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Teaching Dossier

The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) describes a teaching dossier, also known as a teaching portfolio, as ‘a summary of an academic’s major teaching accomplishments and strengths’ (2007, p. 5).  It is a space to document and showcase evidence of the things you have done in your teaching role.

The three main parts of a teaching dossier, as outlined in the Ontario Tech University's Teaching Dossier Guide 2023  (2023, pp 1-4), are listed below. 

1. Approach to Teaching

  • Statement of Teaching Philosophy
  • Teaching strategies
  • Self-evaluation of teaching and student learning
  • Professional development of teaching and learning

2. Teaching Responsibilities and Contributions

  • Courses taught
  • Supervision
  • Teaching awards and nominations
  • Teaching related contributions
  • Curriculum development and/or development of innovative teaching and learning materials
  • Research and publications related to teaching

3. Appendices

Best Practices

  • Multiple course summaries
  • Student feedback survey reports
  • Documentation of other teaching feedback
  • Start working on your dossier as soon as possible. It can take more time than expected to compile the information that is included in a teaching dossier.
  • Keep a folder on your computer to save various artefacts related to your teaching practice that will serve as reminders or could be appended to your dossier. A running document of achievements and related activities can be included in your folder.
  • Engage in professional development opportunities which can hp you to acquire the vocabulary to describe some of the things you are already doing in your teaching practice and also gain new insights. Past participants of the Certificate in University Teaching, for example, have shared that this program gave them ideas for revising their teaching philosophy statements.
  • Connect with a colleague who has already developed a teaching dossier to ask about any strategies that worked well for them.
  • Contact your Faculty Office to confirm exactly how your teaching dossier should be presented.

Sample Teaching Philosophy Presentation 

Ontario Tech University Teaching Dossier Samples

  • Dr. Rajen Akalu, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Business and Information Technology 
  • Dr. Ruth Milman, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science

Additional Resources

References