Educators Portfolio
The Mission Statement of the Society of Teaching Scholars at the University of Florida, College of Medicine is: To honor and foster teaching and educational scholarship. Each year, the Society of Teaching Scholars (STS) anticipates accepting up to two new members deserving of this special recognition and honor. Applicants to the STS are asked to prepare an Educator's Portfolio as a vital part of the application process, in which they illustrate and emphasize their unique strengths and contributions. This portfolio is a collection of materials documenting educational scholarship, both in terms of productivity and quality. It consists of 4 major sections, each of which represents a primary Goal of the Society of Teaching Scholars:
GOAL 1 (20%)
To provide a forum to recognize and reward College of Medicine faculty who have demonstrated excellence in teaching and commitment to the formation of physicians and scientists.
Supporting Materials for Goal 1 SHOULD include:
- Brief (1-2 page) description of your philosophy of education (ie, your thoughts about how students learn, how you help them to learn and help to achieve their transformation, as well as your views regarding the characteristics of a good teacher)
- Documentation of teaching involvement and evaluation by learners and/or peers (such evaluation may be on a local, statewide or national scale)
- Brief (1-2 page) description of your plans and long-term goals as an educator and potential Teaching Scholar (ie, what membership in STS would mean to you, as well as how the Society and our College of Medicine may benefit)
GOAL 2 (40%)
To provide an incentive for the faculty member's professional development as an educational scholar and role model.
Supporting Materials for Goal 2 MUST include:
- Evidence of EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP, by which you show how your work and contributions (ie, teaching / presentations / publications / research / program development) have had a meaningful impact on others (on a local, statewide, or national scale). NOTE- We are looking for evidence of disseminating information that YOU share with a larger audience!
Supporting Materials for Goal 2 should ALSO include:
- Description/documentation of your growth as a teacher and learner in your field through experience (ie, synthesis of "lessons learned"), attendance at educational courses or local/national meetings, publications, or other developmental activities in your area of teaching
- Listing honors received/awards won (with brief description of the meaning/impact these honors/awards have had for you)
GOAL 3 (20%)
To identify a cadre of recognized experts to advise the College of Medicine on ways to enhance its educational mission, as well as to serve as mentors/role models to junior faculty, residents, and students.
Supporting Materials for Goal 3 SHOULD include:
- Description of your advisor/mentor activities
- Illustration of the impact your advisor/mentor activities has had on learners (ie, one or more 1-2 page letters written by advisees or learners)
- Evidence of your role in constructing/implementing valid assessment of learner performance, with illustration of how you provide feedback to students, residents, junior faculty, or peers on their performance
GOAL 4 (20%)
To demonstrate the College of Medicine's commitment to high quality teaching and learning, plus continuous quality improvement process of the educational program.
Supporting Materials for Goal 4 SHOULD include:
- Evidence of curriculum development/instructional design in which you played a key role or held primary responsibility (ie, how your work impacted/improved student learning)
- Description/documentation of your role/skills in educational administration (ie, leadership roles or committee involvement charged with the planning and/or evaluation of education projects)
NOTE #1 - We in the Society of Teaching Scholars are happy to assist you in any way we can if at ANY time you have questions regarding the preparation of your application Portfolio, or regarding the application / acceptance process itself. Please feel free to ask!
NOTE #2 - In the event that you are not admitted to the Society of Teaching Scholars this year, your Portfolio will be kept ON FILE for up to 3 years. All you would need to do to reapply for membership to STS over the next 3 years would be to submit a letter requesting reconsideration of your application, and to include an ADDENDUM with any updated/additional material you would like to submit to support your case.
