Advancing Your Confidence as an Educator (ACE): An Academic-VA Partnership to Enhance Educator Skills and Improve Attitudes About Careers in Aging.

Abstract

Previous research suggests some psychologists may not consider academic careers because of doubts about their teaching competency, and this is especially true for psychologists interested in aging (i.e., geropsychologists). To enhance competencies in the practice of education, we developed a webinar series, Advancing Your Confidence as an Educator, to bolster skills and attitudes toward teaching and improve attitudes about careers in aging. Seven hour-long webinars addressed key skills in developing and executing courses and professional presentations, and 2 panel sessions addressed attitudes toward teaching by featuring early- and later-career professionals discussing their paths to and satisfaction with jobs as educators. Attendance across the highly interactive sessions was robust (M = 50). Evaluation data suggest the webinar was effective in meeting educational needs. To promote sustainable impact, the webinars are archived and freely available online. Challenges in marketing and evaluation arose, but overall, this effort is one way of cultivating a more vigorous interest and self-confidence in teaching.