Partnering for Academic Student Success (PASS)

2022-2023 Invitation for Applications

Partnership between the Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation (CTSI) and Librarians at the University of Toronto

Librarians from all 3 campuses are invited to submit applications for the following CTSI and Library collaboration.

Initiative Title: Partnering for Academic Student Success (PASS)
Time: .2 FTE (equivalent of 1 day/week) secondment*
Location: Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation (CTSI), RobartsLibrary 4th Floor, 130 St. George Street
Period: June 1, 2022 – May 31, 2023

This information is also available as PDF.

Introduction

The mandate of the Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation (CTSI) is to provide leadership in teaching and learning at the University of Toronto and provide support for pedagogy and pedagogy-driven instructional technology for all teaching staff and teaching assistants across the university’s campuses and divisions. CTSI has been partnering with various units at the University of Toronto to more effectively realize this mandate. The goal of this current partnership initiative with librarians at the University of Toronto is to support librarians to engage more deeply with instructors about teaching and learning. Through this collaboration the partners focus on understanding and bridging the issues faced by instructors as they work to support learners within classroom learning environments.

Purpose

To create a partnership between professionals engaged in supporting instructor pedagogical development, including support in the integration of information literacy and use of library resources. The overall goal is to increase capacity for integrative learning and academic excellence within classrooms.

The goals of the CTSI-Library partnership include

  • Collaborating in existing CTSI programmatic initiatives (i.e., New Faculty Orientation, Tune in to Teaching series, Course Design Institute, workshops, symposia, resources for faculty, etc.) to focus on instructional practices that can create optimal learning experiences for students
  • Refining and informing sustainable, scalable best practices in faculty-librarian collaboration and identifying challenges that influence collaboration between librarians and faculty
  • Advancing the focus on learning outcomes and the integration of information literacy to influence systemic changes at the course, program and institutional levels to enhance student success
  • Identifying and developing new initiatives to advance faculty development and increase effective learning opportunities for students within classrooms
  • Continuing to build a strong partnership between CTSI and U of T Libraries
  • Facilitating instructional excellence and transfer of teaching expertise throughout the University community

Dispositions, skills and experience required of secondees in this partnership

  • Excellent interpersonal, teamwork and communication skills
  • Flexibility and openness in developing new approaches to collaboration in support of instructional improvement
  • Leveraging current initiatives to develop innovative approaches to integrate information literacy and effective pedagogical approaches into the instructional repertoires of instructors at the University of Toronto
  • Understanding of both student and instructor experiences, including direct liaison work with instructors
  • Expertise in advancing faculty and student learning and a desire to continue professional growth in this area
  • Willingness to collaborate with CTSI staff and individuals, units, departments and divisions at the University of Toronto in the further development of teaching and learning initiatives, programs and services that align with the mandate of CTSI

Secondee expectations include

  1. Regular communication with home library supervisor and relevant library committees regarding specific activities and application of ideas to home library/campus.
  2. Ongoing communication with CTSI Director and staff, including attendance at regular CTSI staff meetings and participation in selected CTSI initiatives.
  3. Building strategic relationships between CTSI and Library partner units through participation in CTSI-led projects and initiatives.
  4. Incorporation of specific goals related to the secondment into librarian’s annual performance activities. Identify the basis of the evaluation and the timelines for activities to coincide with the annual performance assessment.
  5. Contribute to the PASS team’s final written report summarizing the overall achievements of the secondment team and providing reflections and suggestions for next steps. Included in the report is a statement of value to the librarian, the library, and CTSI.

Application

Librarians from all 3 campuses are invited to submit applications of interest to participate in PASS for a one-year secondment at .2 FTE. For this current cycle, up to 3 librarians will be selected.

Applications should include

  1. A 250-word statement of interest including how the secondment could enhance your professional development and further the goals and activities of CTSI and U of T Libraries (including the librarian’s home unit).
  2. Supervisor’s indication of support

Interested librarians should submit their application by Monday, April 18th to Alison Gibbs, Director, Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation, alison.gibbs@utoronto.ca.

If you have questions about the administration of the PASS program, please contact Julie Hannaford, j.hannaford@utoronto.ca.

If you would like to learn more about the possibilities that the program offers, Heather Buchansky (heather.buchansky@utoronto.ca) and Glyneva Bradley-Ridout (glyneva.bradley.ridout@utoronto.ca) are available to chat. They are both past PASS program secondees and would be glad to answer questions and share their experiences.

* Seconded librarians attend and participate in regular meetings at CTSI. There is some flexibility in how the remaining hours are allocated.