Teachers are at the heart of every programme. They design and deliver the courses that collectively make the curriculum, guide student learning, and play a vital role in maintaining and improving educational quality. As Programme Director, you help to create the conditions in which teachers can contribute effectively and feel connected to the programme's goals and ambitions.
While the formal line management of teachers usually resides within the departments, Programme Directors play an important role in supporting, informing, and engaging the teaching team.
Additionally, you may be asked to give input for the annual appraisal interview of teachers and give input for, or even participate in, the selection committee for new teachers.
Welcome new teachers
A good starting point is to have an individual meeting of 30 minutes with every teacher who is new to the programme. This short introductory meeting can make a significant difference as it allows you to connect the new teacher to the vision of the programme and the structure of curriculum. In particular, teachers not yet familiar with the Twente Educational Model, Dutch educational system and the UT context will benefit from a thorough introduction.
During this conversation, you can:
- introduce yourself and your role
- explain the programme’s educational vision and objectives
- discuss the structure and coherence of the curriculum
- clarify how the teacher’s course contributes to the Programme Intended Learning Outcomes (PILOs)
- provide practical information about relevant contacts and available support
- and, of course, answer any questions the teacher may have.
These conversations help new colleagues understand the broader context of their course and strengthen their connection to the programme from the outset.
Resources to welcome new teachers
Build and maintain a viable teacher community
Regular communication with the teaching team helps to create a shared understanding of programme priorities and encourages collaboration across courses. Many Programme Directors organise teacher meetings several times per year to:
- share updates on programme developments
- discuss changes in policies, regulations, or curriculum design
- explore emerging educational themes such as the use of AI in education
- reflect on programme quality and the student experience, and
- gather feedback and ideas from teachers.
These meetings provide an important platform for keeping teachers informed, engaged, and involved in the ongoing development of the programme.
These meetings also contribute to building a sense of community within the programme. They help teachers understand how their individual courses contribute to the broader curriculum and provide opportunities to exchange experiences and learn from one another. In addition, teacher meetings offer a valuable opportunity to recognise and celebrate educational achievements, such as receiving a Comenius Grant or a Teacher of the Year award, and to highlight professional development opportunities, including the SUTQ and the CEE Teaching & Learning Fellows programme. In this way, they reinforce the value the programme places on educational quality and innovation.
The practical organisation of these meetings is often supported by the Programme Coordinator and may be co-designed and facilitated in collaboration with the faculty representative of CELT.
Resources for teacher community
Co-assess for the (Senior) University Teaching Qualification ((S)UTQ)
All teaching staff at UT are required to have or obtain a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ). Through the UTQ trajectory, teachers develop and demonstrate competencies in areas such as course design, teaching and supervision, assessment, educational evaluation, and professional development as a teacher. The UTQ programme is coordinated by CELT.
As Programme Director, you are invited to participate in the assessment of UTQ portfolios submitted by teachers in your programme. Your perspective is important because you have an insight into the teacher's role within the programme and their contribution to student learning and educational quality. You will be informed about the assessment procedure by the UTQ coordinator and a CELT educational advisor, who will also provide the necessary guidance and support.
Some teachers in your programme might participate in the SUTQ programme, the Senior University Teaching Qualification. This programme is also completed with an assessment interview, which you may be asked to join as co-assessor.
Resources for UTQ assessment
