Graduate Student Teaching Association (GSTA) in Psychology

2026 Members:

Ashmita: University of Toronto,
Melissa (Mel): CUNY Graduate Center,
Josh: University of Illinois Chicago,
Lindsey: Oregon State University,
Romeo (Romi): University of Houston,
Elizabeth (Liz): Virginia Commonwealth University, Mackenzie: University of Minnesota- Twin Cities

Meet the GSTA Committee for 2026!

We are a group of current graduate students working to develop programming and events for graduate student instructors.

We hope to be more active this year with outreach & programming.

✨ Follow us to learn more! ✨

⏰ LAST CALL! VCT 2026 (Feb 19-20) - Final chance to register for LIVE sessions with Regan Gurung, Elizabeth Hammer & 20+ expert presenters. Real-time Q&A, networking & interactive learning. Register: teachpsych.org/VCT

GSTA will also be at VCT! Connect and learn more about us and other affinity groups at VCT from 4:00-5:00 pm EST (3/3)

Dates: February 19-20, 2026
*All sessions recorded and available through Oct 1, 2026*

Cost: Only $50 for STP members

Register for VCT: teachpsych.org/VCT

Tune in to learn more about the amazing work on Teaching of Psychology!

Keynote: “Teaching Like a Champ in Tough Times” with award-winning educators Regan Gurung & Elizabeth Yost Hammer (2/3)

✨ Registration is open for The Virtual Conference on Teaching (VCT) ✨

VCT is a perfect time to build your teaching portfolio, learn evidence-based strategies & connect with psychology educators nationwide, all while juggling your busy grad school schedule. (1/3)

VCT: Affinity & Interest Group Request During STP's Virtual Conference on Teaching (VCT), we will be offering synchronous breakout rooms for Affinity Groups and other Interest Groups to meet. We successfully offered a similar opportunity ...

Get involved: Consider facilitating an affinity group during the event by completing our interest form by Jan. 30:
forms.gle/SJXjPTQKtkwehazF7

Register for VCT: teachpsych.org/VCT

Questions? Email: virtual-conference@teachpsych.org
🧵 3/3

@stpteachpsych.bsky.social

Keynote: "Teaching Like a Champ in Tough Times" with award-winning educators Regan Gurung & Elizabeth Yost Hammer
Dates: February 19-20, 2026
*All sessions recorded and available through Oct 1, 2026*
Cost: Only $50 for STP members
🧵 2/3

New opportunity for grad students! STP has launched the Virtual Conference on Teaching (VCT). It's a perfect time to build your teaching portfolio, learn evidence-based strategies & connect with psychology educators nationwide, all while juggling your busy grad school schedule. Find out more ⬇️🧵 1/3

VCT: Affinity & Interest Group Request During STP's Virtual Conference on Teaching (VCT), we will be offering synchronous breakout rooms for Affinity Groups and other Interest Groups to meet. We successfully offered a similar opportunity ...

Get involved: Consider facilitating an affinity group during the event by completing our interest form by Jan. 30:
forms.gle/SJXjPTQKtkwehazF7

Register for VCT: teachpsych.org/VCT

Questions? Email: virtual-conference@teachpsych.org
🧵 3/3

Keynote: "Teaching Like a Champ in Tough Times" with award-winning educators Regan Gurung & Elizabeth Yost Hammer
Dates: February 19-20, 2026
*All sessions recorded and available through Oct 1, 2026*
Cost: Only $50 for STP members
🧵 2/3

Who can join?
📣Graduate students in Master's, PsyD, and PhD psychology programs.
📣Graduate students at any stage, at any year (including 1st and 2nd year students), at any university, located in the United States or Canada
📣You must be a graduate students for the entire term Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2026

Committee members will:
✅Serve on the committee from Jan 1 -Dec 31, 2026
✅Attend monthly, 1 hour Zoom meetings
✅Contribute to monthly Corner's posts & GSTA social media
✅Help coordinate/lead virtual professional development workshops throughout the year
✅Assist in planning a social event at ACT

Perks of joining the committee:
⭐Funding available to attend the Annual Conference on Teaching
⭐Join a community of grad students who are passionate about teaching
⭐Participate on teaching-related initiatives through academic service
⭐Enjoy the benefits of the Society for Teaching Psychology

We are seeking 2-3 new members to join the Graduate Student Teaching Association (GSTA)’s Steering Committee from January 1, 2026- December 31, 2026. Scan the QR code or visit forms.gle/29Umv62B1Pgn... for the application!

See more information about joining the GSTA in the thread below!🧵

Connect with the GSTA at ACT 2025. Friday, Oct 17, 11:45AM - 12:45PM. Lunch PIE: Supporting Graduate Student Instructors: Insights from the Graduate Student Teaching Association (GSTA). Saturday, Oct 18 5:30 - 8:30PM, GSTA + ECP Dinner. Sign up at ACT!

The Annual Conference on Teaching is only a few days away! Connect with the GSTA at our Friday lunch PIE session & Saturday night social. Talk with fellow grad students about your teaching experiences, ask questions, and find community!
#ACT2025 #stpteachpsych @stpteachpsych.bsky.social

STP Committee on Teaching Awards congratulates the outstanding teachers of psychology who are recipients of this year’s awards!

Please read more about each of our outstanding teachers on our website: teachpsych.org/members/awards

GSTA Member highlight. Josh Lovett 2025 recipient of the Wilbert J. McKeachie Teaching Excellence Award for graduate students. Congratulations!

Josh is an exceptional educator and scholar whose teaching, mentorship, and leadership consistently earn top evaluations and multiple honors, including UIC’s Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching & Mentoring Award. He inspires student interest in psychology through high-impact outreach and mentorship, evidence-based workshops, and innovative course design. A builder of teaching culture, he founded a TA support group, created department-wide resources on accessibility and active learning, and leads campus initiatives in partnership with the Center for the Advancement of Teaching Excellence. His scholarly record demonstrates rigor and a commitment to advancing teaching and learning.

Our very own GSTA committee member, Josh Lovett, was awarded this year's Wilbert J. McKeachie Teaching Excellence Award for graduate students. Congratulations @joshlovettpsych.bsky.social 🎉 Learn about the award & other recipients here: teachpsych.org/members/awards

✅ Vote in the 3rd Annual STP Design Contest! Voting open until September 22, 2025. ✅ Cast your vote here: missouristate.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
#STP #SocietyfortheTeachingofPsychology #ACT2025 #AnnualConferenceonTeaching

Stay tuned for our joint GSTA & ECP social event! This will be open to all undergrad & grad students, post-docs, and early career psychologists (< 10 years of teaching experience). We hope to see you there! 5/5🧵

I am super excited for ACT this year. I have four total presentations, but the one I am most excited about is “Setting the Stage: Crafting First-Day Experiences that Inspire Student Engagement.” I am providing this symposium talk with Ph.D. candidate, Stephanie Byers. This session explores research-informed strategies for creating first-day experiences that foster student belonging, engagement, and motivation. Participants will learn practical ways to move beyond traditional syllabus reviews and will leave with a renewed perspective on designing first days that set a positive, inclusive tone for the entire course.

Lindsey has 4 presentations! She's most excited about the symposium “Setting the Stage: Crafting First-Day Experiences that Inspire Student Engagement.” 4/5🧵

We will be hosting a Participant Idea Exchange (PIE) discussion, “Supporting Graduate Student Instructors: Insights from the Graduate Student Teaching Association (GSTA)”. This session will explore findings from our recent survey of respondents who identified as members of underserved communities (e.g., BIPOC, first-generation, LGBTQIA+, low-income, and/or neurodivergent) and who experience barriers in their teaching and career development. We hope that building community through this work can increase confidence, reduce impostor syndrome, & create a stronger, more inclusive learning environment for all.

Mel will be joining our Participant Idea Exchange (PIE) discussion, “Supporting Graduate Student Instructors: Insights from the Graduate Student Teaching Association (GSTA).” 3/5🧵

I am thrilled to be attending my fourth ACT this year! I’ll be presenting a 25-minute talk titled “Training for the SPRINT (Summer Psychology Research Initiative): An Experiential Learning Opportunity for Trainees to Build EDI-Centered Teaching and Mentorship Skills.” In this session, I will share how our team designed a novel experiential learning program in which undergraduate and graduate trainees developed their teaching and mentorship skills through a series of workshops and group activities leading up to the SPRINT program. Trainees then had the opportunity to directly apply what they learned during the program itself. To evaluate the impact of this approach, we collected pre- and post-assessment data to examine the effectiveness of these interventions.

Alexa will be presenting a 25-minute symposium titled “Training for the SPRINT (Summer Psychology Research Initiative): An Experiential Learning Opportunity for Trainees to Build EDI-Centered Teaching and Mentorship Skills.” 2/5🧵 @uoftpsycomm.bsky.social @alexasacchi.bsky.social ‪

The GSTA is excited to share a preview of our upcoming ACT Conference presentations ⭐ Several of our members will be highlighting the work they’ll be presenting. We look forward to connecting with colleagues and learning together at the conference! 1/5🧵 teachpsych.org/conferences/act

Mentee Registration for STP ECP Speed Mentoring 2025 WHAT: The STP ECP Committee is hosting the 7th Annual Speed Mentoring Event at ACT 2025. This session will allow you to meet with mentors to gain gems of wisdom and candid answers to your most pressin...

Mentee Registration for STP ECP Speed Mentoring 2025: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Speed networking event at ACT 2024. Date: Saturday, October 18th. Time: 8:30AM - 10:30AM (Morning workshop session). Where: Annual Conference on Teaching. Mentees: register by September 25th.

Early career psychologists, grad students, & postdocs: get advice, perspective, and encouragement from professionals who’ve been where you are. Join us for the Speed Mentoring at ACT 2025: Saturday, October 18 from 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM Sign up by Sept. 25 to participate! (Link in the thread below).

Annual Conference on Teaching psychology (ACT). Conference Dates: October 16 - 18, 2025 in Minneapolis, MN. Don't miss out! Early bird registration. Register by August 16. teachpsych.org/conferences/act

📣 ONE WEEK LEFT FOR EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION! 📣 Register for the Annual Conference on Teaching by August 15 to get the best deal! The early bird registration fee for undergrad & grad students is $125 USD + $20 USD for the annual membership. We hope to see you there! teachpsych.org/conferences/act

Sticker design Contest! Win free registration to ACT! Submissions due SEPTEMBER 3 Incorporate "STP" and the academic year "2025-2026" into your design. Must be an STP member to apply Membership is only $20 USD for graduate students & postdocs More info: teachpsych.org/design

Past Winners: 2024 & 2023. Image shows 2 circle stickers that say Society for the Teaching of Psychology. Image 1) is yellow and black, showing a brain with different teaching related emojis coming out of a book. Image 2) is an open book with a half heart, half brain that says STP

⭐ Unleash your creative genius, make a lasting impact on STP, and win free registration to STP’s Annual Conference on Teaching in October! ⭐ Enter the 3rd annual sticker design contest. Submissions are open to current STP members and due September 3rd. More info here: teachpsych.org/design

The purpose of STP's Professional Development Mentoring Program is to help transition into the role of professional educator. The program is designed to run from August through May. Participants must be members of STP. Membership is only $20 USD for students & postdocs. 🧵3/3

Consistent with our Mission Statement and the Statement on Addressing Systemic Racism and Inequity in STP, we encourage applications from colleagues who are from underrepresented groups and have diverse backgrounds and experiences. 🧵2/3