Mission
The mission of the Center for Teaching, as approved during the process of its creation, is to "promote and support efforts to enhance instruction at The University of Iowa." In pursuit of this mission, the Center has established four overlapping goals. We strive to:
1. Support and promote the development of teaching skills.
2. Strengthen the culture of teaching.
3. Serve as a symbol of the University's commitment to teaching.
4. Influence policy discussions in ways that support the development of an excellent teaching and learning environment.
Policies
All services of the Center are provided at no cost and on a voluntary basis to members of the University community.
- Confidentiality - All Center consultations are confidential matters between the Center staff and the client. In particular, the staff of the Center will not discuss any aspect of a particular consultation with those charged with the evaluation of teaching performance of the client. Clients may waive the confidentiality of their consultations in writing.
- Voluntary Participation - The Center staff are available to work with any member of the University community who teaches. The initiative, however, must always come directly from the client.
- Eligibility - In general all members of the University community are eligible to use the Center. Requests from others will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
History
In 1994, the University of Iowa Council on Teaching proposed the creation of a Center for Teaching to support and encourage excellence in teaching at Iowa. Endorsed by the Faculty Senate, the proposal was approved by the Board of Regents in February 1995. The Center opened its doors in August 1996 and is currently located at 4039 Main Library.
Faculty Fellows have included Associate Professor and Chair of Rhetoric Mary Trachsel (2001-02) and Associate Professor of Marketing & Organizations Ken Brown (2005-06).