What is P2P?
P2P is a faculty mentoring for teaching program hosted by the Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation (CTSI) that involves a cohort of paired faculty who have similar teaching goals and interests, collaborating in a reciprocal 1-1 partnership through structured, facilitated workshops to improve the quality of their course, and the student learning experience. The P2P Program offers a supportive space for instructors to try new strategies and approaches and build confidence in their teaching.
2026-27 P2P Faculty Mentoring for Teaching at U of T Program Overview:
- Offered from November 23, 2026, through to April 30, 2027
- Four CTSI-led workshops designed to build skills in mentor-coaching, observation of teaching, and gathering teaching data and developing a feedback plan
- Faculty partners will meet on average weekly/bi-weekly in a reciprocal 1-1 partnership to discuss and build on ways they could improve the quality of their course, and the student learning experience.
Goals of the P2P Program: Overall, P2P offers a supportive space for instructors to try new strategies and approaches and build confidence in their teaching. Specifically:
- Use summative and formative course feedback to improve the quality of a course and student learning
- Increase reflection on one’s teaching and gain a better understanding of students’ learning needs
- To provide a structured framework for ongoing improvement of a [course] and learning practice with input, assistance and guidance from CTSI and cohort peers
- Build leadership capacity and mentoring opportunities for U of T faculty.
DEADLINE TO APPLY: October 14, 2026
ACCEPTANCE notification: October 20, 2026
Applications open on August 31, 2026
How the P2P Program Works
Who is eligible for the P2P Program?
P2P is open to all instructors teaching a U of T course during Winter 2027. *Note: Graduate student Course Instructors should visit the Teaching Assistants’ Training Program (TATP) for alternative professional development opportunities.
When is the P2P program?
P2P will launch in-person on November 23, 2026, and end April 30, 2027. Here are the dates for the mandatory CTSI-facilitated sessions:
- Workshop #1 (launch): November 23, 2026: 10am-1pm (CTSI, Blackburn Rm)
- Webinar #2: January 20, 2027: 10am-12pm (Teams)
- Workshop #3: March 24, 2027: 10am-12pm (CTSI, Blackburn Rm)
- Workshop #4 (closing): April 30, 2027: 10am-12pm (CTSI, Blackburn Rm)
*In-person held in the Blackburn Room, 4th floor Robarts Library, 130 St. George Street
What are the purposes and goals of the P2P Program?
- to provide a structured framework for ongoing improvement of a [course] and learning practice with input, assistance, and guidance from CTSI and cohort peers
- to work with a peer in a supportive and collegial partnership to enhance one’s teaching going forward
- to increase reflection on one’s teaching and gain a better understanding of students’ learning needs
- to build leadership capacity and mentoring opportunities for instructors at U of T whereby methods and approaches that support effective teaching can be shared
- to improve the quality of a course and student learning experiences within that course through a focus on quality teaching and through analysis of student course feedback.
What program model does the P2P Program use?
- P2P uses a dyadic peer assisted teaching partnership model, meaning faculty partners contribute equitably to the mentoring partnership. This reciprocal mentoring approach differs from conventional models, which often identify “mentors” and “mentees.” In P2P, the experiences, skills, and teaching expertise of both faculty members are considered equal in importance. We do not necessarily pair junior/less experienced instructors with senior/experienced instructors — the partnership model works well regardless of the seniority of the participants!
- The co-mentoring approach allows for both instructors to review course feedback (e.g., course evaluations/formative, mid-course feedback), establish teaching-related goals and participate in a peer observation of teaching, using the CTSI Teaching Observation Guide
- During the program you will receive materials and resources to support your teaching and upon completion of the program CTSI will provide a letter of recognition for your participation.
What are my commitments to the P2P Program?
- Over five months, the P2P process provides the opportunity to engage in the following activities:
- attend four CTSI-facilitated meetings/workshops, (pre, during, and post semester)
- conduct a peer observation of teaching
- collect mid-course and formative feedback from students, and,
- engage in regular conversations with your partner.
- Meet regularly with mentoring partner (note: the average P2P meeting schedule is bi-weekly)
How many participants will be in the P2P Program?
- A maximum of 30 participants (15 pairs) to ensure all program sessions allow for reflection and opportunities to interact with other participants and CTSI facilitators.
How will I be matched with a peer?
- Applicants will be carefully reviewed according to several criteria that draw on application responses (including campus, class size, stated teaching goals, discipline, and teaching skills and experiences you can offer or are seeking, etc.). Please note: every effort will be made to match all eligible applicants, but it may be that not all applicants will be able to be matched.
Previous P2P Faculty Participant Reflections
Read about how one P2P mentoring partnership evolved during the course of the program: Impact Story: Peer-to-Peer Mentoring for Teaching with Kristina Lisk and Asif Zaman
"I gained a collaborative and reciprocal partnership. Feeling less isolated from and more connected with the university community."(P2P 2025-26 Faculty participant).
"The peer observation was a major highlight!... I'll be encouraging many others in my department to try it out." (2024-25 Faculty Participant)
"I enjoyed developing a relationship with someone outside of my Department, especially a trusting relationship." (2024-25 Faculty Participant)
"[P2P] offered a safe space to share, be vulnerable and learn." (2025-26 Faculty Participant)