University of North Texas 
Graduate Student Support Initiative
LEEF's mission is to ensure UNT educators’ well-being by supporting their growth as they support our students. As part of this, one of our current focuses is on finding innovate ways to support our graduate educators.
The Need for Graduate Educator Support
"I felt like I was being tortured and, worse yet, that I was torturing [my] students. My limited perspective at the time, based entirely on my experience as a student, was that my job was to stand in front of the classroom, an irregularly shaped pentagon that reflected my awkwardness, and fill students with necessary information."
This quoted student's experience was the direct result of a lack of support as she developed as an educator. Her experience is all too common across higher education, as preparing and supporting graduate students’ teaching practice is not a priority in many university departments. This lack of support can occur for many reasons: failure to appoint someone to direct those programs that rely on graduate student educators; lack of faculty to fill those positions; lack of funding; limits on graduate students’ time, etc.
The goal of the Teaching Hub’s Graduate Student Support Initiative is to provide that level of support that will enable our graduate student educators to thrive and grow as they develop their skills.
Programs
Formerly known as GSTEP, SEED is a professional development program designed specifically
for UNT graduate students and postdoctoral scholars to develop their teaching knowledge,
skills, and self-efficacy. Through flexible, guided learning experiences, participants
explore evidence-based fundamental teaching practices, create professional teaching
materials, receive feedback from experienced educators, and build skills that transfer
directly to future instructional roles. Participants can choose from flexible program
pathways, earn a certificate, and build teaching materials that strengthen their CVs
and professional portfolios. No previous teaching experience is required!
Applications for the Fall 2026 cohort are due August 31.
Teaching can be both rewarding and challenging, and every teacher needs someone with whom to share those experiences. Dr. Kathryn Raign will hold office hours each week for graduate student instructors to come in and chat about any challenges they are facing in the classroom:
Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Sage Hall 165
To schedule an appointment, click here.
Join us for a collaborative support workshop designed to give graduate students dedicated
time and space to work alongside peers, ask questions, and make progress with guidance
from supportive faculty and staff. Whether you’re working through a project, planning
your next steps, or simply looking for additional resources, this workshop provides
a welcoming environment to connect, collaborate, and get the support you need. Dinner
and refreshments will be provided, so come ready to work, connect, and recharge!
Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. | Sage Hall 167
Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. | Sage Hall 167
- September 10
- October 8
- November 12
Graduate students often need to provide evidence of their teaching effectiveness,
so Dr. Kathryn Raign will do observations on a request basis and provide both a written
and face-to-face response. After completing an observation, Dr. Raign will complete
a written report that she will share with the student when they meet.
To schedule an observation, email Kathryn.Raign@unt.edu.
Want More?
Because we are an ecosystem, LEEF is constantly changing and growing. We are also listening because we can’t meet your needs if we don’t know what they are. Is there a form of support we aren’t offering? Do you have an idea you’d like to share? Please let us know at learning.ecosystem@unt.edu.