Teaching as a Collective Endeavor: Lessons from the CBU CTL Mentorship Collective

Abstract

We will explore how the Cape Breton University Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) utilized a mentorship collective model to foster community and enhance expertise within a small but dedicated team focused on teaching and learning. The initiative evolved out of both a teaching chair program, a cornerstone for supporting innovative teaching practices, as well as ‘teaching triangles’ with small groups of faculty providing feedback in a structured format. Our aim with the Mentorship Collective is to provide participants with access to a collective learning environment where early career and more established faculty can simultaneously experience both the mentee and mentor role. New faculty seek out the services of the CTL and are eager to develop networks and supports across the institution, and this program allows the established CTL clientele to “increase their expertise and better serve mentees while development of a community of practice is taking place” (Lari & Barton, 2017).