a strength of yours?
You can provide written responses of up to 250 words for each of these questions.
About Dr. Babits
Dr. Chris Babits (he/him/his) is the Director of Education and Professional Learning for Inclusive Excellence. Chris is a trained historian whose research examines the historical development of conversion therapy in the United States. He has taught courses in teacher education, history, intersectional gender studies, psychology, and participatory action research. Chris brings more than 20 years of experience working to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in secondary schools and higher education.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the Inclusive Excellence Teaching Certificate program, please contact Dr. Chris Babits at chris.babits@usu.edu.