Friday, January 16, 2026
9:00 am – 5:00 pm (Pacific Time Zone)
The Spring Teaching Conference is held the Friday before classes begin. Its purpose is to orient graduate students to their GSI role and equip them to begin teaching.
To be credited with conference completion, first-time GSIs must complete the following three requirements:
| Requirement | Description | Due Date | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Asynchronous Pre-Work | Video and quiz offered through Conference bCourses site (~ 1 hour to complete) | Must be completed between January 13 and 15, 2026 (prior to attending the conference on January 16, 2026) | Self enroll in the Spring 2026 Teaching Conference for First-Time GSIs site |
| 2. Interactive Theater | In-person 2.5 hour performance on day of conference | Takes place on Friday, January 16, 2026 | Register for Interactive Theater through Engage |
| 3. Discipline-Cluster Workshop | 3.5 hour workshop offered in person on day of conference. Please consult the Discipline-Cluster Workshops list to see which workshop you should enroll in when you register. Your choice of discipline-cluster workshop should be based on your teaching assignment. | Takes place on Friday, January 16, 2026 | Register for a Discipline-Cluster workshop by selecting a link below: Biological Sciences Computer Science Humanities Social Sciences (quantitative) Engineering Physical Sciences Quantitatives Reading & Comp / Foreign Languages Social Sciences (non-quantitative) Studio Art & Environmental Design |
Conference Schedule: Friday, January 16, 2026
DC Workshop room information will be provided closer to the conference date.
9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Discipline-Cluster Workshops (in person)
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Break
2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Interactive Theater (in person, 155 Dwinelle Hall)
4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – ASE Orientation (in person, 155 Dwinelle Hall)
Please note that in addition to the Teaching Conference, general first-time GSI requirements include:
A. GSI Professional Standards and Ethics Online Course
5 modules with quizzes offered through a dedicated bCourses site.
(~5+ hours to complete)
Must be completed prior to interacting with students (online or in person) in your role as instructor.
Self-enroll in the 2025-2026 Ethics course
B. Departmental Pedagogy Course
A 300-level semester-long pedagogy seminar on teaching in the discipline offered by the GSI’s department.
Must be completed prior to or concurrent with first GSI appointment.
Questions? Please check with your department.
Please contact the GSI Teaching & Resource Center ([email protected] or 510-642-4456) if you have any questions.