Training & Events

The New Faculty Teaching Academy (NFTA) is tailored to faculty members with zero to three years of teaching experience. The asynchronous portion of the program will be open in Canvas from July 21st to August 11th. Two, in-person sessions, will be held on August 14th and October 16th. OVERVIEW The New Faculty Teaching Academy (NFTA) is a free and optional program designed to enhance teaching skills. NFTA is divided into three focus areas: Organization, Engagement, and Communication. The asynchronous portion of the program allows participants to progress through modules at their own pace. Each module includes flexible, practical assignments to prepare participants for upcoming semesters and onboarding components to support their transition to teaching at MSU. This ensures that participants are equipped with both foundational teaching skills and essential administrative knowledge. In addition to the online modules, participants will attend two face-to-face sessions—one at the start of the semester and a mid-point check-in. These in-person meetings are essential for building community and providing additional support. Attendance and participation in both the online and in-person sessions is required for successful completion of the program. MODULES 1. Organization and Planning: This module provides critical lessons regarding instructional design including course design basics, syllabus creation, and course scheduling. Participants will also learn critical MSU Policies and Procedures for teachers and complete the module by preparing their course syllabus to ensure preparation for teaching in the upcoming semester. 2. Engagement: In this module, participants will learn core classroom strategies that promote student engagement. Topics covered include effective presentation techniques, active learning strategies, and managing classroom dialogue. Participants will complete the module by creating a plan for an early class period that is focused, effective, and engaging. 3. Communication: The final module focuses on building rapport and effective communication. Participants will gain insights into various topics, such as communicating expectations, providing constructive feedback, and efficient grading practices. The module concludes with creating a comprehensive communication plan to establish strong connections. RECOGNITION Faculty who attend and participate in both the online and in-person sessions as well as complete all assignments will be awarded the New Faculty Teaching Academy badge, recognizing their commitment to teaching. These accomplishments will also be celebrated at the annual Teacher Appreciation Luncheon in May. ATTENTION NEW FACULTY: If you can not register for this training, you will need to have your home department request Affiliate Access, which grants your netID access to the MSU systems such as Canvas, myState, and WebEx. Forward this information to your home department. Please follow the instructions below: In order for new faculty to participate in New Faculty Teaching Academy, they will need your assistance in receiving Affiliate Access prior to their official start date, so they can access Canvas, the myState Portal, and Webex (for any optional sessions). This can be done through the Affiliate Access Request eForm. Your timely support in this matter is crucial for their successful enrollment in the program. For more information about Affiliate Access, see the ITS Service Desk: https://servicedesk.msstate.edu/TDClient/45/Portal/Requests/ServiceDet?ID=1311

Open To
Teachers with 0-3 years experience

Location
Online in Canvas

This asynchronous online course introduces instructors to the best practices of online instruction. Successful completion leads to the online teaching certification as well as the Online 101 Digital Badge. Delivered 100% online in Canvas, there will be no live meetings. Please ignore start/end times as the system requires these to be entered.

Open To
faculty, instructors, teaching staff/GA

Location
Online - https://canvas.msstate.edu/

This interactive training course equips Mississippi State University students, faculty, and staff with the knowledge and strategies needed to respond effectively during an active attacker event. Based on the nationally recognized Avoid | Deny | Defend (A.D.D.) model developed by the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center, the course emphasizes proactive decision-making and personal safety. Participants will learn how to: Avoid danger by recognizing threats early and quickly moving to safety, Deny access by securing their location to slow or prevent an attacker's entry, and Defend themselves as a last resort, using physical resistance when necessary. The training includes realistic scenarios, discussion, and practical steps tailored to the university environment. By the end of the session, attendees will feel more confident in their ability to react decisively and protect themselves and others in a critical incident.

Open To
MSU Faculty, Staff and Students

Location
Union Fowlkes Auditorium

This asynchronous online course introduces instructors to the best practices of online instruction. Successful completion leads to the online teaching certification as well as the Online 101 Digital Badge. Delivered 100% online in Canvas, there will be no live meetings. Please ignore start/end times as the system requires these to be entered.

Open To
faculty, instructors, teaching staff/GA

Location
Online - https://canvas.msstate.edu/

Our university is committed to delivering the highest quality instruction, and we believe that a classroom observation can significantly contribute to your growth as an effective teacher while showcasing your dedication to continuous improvement. Participating in a classroom observation offers numerous benefits, including enhancing your teaching effectiveness, fostering greater student engagement, and providing a focused pathway for professional development. By signing up for a classroom observation, we will visit one of your class sessions and offer valuable feedback on your lesson planning and delivery. The CTLs Classroom Observation process includes a pre-observation meeting, an in-class observation, a student survey, and a post-observation discussion. Through this comprehensive approach, we ensure that the observation experience is thorough and constructive. Upon completion of the observation process, you will receive a detailed Observation Report presented in a standardized format. The report will encompass insights from the observation, valuable student feedback, and practical suggestions for future improvements, ultimately assisting you in refining your teaching techniques. If you have any further questions, please visit our webpage: https://www.ctl.msstate.edu/services/teaching-feedback-person-courses. Please disregard the start and end times required by our online registration system. After the registration deadline on September 8th, we will contact registrants to schedule a suitable day and time for the observation.

Open To

Location
Your Classroom

This interactive training course equips Mississippi State University students, faculty, and staff with the knowledge and strategies needed to respond effectively during an active attacker event. Based on the nationally recognized Avoid | Deny | Defend (A.D.D.) model developed by the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center, the course emphasizes proactive decision-making and personal safety. Participants will learn how to: Avoid danger by recognizing threats early and quickly moving to safety, Deny access by securing their location to slow or prevent an attacker's entry, and Defend themselves as a last resort, using physical resistance when necessary. The training includes realistic scenarios, discussion, and practical steps tailored to the university environment. By the end of the session, attendees will feel more confident in their ability to react decisively and protect themselves and others in a critical incident.

Open To
MSU Faculty, Staff and Students

Location
Union Fowlkes Auditorium

This asynchronous online course introduces instructors to the best practices of online instruction. Successful completion leads to the online teaching certification as well as the Online 101 Digital Badge. Delivered 100% online in Canvas, there will be no live meetings. Please ignore start/end times as the system requires these to be entered.

Open To
faculty, instructors, teaching staff/GA

Location
Online - https://canvas.msstate.edu/

This asynchronous online course introduces instructors to the best practices of online instruction. Successful completion leads to the online teaching certification as well as the Online 101 Digital Badge. Delivered 100% online in Canvas, there will be no live meetings. Please ignore start/end times as the system requires these to be entered.

Open To
faculty, instructors, teaching staff/GA

Location
Online - https://canvas.msstate.edu/

Southern winters can be unpredictable—and when cold weather hits Mississippi, even a light freeze can cause major disruptions. Winter is Coming: Prep Tips for the South is a seasonal preparedness course designed to help Mississippi State University students, faculty, and staff get ready for winter weather with practical, Southern-specific tips. Participants will learn: How to prepare your home, dorm, or office for freezing temperatures What to include in a cold-weather emergency kit Staying safe during power outages, icy roads, and campus closures How MSU communicates winter weather updates and where to find reliable information Tips for winterizing your vehicle and planning ahead for travel Whether it’s your first Southern winter or your fifteenth, this course will help you stay safe, warm, and ready—no snow shovel required.

Open To
MSU Faculty, Staff and Students

Location
Union Fowlkes Auditorium