Katelyn Butler was a Scientific Teaching Fellow in 2017 while pursuing a PhD in plant pathology. Today, she is an associate instructional professor in the Biological Sciences Collegiate Division at University of Chicago, teaching biology courses for both majors and non-majors. Outside of work, she enjoys playing board games and golf, going to concerts by her favorite artists, and adventuring with her family around the city of Chicago.
What was your favorite part of the Scientific Teaching Fellows program?
Being able to teach a class independently as a graduate student while having the guidance and mentorship of the director and my peers was invaluable. This allowed me to gain skills and confidence in running a classroom and designing effective lessons and assessments. The feedback provided by my colleagues was always thoughtful and improved my teaching—something I wish I could still have now!
How have you applied the skills and knowledge from this program in your career?
The Scientific Teaching Fellows program provided me with the skills and practice of high-quality teaching. It gave me the confidence to design an effective course, from the course objectives and syllabus to assessments and daily activities. It also gave me the skills to be a reflective teacher, one who is constantly thinking about how effective my methods are and how I can improve to better support student learning.
What excites you about teaching?
First and foremost, it’s the relationships I get to have with my students—getting to know and learn from them, and seeing them grow. I love breaking down barriers for students who would otherwise think a subject is “too hard” or “too boring.” By providing students with the tools they need to succeed, along with a healthy dose of enthusiasm and encouragement, I get to see them go from new, slightly concerned faces to curious, active participants. Finally, as a plant biologist teaching a lot of medically minded majors and a lot of non-major classes, hearing “that was more interesting than I thought it would be!” is always music to my ears.
What advice do you have for new Fellows coming into this program?
Ask for feedback! Being surrounded by like-minded colleagues who are equally passionate about teaching is an invaluable resource. Ask for their help, brainstorm ideas, and listen to their feedback. It will make everyone a better educator!
Learn more about Scientific Teaching Fellows.