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Certificate in Instructional Excellence

Three educators work with pen and paper.

The Certificate in Instructional Excellence provides contract lecturers (CUPE 1 and 2) with opportunities to enhance their teaching and participate in a supportive community of fellow educators. The CIE was developed by the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching  (CELT) in consultation with the Vice-Provost, Faculty Affairs (VPFA) and CUPE 3904 (external link) .

The CIE is divided into two levels:

  • Level 1 is the foundation of the program, addressing topical subjects related to teaching. It is entirely asynchronous and is completed on D2L. Level 1 is required for the teaching assessment waiver, as explained below.
  • Level 2 builds on the skills covered in Level 1, and is designed for strengthening your professional teaching portfolio. Level 2 is currently in development, and more details will be forthcoming.

Teaching Assessment Waiver

Completing Level 1 meets Article 18.2.b of the  (PDF file) CUPE 3904 Unit 1 Collective Agreement 2024-2027, granting a teaching assessment waiver in semesters #4, #5 and #6. The relevant part of the collective agreement is reproduced below:

If a Contract Lecturer completes four to six hours of modules/core teaching development offerings for Contract Lecturers delivered by the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) within the first three semesters they have contracts, with such modules/offerings being a combination of synchronous or asynchronous, then the teaching assessments in semesters #4, #5 and #6 will be waived. If a Contract Lecturer elects the option to complete such CELT modules/offerings they must provide proof of completion to their Chair/Director in advance of the scheduling of teaching assessments in semesters #4, #5 and #6.

A total of six (6) assessments may be conducted or three (3) assessments if a Contract Lecturer completes the four to six hours of CELT modules/offerings.

— Article 18.2.b of CUPE 3904 Unit 1 Collective Agreement 2024–2027 (pages 41–42)

Screenshot of the CIE module as it appears on D2L Brightspace

An screenshot of how the CIE may appear in D2L.

Participating in the CIE

If you are a CUPE 1 or 2 Contract Lecturer with an active contract or a contract that was active within nine months, you should have access to the CIE through D2L. When you log in, it should appear in your "My Courses" list as “CELT - Certificate in Instructional Excellence”.

For more information about the CIE or troubleshooting, please contact askcelt@torontomu.ca