The University of North Georgia (UNG) had two faculty recently selected as Governor's Teaching Fellows (GTF).

Lisa Diehl, lecturer of English, was part of the GTF 2018 Summer Symposium. Dr. Ahmad Ghafarian, professor of computer science, is part of the GTF 2018-19 Academic Year Symposium.

Established by former Gov. Zell Miller, GTF provides Georgia higher education faculty with expanded opportunities for developing important teaching skills. The program is offered by the University of Georgia's (UGA) Institute of Higher Education. It includes a combination of structured instructional and faculty development activities, plus self-directed activities to meet individual needs.

Diehl said she enjoyed learning from those who teach in other disciplines about how to get students more involved in the learning process. The Summer Symposium lasted two weeks, with Diehl and one of her counterparts sharing a lesson plan with their colleagues and receiving feedback.

The main takeaway from GTF for Diehl was helping students apply what they learn.

"We have to think beyond the classroom," Diehl said.

Ghafarian is looking forward to his participation in the Academic Year Symposium, which will meet three days a month at UGA.

"I'm always looking for ways to improve my teaching," Ghafarian said.

He is excited to feed off the enthusiastic, dynamic environment where professors are seeking to improve their craft by sharing ideas.

"I'm hoping to bring back the innovations to the UNG campus and share them with my colleagues," Ghafarian said.