CSM TEP Teaching Excellence Program

The Office of Faculty Development (OFD) is excited to bring you the CSM Teaching Excellence Program (CSM TEP). This comprehensive faculty development program is designed to support educators at every stage of their teaching careers, from novice to expert, and to align with OFD's strategic plans. This is a unique opportunity for educators to enhance their teaching skills through an engaging, interactive program tailored to the needs of today’s learners. 

CSM TEP features three distinct tracks:

  • Track I: Teaching Fundamentals — For novice educators or those looking to refresh fundamental teaching skills
  • Track II: Advancing Educators — For educators transitioning from novice to expert
    • Classroom Educator Option — Geared toward classroom teaching
    • Clinician Educator Option — Focused on bedside and clinical teaching
  • Track III: Teacher Leadership — For educators advancing into leadership roles

Applications

  • Applications for the various tracks open and close throughout the year. Please see relevant dates in the CSM TEP Track Details section below.

Please review the information below if you are interested in applying to the program in the future.

Who should apply?

We are seeking passionate educators involved in teaching at the undergraduate, postgraduate, or graduate levels who are eager to refine their teaching skills and inspire learners.

Why apply?

  • Grow as an Educator
    Gain tools and strategies to teach with confidence, create meaningful learning experiences, and address the evolving needs of today’s learners.
  • Build Connections
    Join a supportive network of educators and access longitudinal coaching and mentoring for ongoing growth.
  • Earn Recognition
    Upon completion of any track, you’ll receive a certificate of achievement, signifying your commitment to excellence in teaching and professional growth.

Are you in Family Medicine?

Another option for faculty members in the Department of Family Medicine is the CSM TEP Family Medicine — Foundational Teaching Skills Program. Learn more by visiting their website or by contacting them at fmfacdev@ucalgary.ca.

CSM TEP Track Details

  1. Program Overview

    CSM TEP Track I: Teaching Fundamentals

    • Who is it for?
      Faculty new to teaching or those wanting to refresh and solidify foundational teaching skills
    • Format:
      In-person, interactive sessions
    • Schedule:
      Four half-day sessions (total: 19 hours)
      • Introduction to Adult Learning
        April 24, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.
      • Teaching Basics
        May 1, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.
      • Teacher as a Professional
        May 8, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.
      • Putting It to Practice
        May 15, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

  2. Topics Covered

    • Principles of cognitive load and adult learning
    • Learning theories for teaching success
    • Teaching with everyone in mind
    • Effective teaching strategies to engage learners
    • Setting the stage for effective learning: Preparing your space and setting up teaching experiences
    • Giving and inviting feedback and teaching reflection
    • Teaching with technology for impactful learning
    • Supporting struggling students and understanding accommodations
    • Professionalism and communication
    • Navigating your teacher journey and building your professional identity as a teacher
    • Peer-to-peer teaching

  1. Program Overview

    CSM TEP Track I: Teaching Fundamentals

    • Who is it for?
      Faculty new to teaching or those wanting to refresh and solidify foundational teaching skills
    • Format:
      In-person, interactive sessions
    • Schedule:
      Four half-day sessions (total: 19 hours)
      • Introduction to Adult Learning
        September 24, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.
      • Teaching Basics
        October 1, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.
      • Teacher as a Professional
        October 8, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.
      • Putting It to Practice
        October 15, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

  2. Topics Covered

    • Principles of cognitive load and adult learning
    • Learning theories for teaching success
    • Teaching with everyone in mind
    • Effective teaching strategies to engage learners
    • Setting the stage for effective learning: Preparing your space and setting up teaching experiences
    • Giving and inviting feedback and teaching reflection
    • Teaching with technology for impactful learning
    • Supporting struggling students and understanding accommodations
    • Professionalism and communication
    • Navigating your teacher journey and building your professional identity as a teacher
    • Peer-to-peer teaching
Apply Now!

  1. Program Overview

    CSM TEP Track II: Advancing Educators (Clinician Educator)

    • Who is it for?
      Faculty with teaching experience and want to advance in their effectiveness or those wanting to refresh and solidify foundational teaching skills.
    • Format:
      In-person, interactive sessions.
    • Schedule:
      Four half-day sessions (total: 19 hours)
      • Clinical Teaching 101
        January 8, 2027 | 8:00 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.
      • Assessing Your Learner
        January 15, 2027 | 8:00 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.
      • Teaching Challenges
        January 22, 2027 | 8:00 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.
      • Advancing Your Teaching Strategies
        January 29, 2027 | 8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

  2. Topics Covered

    • Intro to UME/PGME
    • Cognitive bias and clinical reasoning
    • Bedside teaching
    • Intro to CBME, EPAs and programmatic assessment
    • Diagnosing clinical reasoning challenges
    • Giving difficult feedback
    • Writing effective narratives
    • Teaching procedures
    • Introduction to SIM
    • Mistreatment in the teaching/learning environment (how to recognize, how to support reporters and respondents)
    • Learner in difficulty
    • Self-assessment: creating a personalized clinical teaching development plan

  1. Program Overview

    CSM TEP Track II: Advancing Educators (Classroom Educator)

    • Who is it for?
      Faculty with teaching experience and want to advance in their effectiveness or those wanting to refresh and solidify foundational teaching skills.
    • Format:
      In-person, interactive sessions.
    • Schedule:
      Four half-day sessions (total: 18 hours)
      • Classroom Teaching 101
        November 6, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.
      • Igniting Your Teaching Strategies
        November 13, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.
      • Assessment and Navigating Challenges
        November 20, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.
      • Facing Complexity and Advancing Your Teaching Practice
        November 27, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

  2. Topics Covered

    • Presentation skills
    • Course/curriculum design
    • Community of practice, resources, career development
    • Writing learning objectives
    • Flipped classroom
    • Seminar and small group teaching
    • Giving challenging feedback
    • Designing assessments
    • Teaching online
    • Supporting the learner in difficulty
    • AI in the classroom
    • Mistreatment in the teaching/learning environment (how to recognize it; how to support reporters and responders)
    • Accommodations

Program Requirements

  • A commitment to attending a minimum of 80% of sessions for each track
  • Completion of one reflective assignment and one micro-teaching video
  • Active participation and engagement with your cohort

Frequently Asked Questions

Due to limited spots, selection is a competitive process. The Office of Faculty Development carefully evaluates each application based on the following criteria:

  • Commitment to teaching, education, and career development
  • Current faculty position and teaching responsibilities
  • Emerging teaching needs within the faculty (including MD, PhD, and Veterinary Medicine)
  • Alignment with the CSM strategic plan and institutional priorities
  • Representation from diverse departments across the faculty
  • Breadth and depth of teaching and professional experience
  • Consideration for applicants previously placed on a waitlist

We recognize that transitioning from the previous CSM TEP modules to the new track-based curriculum may have disrupted your plans. Please contact us to discuss how you can align your previous learning with the updated program and continue pursuing your teaching goals.

Yes, completion of Track I: Teaching Fundamentals is a prerequisite for advancing to Tracks II or III. This ensures all participants have a strong foundation in essential teaching skills. Exceptions will be limited, but if you believe your prior training has equipped you with equivalent foundational skills, please reach out to us to discuss your qualifications and explore the possibility of advancing directly to Track II.

CSM TEP Track II (Advancing Educators) will launch in 2025 and and Track III (Teacher Leadership) in 2026.

CSM TEP Facilitators

Are you a CSM TEP facilitator and require planning assistance?

Please fill out the form below to request facilitation planning assistance.

If the details of your questions or feedback are too complex to describe in writing, please check the box below to let us know you would like to book a meeting:

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