Developing Medical Students as Future Educators Through a Teaching Distinction Track

Preparing undergraduate medical students to develop skills related to teaching and facilitation of learning requires a planned approach across multiple years. Students at the Carver College of Medicine (CCOM) may elect to enroll in the Teaching Distinction Track (TDT) where they focus on exploring multiple forms of education‐based experiences. These experiences are in addition to those required for the general medical curriculum. Students commit to participating in the TDT in their M2‐year by establishing a mentor and developing a learning contract. The learning contract outlines planned activities, opportunities for feedback, coursework, participation on education‐based committees, and the development of an education‐based project. The requirements for the TDT are a minimum of 60‐h of relevant teaching experience that may include tutoring, teaching science concepts, creating new educational materials, serving as a small‐group facilitator, assisting in physical examination skills development, and participation on committees related to medical education. Students are also required to develop a teaching portfolio and must successfully complete a 4‐week teaching elective. During their final semester at the CCOM each student gives a presentation on how the TDT has impacted their studies, showcasing some of their work. Included in the presentation are a synopsis of their teaching philosophy, specific teaching skills in which they have seen growth, examples of the educational materials they have developed, and the project they have undertaken. Since it was developed in 2010, approximately 128 students have graduated with a teaching distinction.