Engineering Learning Fellows Program
Overview
Are you a faculty member looking to enhance your teaching practice and contribute to a culture of transformative teaching and learning at Mines? The Trefny Engineering Learning Fellows (ELF) Program is a yearlong, application-based program designed to support you in developing effective and innovative pedagogical practices. Throughout the program, EL Fellows work their way through the Engineering Learning framework together with their colleagues and mentors (Engineering Learning Mentorship (ELM) Fellows) to develop a teaching portfolio that demonstrates excellence, reflection, and growth in teaching. This portfolio includes a refined learner-centered course design, a targeted teaching innovation, a collection of student feedback showcasing teaching excellence, an Early Course Feedback report from Trefny staff, and reflections which speak to teaching and learning growth throughout the program. The ELF program offers a variety of learning pathways, including two retreats, mentor group meetings, workshops on emerging topics in teaching and learning, asynchronous experiences, interactions with student consultants, and ongoing support from Trefny staff. Upon successful completion of the program, EL Fellows will receive a “Learning Engineer” Certificate that they can include in future promotion and professional portfolios.
Eligibility
All full-time faculty are welcome to apply for the ELF Program. We typically recommend this program for faculty looking to develop their teaching practice, design a new course, or set a path toward meeting Mines’ promotion and tenure expectations. If you are looking to further your leadership and mentorship at Mines, we recommend exploring the Engineering Learning Mentorship (ELM) Fellowship to determine which opportunity feels right for you. Because EL Fellows are encouraged to implement a new teaching intervention in their course, we ask that prospective applicants plan to teach at least one course during the Spring term of their fellowship year.
Compensation
EL Fellows receive a stipend of $3,000 throughout the year of their fellowship. Upon successful completion of the program, EL Fellows also receive a “Learning Engineer” Certificate that they can include in future promotion and professional portfolios.
Outcomes
By participating in the ELF Program, you will…
Develop a learner-centered course design that aligns course learning outcomes, assessment methods, and instructional approaches that support students and their engagement.
Implement a teaching innovation that incorporates the characteristics of effective teaching.
Apply feedback from students and peers to improve teaching effectiveness.
Synthesize personal approaches to teaching, evidence-based practices, feedback received, and experiences from the ELF program into a written statement for inclusion in professional portfolios.
Curate a teaching portfolio that demonstrates professional reflection, growth, and innovation in teaching and learning.
Contribute to a community of mentors, students, and faculty peers to strengthen the culture of teaching and learning at Mines.
Time Commitment
EL Fellows are asked to dedicate approximately 20 hours per term to the program, comprising:
Synchronous and Community Experiences
- Attend and participate in our Fall and Spring EL Fellows Retreats.
- Attend monthly mentor group meetings with your ELM Fellow to develop and refine your portfolio materials.
- Engage in at least one Trefny event each semester (opportunities will vary from term to term).
- Receive at least one Early Course Feedback session with a Trefny Faculty Developer.
- Receive at least one peer observation to be conducted by your ELM Fellow.
- Receive at least one student observation to be conducted by a student consultant.
- Present your teaching innovation at our End of the Year Celebration.
- [Optional] Conduct/receive additional observations for/from your peers and ELM Fellow.
Asynchronous Development
- Complete asynchronous readings and tasks prior to mentor group meetings.
- Draft and revise portfolio materials (course designs, teaching innovations, and written statements).
Deliverables
Over the course of your fellowship year, you will develop a reflective teaching portfolio that includes the following components:
An Original Course (Re)design…
that includes specific and measurable course learning outcomes, aligned and authentic assessments, supportive course policies, a statement on classroom community, and a sample lesson plan.
A personal Engineering Learning Statement…
that reflects your unique perspectives, experiences, values, and skills as they relate to teaching and learning; synthesizes your experience in the program and demonstrates growth through tangible examples; and outlines future goals and teaching commitments.
A Teaching Innovation Presentation…
that describes a new teaching approach or intervention developed over the course of the fellowship year. This presentation will include reflections as to why you pursued this intervention, how you went about implementing the approach, and student feedback which speaks to the impact of your teaching change.
A Teaching Feedback Dossier…
that includes student and peer feedback from the following sources:
- One Early Course Feedback Report, to be conducted by a Trefny Faculty Developer.
- One Classroom Observation, to be conducted by your ELM Fellow.
- One Student Observation, to be conducted by a student consultant.
- *[Optional] One Peer Observation, to be conducted by a fellow EL Fellow.
*Completing a peer observation during the ELF program also satisfies requirements for the peer observation program.
[Optional] Additional teaching highlights, course materials, and student / peer and mentor feedback which speak to excellence in teaching and learning.
Application
All full-time academic faculty at Mines who have not yet received an EL Fellowship are eligible to apply. The application consists of a series of short responses, as well as submission of an updated CV. Applications are due Friday, May 16th, 2025. Fellows will be notified in early June.
If you have additional questions about the ELF Program, please reach out to cartermoulton@mines.edu.