Why Participate
Grow as an Educator
Strengthen your work as an educator through evidence-informed learning and reflection.
Pursue Professional Goals
Make progress on meaningful professional development goals tied to your role and interests.
Learn with a Community
Connect with colleagues across departments, disciplines, and campuses through shared learning and discussion.
Apply What You Learn
Put new ideas into practice and reflect on what works in your setting.
Program at a Glance
Application Deadline
Applications open in the spring and are due May 1.
Acceptance Timeline
Applicants are notified of acceptance in June.
Schedule
Program activities take place throughout the academic year, from September to June, and are typically scheduled based on cohort members’ availability.
Learning Format
The program employs cohort-based learning with five live sessions and asynchronous activities throughout the academic year.
Participation Formats
Live sessions are offered in person and virtually via Zoom.
Time Commitment
Live sessions are 90 minutes long and held during business hours. Participants complete asynchronous activities between sessions and typically set aside time throughout the year to work toward their goals.
Assessment
There are no graded assignments. The program’s aim is to support participants in achieving their individualized goals.
Summer Communication
Accepted participants are expected to monitor their email from June to August as cohort schedules and program logistics are finalized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is the Educator Academy For?
Any WSU College of Medicine faculty and staff members who self-identify as an educator and want to continue growing in that role can participate. Seasoned educators, novices, and everyone in between are welcome.
Do I Need Teaching Experience?
No. The program is designed for educators at all stages of experience.
How Will the Cohort Be Chosen?
Each year’s cohort is selected with help from an advisory group of faculty, staff, and graduates of previous Educator Academy cohorts.
Can I Participate Virtually?
Yes. Participants may attend in person or via Zoom.
What Kinds of Goals Do Participants Work On?
Participants pursue goals that are meaningful to their role and educational work. Examples may include improving teaching practices, redesigning a learning activity, developing an assessment strategy, strengthening feedback skills, advancing an educational project, or exploring a new area of educator development.
Will My Program Experience Be the Same as What Previous Participants Describe?
While the core structure and goals of the program remain consistent, the program evolves from year to year based on participant feedback and ongoing evaluation, so each cohort’s experience may be slightly different.
The Educator Academy came at a meaningful point in my career. After years of teaching in a different field, I was navigating how to apply that experience in my new role here at the College of Medicine. The Academy gave me space to reflect, reconnect with my educator identity, and explore new ways to support our medical students. As someone still fairly new to the college, it also helped me feel more connected to the broader academic community and better understand how colleagues across the college support our students.
Heidi Doolittle, learning specialist
The Educator Academy has helped me enhance my teaching skills with others in a supportive and diverse environment.
Dawn Kopp, MD, MPH, vice chair, obstetrics and gynecology
The entire Educator Academy experience was top-notch. It was flexible enough that I could easily incorporate it into my existing workload, and it provided both the push and the resources to develop advanced skills. I loved learning alongside colleagues from all across the College of Medicine, and I look forward to the extended network of peers I can collaborate with in new and exciting ways.
Jade Stellmon, clinical and rural partnerships administrator
Apply to the Educator Academy
Applications for the Current Cohort Are Closed.
Applications for the Educator Academy are accepted annually and open in the spring. Updates are shared through the Office for Faculty Affairs and Continuing Professional Development newsletter and college newsletter.