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Pitt Community College

Pitt CC Master Instructor

A one-year, on-campus cohort that recognizes our strongest teaching, proves it with classroom evidence, and shares it across the college.

The idea

We bring the statewide NC3MI Master Instructor program to our own campus. Instead of working through the modules online on their own, our faculty learn each module together in person, try it in their own classes, and come back with evidence of what worked.

The program does not teach faculty how to teach. It recognizes the mastery already in our classrooms, sharpens it through peer learning, and certifies it through documented results with students.

10
research-based modules
1
academic year, August to May
1 to 2
faculty nominated by each dean
1
college-wide Staff Development Day led by the cohort

How it works

Every module runs on the same three-week cycle, so faculty always know what comes next.

1. Learn
In person

Each module's strategies are modeled live, with faculty in the student seat experiencing them firsthand.

2. Apply
In class

Faculty use at least one strategy in a live course and gather evidence of its impact on students.

3. Report back
In person

Faculty share results, give and receive peer feedback, and the session closes by launching the next module.

Inside a 90-minute session

Segment Minutes What happens
Report back35Faculty share classroom evidence through a structured protocol such as Give One, Get One or a gallery walk
Peer feedback15Small groups name what worked, what to adjust, and how it transfers across disciplines
Launch next module35New strategies modeled live, with faculty participating as students
Commit5Each person names the strategy and course they will try before the next session

Between sessions, faculty complete the online module work (about 2 to 3 hours) and submit their evidence.

The year at a glance

Fall builds the classroom foundation. Spring moves into deeper learning and leadership, ending with Collective Educator Agency as the bridge into the capstone.

Fall semester
August
Cohort kickoff: norms, baseline self-assessment, evidence expectations
Late Aug to Sept
Module 1: Building Interpersonal Skills and Relational Capacity
Sept to Oct
Module 2: High-Engagement Instruction
October
Module 3: Lesson Structure and Active-Learning Strategies
Late Oct to Nov
Module 4: Effective Collaboration
Nov to early Dec
Module 5: Student Motivation
December
Fall reflection: mid-year evidence check and spring preview
Spring semester
January
Module 6: Fostering Academic Reading
Late Jan to Feb
Module 7: Metacognition
Feb to early Mar
Module 8: Inquiry and Critical Thinking
March
Module 9: Supporting Student Agency
Late Mar to Apr
Module 10: Collective Educator Agency, plus capstone design
April
Capstone rehearsals with peer feedback
May
Final evidence review and designation awarded
The spring finale

Our faculty teach our faculty

The capstone becomes a college-wide event. The cohort runs our spring Staff Development Day together, and the day closes with the awarding of the Pitt CC Master Instructor designation.

  • Each candidate leads a 50-minute solo or 90-minute paired breakout modeling at least three strategies
  • Sessions are mixed so faculty from every division find strategies that fit their programs
  • Attendees and supervisors complete feedback surveys as evidence of impact
  • College leadership presents the designation in front of colleagues

A credential that means something

The campus cohort changes how the program is delivered, not what it takes to earn it. Our Master Instructors meet the same evidence standard as the statewide NC3MI program: all 10 modules, documented classroom implementation, peer feedback, reflection, and a capstone with survey results.

What Pitt CC gains

  • A team of faculty ready to mentor peers and lead professional development
  • Proven strategies shared with faculty across every division in a single day
  • A growing bank of classroom evidence across disciplines
  • A foundation for future faculty micro-credentials and teaching resources
For deans

Nominate 1 to 2 faculty for our first cohort

Who to nominate

  • Instructors of record in Curriculum, Continuing Education, or College and Career Readiness
  • Strong, student-centered teaching
  • Respected by peers and ready to lead them

The commitment

  • About 90 minutes in person every three weeks
  • 2 to 3 hours of independent work per module
  • Trying each strategy in a live course
  • Leading a session on Staff Development Day

How to nominate

Submit names by [DATE] using [NOMINATION LINK]. Rank nominees if you submit two.

Submit a nomination

Questions deans ask

Is this the same as the statewide NC3MI program?

It uses the same 10 modules and the same evidence standard. The difference is delivery: our cohort meets in person on campus and learns together across the year.

Is this training on how to teach?

No. It recognizes teaching mastery that already exists and certifies it through evidence. Nominate faculty who are already strong in the classroom.

What happens if someone misses a session?

The online module stays available, so faculty can catch up and still report back at the next session.

What do graduates do afterward?

They become a ready team for mentoring, department-level professional development, and future cohorts.