CFAM (Caltech Future Faculty and Mentors, formerly known as CPET) is a group of graduate students and postdocs dedicated to improving our own teaching skills and helping others to do the same. CFAM is part of the Caltech Center for Teaching, Learning, and Outreach (CTLO), and each year we host quarterly seminars and workshops by the some of the best STEM professors in Southern California on topics related to higher education. We also host a quarterly discussion group on interesting and emerging fields in higher education and offer two certificate programs in university teaching, to help STEM graduate students and postdocs become knowledgeable and effective future higher education faculty.
CFAM Certificate Programs CFAM offers two certificate programs, the Certificate of Interest and the Certificate of Practice in University Teaching. If you are interested in participating in either certificate program, please check out our Certificate Page and contact us at [email protected]! Important: Please note that the CFAM Certificates in University Teaching are ONLY available for currently enrolled Caltech graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. These certificates are neither recognized as nor affiliated with any certifications related to PreK-12 teaching in the state of California or elsewhere.
NEW FOR POSTDOCS! The Postdoc Pre-Faculty Pedagogy Preparation Program (5P) is designed to help familiarize and prepare you for the teaching-related aspects of your role as a future faculty member, whether that is at a large research-focused university, a small teaching-focused college, or anything in-between. 5P consists of five components listed below. Please contact the CTLO ([email protected]) with questions or for enrollment information.
Pedagogy: Introduction to STEM university teaching through coursework on foundational principles and strategies. Complete either 1. E110: Principles of University Teaching and Learning in STEM, 2. "Transforming Your Research Into Teaching" (TYRIT) AND "How Learning Works" workshop series, or 3. Online courses "An Introduction to Evidence-Based Undergraduate STEM Teaching" PLUS either "Advancing Learning Through Evidence-Based STEM Teaching" or "Inclusive STEM Teaching Project".
Practice: Lead a guest lecture/workshop using what you learned in "Pedagogy", under the observation of a CTLO staff member.
Project: Incorporate what you learned in "Pedagogy" into an independent project -- Create an annotated full course syllabus OR design and lead a workshop on a topic of your choice.
Professional Planning: Prepare for your career search by attending workshops/panels on topics such as teaching careers or writing teaching statements.
Portfolio: Create a teaching portfolio to showcase who you are as an instructor.
CFAM Discussion Groups CFAM holds a quarterly Discussion Group where CFAM community members read about and discuss interesting and emerging topics in the field of higher education with the aim of developing our teaching knowledge and skills for our future positions as educators in academia, industry, and beyond. Specific articles and reviews will be emailed to the CFAM mailing list and all other participants one week prior to meeting.
CFAM Events As seminar speakers, dates, and topics are solidified, they will be listed on the main CTLO webpage. Event announcements will also be sent out to our mailing list.
CFAM Mailing List Interested in getting involved with CFAM? Please sign up for the CFAM mailing list to learn about upcoming seminars, workshops, and other opportunities offered through CFAM. Please email [email protected] to be manually added to the mailing list if the previous link does not work for you.
