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Passport to Great Teaching Program

Passport to Great Teaching is a professional development program that lets you choose which path to travel as you earn teaching certificates. Your certificates can be added to your teaching portfolio, CV or LinkedIn profile. To earn a certificate, attend “core” activities and then complete several “electives” such as:

  • Conferences
  • Workshops
  • Faculty Learning Communities
  • Teaching Beyond the Podium Podcast

University of Florida faculty, staff, TAs, post-docs, and graduate students are all welcome to participate.

Start Your Journey Here

  1. If you don’t have a Passport Portal account, create one using your Gatorlink.
  2. Find teaching workshops and events on the Events & Workshops page.
  3. Register for workshops and one of the Passport to Great Teaching Certificates on the Passport portal.
  4. To stay up-to-date on CTE news, subscribe to the CTE listserv. 

For other questions, email Zaina DeLaney. For the full FAQ please scroll to the end of this page.

Passport to Great Teaching Certificates

There are 9 active Passport to Great Teaching certificates to choose from. Expand the drop-down options below to view certificate requirements and instructions.

Overview

The Artificial Intelligence in Teaching and Learning Certificate empowers faculty to seamlessly integrate AI technologies into their educational practices. Participants will delve into state-of-the-art AI tools, address ethical considerations, and adopt innovative teaching strategies to boost student engagement and learning outcomes. This comprehensive program features hands-on workshops, collaborative projects, and reflective activities, equipping educators to spearhead the future of AI-driven education. 

Miles Required: 1000  

Core Activities: 400 miles  

At least 4 of the core activities are required. They are available through the Passport Portal.

1. Know & Understand: AI Fundamentals | 100 miles  

2. Use & Apply AI: Applying AI in Your Course Assignments | 100 miles  

3. Evaluate & Create AI: Assessing with AI | 100 miles  

4. AI Ethics, Academic Integrity, and Accessibility in Your Course | 100 miles  

5. Any combination of workshops from the Getting Started with AI Series | 50 miles per workshop

Elective Activities: 600 miles  

Choose any activities listed below to complete your remaining miles. They are available on the Events and Workshops page.  

1. Synchronous F2F or Online Workshops (Artificial Intelligence Category) | 100 miles each  

2. Asynchronous Workshops (Artificial Intelligence Category) | 100-500 miles each  

  • After attending a workshop, submit a reflection in the Passport Portal by clicking on Submit Activity and selecting the name of the workshop in the drop-down list  
  • Be sure to select Artificial Intelligence as your category when submitting your reflection  

Overview

The Faculty Learning Community Certificate is awarded to faculty, staff, teaching assistants, graduate students and postdocs who participate in a Faculty Learning Community (FLC). FLCs are peer-led groups that engage in an active, collaborative, year–long program structured to provide encouragement, support, and reflection.

Requirements

  • Learn more and register for an FLC by visiting the FLC webpage
  • Attend at least 8 scheduled meetings
  • Attend the “Kickoff” and “Wrap-up” sessions
  • Propose and construct your “Big Idea Project”

Overview

The Great Teaching Certificate allows you to create your own learning path! Explore great teaching strategies and discover tips and tricks from other UF instructors by attending workshops, conferences, and more!

Miles Required: 1000

Choose any combination of the activities listed below to complete your 1000 miles. 

  1. Teaching Beyond the Podium Activities | 10 miles each
  2. Synchronous F2F or Online Workshops | 100 miles each or Asynchronous Workshops | 100-500 miles each
  3. UF Conferences | 250 miles
  4. Teaching Excellence Academy (TEA) | 500-600 miles
    In order to earn all 600 miles and the TEA Badge, you must:
    • Attend 5 out of 6 sessions
    • Complete all prep activities and portfolio assignments
    • Submit your completion badge to the Passport Portal as a reflection

Note: FYFTA/TEA completers Spring 2025 and prior – 500 miles; TEA completers Summer 2025 to current – 600 miles

Learn more and register for this core activity on the TEA webpage.

Overview

The Great Teaching for New Faculty Certificate is designed to support faculty in their first few years of teaching. While completing the certificate, you will discover university resources, identify instructors you can turn to for instructional strategies and advice, and create a great learning experience for your students while saving yourself time and frustration.

Miles Required: 1000

Core Activity (required): 600 miles

  1. Teaching Excellence Academy (TEA) | 600 miles
    • Attend 5 out of 6 sessions
    • Complete all prep activities and reflections
    • Submit your completion badge to the Passport Portal as a reflection

Elective Activities: 400 miles

Choose any activities listed below to complete your remaining miles. 

  1. Teaching Beyond the Podium Activities | 10 miles each
  2. Synchronous F2F or Online Workshops | 100 miles each or Asynchronous Workshops | 100-500 miles each
  3. UF Conferences | 250 miles

Overview

Your work as a TA in the classroom is a critical element for student success. The Great Teaching Certificate: TA Edition is a time-efficient way to learn good teaching practices to support your students!

Miles Required: 1000

Core Activities: 600 miles

Core activities are required. Register for the core activities.

  1. Online TA Orientation Part 1 | 100 miles
  2. Online TA Orientation Part 2 | 100 miles
  3. Online TA Principles & Strategies Course | 400 miles

Elective Activities: 400 miles

Choose any activities listed below to complete your remaining miles.

  1. Be a Great Online or Hybrid TA | 200 miles
    Learn about teaching best practices and campus resources that will help you get up to speed quickly.
  2. Teaching Beyond the Podium Activities | 10 miles each
    The Teaching Beyond the Podium podcast features members of the UF community who discuss tips and strategies for creating a quality learning experience.
  3. Synchronous F2F or Online Workshops | 100 miles each or Asynchronous Workshops | 100-500 miles each
  4. UF Conferences | 250 miles

Overview

The Great Online Teaching Certificate is designed to save you time with practical suggestions and planning resources for your online course development.

Miles required: 1000

Core Activities: 500 miles
Core activities are required.

  1. Great Online Course Series (must complete all 2 workshops) | 500 miles

Elective Activities: 500 miles

Choose any combination of the activities listed below to complete your 500 miles. 

  1. Teaching Beyond the Podium Activities | 10 miles each
  2. Synchronous F2F or Online Workshops | 100 miles each or Asynchronous Workshops | 100-500 miles each
  3. UF Conferences | 250 miles

Overview

The Global Teaching & Learning Certificate helps you internationalize your teaching at home and abroad. Some workshops in this series will help you internationalize your on-campus courses by exploring local resources and using technology to create global classrooms. Other courses help you prepare for the experience of teaching abroad by guiding you in the development of your own study abroad program, or by assisting you in applying to teach and research abroad through the Fulbright program.

Miles Required: 1000

Core Activities: 500-1000 miles

At least 1 of the core activities is required.

1.Global Learning Institute | 700 miles

  • Learn more and register for the Global Learning Institute on the International Center webpage
  • Miles for this activity are uploaded to the Passport Portal once per year.

2. Design a Virtual Exchange | 500 miles

  • Learn more and register for Design a Virtual Exchange on the International Center webpage
  • Miles for this activity are uploaded to the Passport Portal once per semester

3. Intercultural Leadership Institute | 700 miles

Elective Activities: 100-500 miles

Choose any activities listed below to complete your remaining miles. They are available on the Events and Workshops page.

  1. Synchronous F2F or Online Workshops (Global Learning Category) | 100 miles each 
  2. Asynchronous Workshops (Global Learning Category) | 100-500 miles each
    • After attending a workshop, submit a reflection in the Passport Portal by clicking on Submit Activity and selecting the name of the workshop in the drop-down list.
    • Be sure to select Global Learning as your category when submitting your reflection.

Overview

UF has joined the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL) network as a partner institution. The CIRTL network was founded in 2003 to help develop faculty committed to implementing and advancing evidence-based teaching practices that benefit all learners, especially in STEM. Program participants may earn three levels of CIRTL certification: Associate, Practitioner, and Scholar.

Learn more about the Associate, Practitioner, and Scholar certificates on the CIRTL page. 

Overview 

The Mental Health Awareness Certificate helps faculty recognize and respond to signs of mental and emotional distress among students and co-workers. Participants will learn about resources at the University of Florida for students, staff, and faculty to support wellness. 

Miles Required: 1000
Core Activities: 400 miles 

All four core activities are required. 

  1. Supporting Student Mental Health: Recognizing and Responding to Signs of Distress – Part I | 100 miles
  2. Supporting Student Mental Health: Recognizing and Responding to Signs of Distress – Part II | 100 miles
  3. Supporting Students in Distress | 100 miles
  4. Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Suicide Prevention Training | 100 miles

Elective Activities: 600 miles 

Choose any activities listed below to complete your remaining miles. They are available on the Events and Workshops page.  

  1. Synchronous F2F or Online Workshops (Mental Health) | 100 miles each  
  2. Asynchronous Workshops (Mental Health) | 100-500 miles each  
    • After attending a workshop, submit a reflection in the Passport Portal by clicking on Submit Activity and selecting the name of the workshop in the drop-down list  
    • Be sure to select Mental Health as your category when submitting your reflection
  3.  Complete a “Mental Health Check-in” activity | 10 – 100 miles each
    • Visit the Reflections webpage in the Passport Portal to view the Mental Health Check-in activity options
    • After completing a check-in activity, submit a reflection in the Passport Portal for each activity by clicking on Submit Activity and selecting the appropriate Mental Health Check-in activity in the drop-down menu 

Overview

The Principles of Holistic Teaching Certificate has been retired. If you have attended activities and want to learn more about where else you can apply your miles, you can email Zaina DeLaney. 

Badges

Category badges are awarded for earning 400 miles in the same category. When registering for a workshop, you will have the option to choose your category. Badges are not required to earn a certificate.

Active Learning

Discover active learning techniques that have students engage with the material, participate in the class, and collaborate with each other.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Discover innovative ways to use AI to support student learning. AI tools have potential benefits, such as providing new perspectives on a problem and generating content that can be analyzed or critiqued. Explore opportunities to include AI content in any course you teach—no coding experience needed. 

Brown Bag Lunch and Learn Series

This series provides faculty the opportunity to explore emerging and perennial teaching and learning topics. These workshops are hosted by faculty who discuss different research-based strategies and methods that they’ve implemented in their own classrooms.

Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning (CIRTL)

Learn how to enhance excellence in undergraduate education by implementing and advancing effective teaching practices for diverse learners by participating in courses, MOOCs, and workshops offered through the CIRTL Network.

Conferences

Meet other faculty and staff while hearing about effective practices and strategies on teaching.

Creative Assessment

Go beyond the “one size fits all” assessment and develop strategies contoured to your students, your course material, and your teaching technique. Make assessment an integral part of the learning experience.

Cultural Competencies

Discover new ways to interact effectively with people from different cultures. Help your students learn to be respectful and responsive to the health beliefs, practices, and the cultural and linguistic needs of diverse population groups.

Digital Literacy

Learn how digital literacy can extend the impact and influence of your course by experimenting with the latest tools and techniques used to communicate in the digital age.

Elevate Prelaunch Badge

Upon completion of Level 1 requirements, you will receive the Elevate Prelaunch Badge. For additional details, visit the Elevate Your Teaching webpage.

Elevate Exploration

Upon completion of Level 2 requirements, you will receive the Elevate Exploration Badge. For additional details, visit the Elevate Your Teaching webpage.

Evidence-Based Teaching

Evidence-based teaching focuses on principles and practices that are based on the best available scientific evidence, rather than tradition, personal judgement, or other influences. Evidence-based education is related to evidence-based teaching, evidence-based learning, and school effectiveness research.

Experiential Learning

Discover the power of experiential learning and the basic steps to create your own activities and assignments.

Global Learning

Learn tools and strategies to internationalize your course, making your students more globally aware and competent.

Great Hybrid Online TA

Prepare for TA roles in online or hybrid courses by exploring teaching best practices, campus resources, completing modules, identifying relevant practices, selecting portfolio elements, and accessing UF teaching support.

Great Online Teaching

This workshop series will help you design, build and teach a great online course.

Great Presentations

Discover simple techniques and tips for effective communication in the classroom and beyond.

Holistic Teaching

The Principles of Holistic Teaching badge helps instructors reach diverse populations of students and provides a foundation of IDEA principals in an effort to build a culture that minimizes bias so all students, faculty, and staff can thrive.

Mental Health

Engaging in mental health strategies helps provide insights into understanding one’s own and others emotions, managing stress, and nurturing resilience. Through the mental health badge, you will learn valuable coping strategies, identify symptoms of mental distress, and build awareness of mental health resources. The mental health badge can help you foster self-awareness, empathy for others’ struggles, and a stronger foundation for building healthy relationships.

Mentoring

Mentoring empowers, supports, and encourages others. Learn what constitutes good practice in mentorship through the workshops offered by the experts at UF and the International Mentoring Association.

No Walls Teaching

The No Walls Teaching (NWT) Badge is a special edition badge that is only offered at limited times. Participants on this list attended three NWT events in addition to one of the NWT Retreats OR were a designated champion, facilitated an NWT event and attended at least two NWT events.

Orientation

The TA Orientation covers the formal requirements for being a teaching assistant. Complete both F2F and online sessions. This badge is only awarded to TAs.

Passport Partners

Passport Partners also earn miles for presenting which can be allocated toward this badge and a certificate.

Promoting IDEA in Clinical Settings

Discover methods designed to support clinical instructors charged with engaging students in experiential learning in clinical teaching and other health care educational contexts. Learn valuable insights and approaches to difficult but common areas of discomfiture encountered in the clinical teaching setting.

RiTL Workshops

Learn about research-based pedagogy that you can use in your classes. Explore the ins and outs of using your teaching as research by exploring topics like data collection, qualitative models and frameworks, and decoding the IRB process.

RiTL Community of Practice

As part of this community of practice (COP) you will develop and execute a teaching-as-research project that contributes novel insights to one of the following areas: Evidence–Based Teaching, Learning Communities, Learning through Diversity. 

Student Focused Teaching

Gain new perspectives on teaching and course development that focus on providing the best learning experience for your students.

TA Portfolio Series

Create an electronic teaching portfolio that helps you stand out to academic search committees and showcase your strengths as an instructor and professional.

TA Principles and Strategies

Build a strong foundation of teaching practices to support your students’ learning. Learn time saving strategies and teaching principles that will help you be a ‘great’ TA. This badge is only awarded to TAs.

Tackling Tough Talks

Learn and practice strategies to implement when difficult conversations with students and coworkers arise.

Teaching as Research

Discover systematic, and reflective methods of using research to develop and implement teaching practices that advance the learning experiences and outcomes of students and teachers.

Teaching Excellence Academy (TEA)

Instructors and faculty at all stages of their careers are invited to continually build their teaching and learning practice and create great learning experiences for their students.   

Team Based Learning (TBL) Boot Camp

This workshop is completed over a 3 day period in which you will be introduced to TBL, generate content and practice skills.

Textbook Affordability

Discover affordable options and strategies to reduce the cost of course materials.

UDL & Access

Learn approaches to teaching and learning that provides all students an equal opportunity to succeed. UDL uses a variety of teaching methods to remove barriers to learning. UDL builds in a degree of flexibility that can be adjusted for every individual’s strengths and needs.

UF Quality

Learn about the UF Quality for online education rubric. Complete a self-review of your course and peer review two courses to earn the course reviewer badge.

UF Quest 3 Experiential Learning | Discovery

Explore new ways to implement or enhance experiential learning aspects of your course. Create opportunities for your students to engage in high impact learning activities.

UF Quest 3 Experiential Learning | Development

Create a handbook to be shared with the UF teaching community illustrating various high impact experiential learning practices.

FAQ

Find frequently asked questions under each of the catergories.

Why do I need my passport?

Your government issued passport is not needed for the Passport to Great Teaching program. You will be issued virtual credentials as part of the Passport Program. 

What are core activities?

These are the required activities for each certificate. Some certificates do not have core activities.

What are elective activities?

These are activities you can choose when fulfilling the remaining miles within each certificate.

Can graduate students participate in the Passport to Great Teaching program?

Yes, we encourage any graduate students to attend all of our workshops! Graduate students can also earn miles, badges, and certificates in the Passport to Great Teaching Program.

What is a reflection and how do I submit one?

Reflections are assignments within the Passport Portal that help you apply what you learned to your own teaching practices. Reflections are required for conferences, asynchronous workshops, courses, or any Passport to Great Teaching activities not hosted by the Center for Teaching Excellence. Once you complete one of these activities, you will need to submit your reflection by clicking on the Submit Activity button which can be found on the homepage of the Passport Portal.

What are miles?

Miles are equivalent to points. You will earn a set number of miles for each workshop you attend or activity you complete. Miles are awarded for events and workshops once. You cannot apply an individual workshop to more than one certificate. Exceptions will be made if an activity you complete for one certificate is the only core activity option for another certificate.

How many miles is each activity?

Each Passport to Great Teaching activity is worth a different number of miles depending on the type of activity:

  • Synchronous and asynchronous workshops: 50-500 miles ea.
  • Conferences: 250 miles ea.
  • Teaching Beyond the Podium podcast activities: 10 miles ea.

To see the number of miles for a specific workshop, visit the he Upcoming Activities page in the Passport Portal. You can also visit reflections page, to view the Asynchronous Events that count towards the Passport Program.

Note: Some activities will require a reflection in order to receive miles. All asynchronous activities, courses, conferences, and Teaching Beyond the Podium podcast activities require a reflection in the Passport Portal.

If I attend a conference or workshop outside of the Passport to Great Teaching Program will I be awarded miles?

No, you can only earn miles by participating in designated Passport to Great Teaching activities. You can find them on the Upcoming Activities page under the Activities & Reflections tab in the Passport Portal.

If I attend the same conference but in different years, will I be awarded separate miles for each?

Yes, if you attend a conference in 2026 and then again in 2027 you will receive 250 miles for each once you submit your reflections in the Passport Portal.

Will I receive miles for attending Interface?

Yes, you will receive 250 miles if you attend all of Interface and submit a reflection in the Passport Portal.

What are badges?

Badges are small incremental achievements. Badges are awarded by earning 400 miles in one category. Each workshop has designated categories; you choose one of these categories for each workshop you attend. Once you have earned 400 miles in the same category, you will be awarded the badge for that category.

Do I need to earn a badge in order to get my certificate?

No, earning a badge is not required.

If I attend another conference or workshop outside of the Passport to Great Teaching Program will I be awarded a badge?

No, you can only earn badges by participating in designated Passport to Great Teaching activities which you can find in the Passport Portal.

Can I combine stamps from different categories to earn a badge?

No, each stamp is specific to a category. In order to earn a badge, you will need 400 miles in that category.

Do I have to complete the certificate within a certain amount of time?

Yes. Unless otherwise stated, all certificates must be completed within three years of your start date. For example, Certificates for the Faculty Learning Communities (FLCs) must be completed during the same academic year (i.e. begins Fall 2026 and finishes Spring 2027).

If I attend/attended a workshop, can I apply it to more than one certificate?

No, each workshop can only be applied once to one certificate.

I’m in the process of completing a second certificate and the core activity for the second certificate is the same as the core activity for the first certificate I already completed. What do I do?

If there is a substitution, you will need to attend or complete that activity. If there is no substitution, please contact CTE. We will work with you to get you credit for the core activity requirement.

Can I complete multiple certificates at the same time?

Yes, but since certificate programs require a time commitment, we recommend completing one at a time.

What category does the workshop I’m attending apply to?

View the calendar on the events and workshops page. Under each workshop, you will see “Passport Categories.” The categories listed are all of the possible category options for each workshop.

Will the workshop apply to all categories listed?

No, it will not. Based on the categories listed, you can choose one category for the workshop.

Can I combine stamps from different categories to earn a badge?

No, each stamp is specific to a category. In order to earn a badge, you will need 400 miles in that category.

I want to participate but I’m not in Gainesville. Can I still participate?

Yes, you can! There will be designated workshops that will be hosted online. To see which events are hosted online, go to the Events and Workshops page and click on an event you want to attend in the calendar. You will see the location under the event details.

If I’m participating online, how will I receive a passport, stamps, badges and certificates?

All credentials are virtual and will be awarded to the email address on file with your Passport Portal account. 

Will online sessions be recorded?

No. Due to the activities and level of engagement in our workshops, you must attend the synchronous session online. 

What is a campus collaborator?

Campus collaborators facilitate workshops for participants of the Passport to Great Teaching Program.

I’m interested in facilitating a workshop, but I’ve never done that before and I’m not sure where to begin.

The Center for Teaching Excellence can help! We can set up a meeting to discuss how workshops normally run and help you plan your workshop. Send an email to CTE to set up a time.

What are the benefits of becoming a collaborator?

By becoming a collaborator, you’ll get to connect to faculty across campus who are interested in your topic and identify potential collaborators for future research or other projects. You’ll also earn 100 miles towards your Great Teaching Certificate for each unique workshop you facilitate (you cannot receive miles for a workshop more than once).

What is the Passport Portal?

The Passport Portal is a platform developed for participants of CTE’s Passport to Great Teaching Program. The purpose of the portal is to have one central location where participants can:

  • Register for a Passport to Great Teaching certificate
  • View and register for Passport to Great Teaching workshops
  • Check on miles and badges they’ve earned
  • Submit reflections
  • Post questions and chat with other participants through the discussion board

Can I register for Passport to Great Teaching workshops without using the Passport Portal?

No, the only way to register for Passport to Great Teaching workshops is through the portal.

Are other events and workshops unrelated to the Passport to Great Teaching program in the portal?

No, workshops that are not part of the Passport to Great Teaching program are not in the portal and will have a registration link in the description of the event.

I received an error when trying to register for a workshop in the portal. Now what?

If you are registering for a workshop but haven’t created an account in the Passport Portal, you must first create an account. After creating an account, you will receive a confirmation email and then you will be able to register for workshops. If you still receive an error, please screenshot the error and email CTE.

I’m having trouble navigating the portal. Who can I contact for help?

Please contact us.  Our email is here CTE.

Can I still attend a Passport to Great Teaching workshop without registering first?

Yes; however, we encourage you to create your account and/or register beforehand to save you time when signing-in on the day of the workshop. Our sign-in process is now logged electronically through the portal, so you will need to create your account and/or register at the time of the workshop if you did not do so beforehand.

I attended an activity and don’t see my miles in the portal?

Miles for the Global Learning Institute, Design a Virtual Exchange, and the Study Abroad Leadership program are only uploaded once per year.

What is a Faculty Learning Community (FLC)?

An FLC is a peer-led group of faculty members, staff, and graduate students who engage in an active, collaborative, year–long program structured to provide encouragement, support, and reflection.

What are the benefits of being in an FLC?

Joining an FLC allows you to:

  • Stimulate innovation and create experiential, collaborative learning environments
  • Increase collaboration and make the best use of limited funding
  • Provide a flexible professional development structure to support learning of any topic
  • Increase communication and collaboration among faculty who, by the nature of their work in individual classrooms, are often isolated from colleagues

Are there prerequisites to join?

Some FLC’s may require some previous knowledge or experience to join. However, most FLC’s have no prerequisites and are open to all faculty, staff, TAs and GAs.

Can I join an FLC midway through?

You cannot join an FLC midway through. There are specific expectations for all FLC’s, and joining midway through would not allow you to meet those expectations. View the FLC webpage to see the expectations.

Can I facilitate an FLC?

Yes, if there is a topic you’d be interested in facilitating send an email to the CTE inbox to connect with us.  

What are the FLC topics?

The topics offered change each academic year. To see the current topics visit the FLC webpage.

How do FLC’s relate to the Passport to Great Teaching Program?

The Faculty Learning Community Certificate is one of the certificate tracks within the Passport to Great Teaching Program. Participants who fulfill the expectations will receive a certificate. To view the expectations, visit the FLC webpage.

I’m unable to attend a few of the scheduled meeting dates, will I still get a certificate?

As long as you still meet the FLC expectations, you will earn the certificate. However, you will not receive credit for any meetings you miss.

I’ve attended a lot of workshops, FLCs, and events, and I’ve also won CTE awards. How can I also contribute? 

Share your expertise and knowledge by leading a workshop, contributing an article, or presenting at the Interface Teaching Conference. Learn more ways you can continue to be involved with the UF CTE teaching community.