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Education Microbiology Educator Exchange

A Teaching and Learning Community

Our Work

The Microbiology Educator Exchange empowers educators to learn, collaborate and innovate together. Through convenient, facilitated online communities, participants share challenges and successes, workshop new approaches and develop practical tools and strategies that advance teaching excellence and improve student learning.

I Want To

Transform Your Teaching Through Peer-Powered Learning

Join a 13-week collaborative learning experience designed to help educators connect with peers, adapt or exchange ideas and develop practical teaching resources they can immediately apply in their classrooms.

Register for the Fall 2026 Cohort

Register Now

Program Format

Kickoff Session

All participants come together for a virtual opening session to:

  • Meet fellow educators.
  • Learn about the program structure and expectations.
  • Join a small, facilitated exchange group.
  • Begin exploring the session topic.

Biweekly Small-Group Exchanges

Over the next 13 weeks, participants meet in small online groups every other week to:

  • Discuss challenges and opportunities related to the topic.
  • Share successful practices and classroom experiences.
  • Workshop ideas with peers.
  • Develop practical resources, tools and strategies for teaching.

Closing Showcase

At the end of the program, all participants reconvene to:

  • Share key insights and takeaways.
  • Highlight teaching resources or materials developed during the exchange.
  • Learn from the work of other groups.
  • Celebrate achievements and community learning.

Fall 2026 Program Information

Topic: Classroom Assessment

Participants will address 1 broad educational topic during each educator exchange session, and each small group will work with a facilitator to collaboratively identify specific sub-topics to explore and workshop. Groups may consider exploring or workshopping subtopics that include:
  • Alternative grading approaches.
  • Concept inventories (CIs).
  • Applications of artificial intelligence (AI) to assessment.
  • Assessment of CUREs.
  • Strategies for teaching with case studies.
Group facilitators will guide discussions, help groups identify areas of focus and support collaborative problem solving. They will also coordinate scheduling, maintain shared resources and ensure participants have the tools needed to engage effectively throughout the exchange.

Cost

For the Fall, 2026 program only, registration is free for ASM members.

Program Detail Date (2026)
Applications Due Wednesday, Aug. 5,
5 p.m. ET
Notifications of Acceptance Sent Week of Aug. 17
Required Introductory Online Meeting Monday, Sept. 14,
2–3 p.m. ET
Small Group Meetings* Sept. 15–Dec. 4
Required Concluding Meeting Monday, Dec. 7,
2–3 p.m. ET

*There will be 6 small group meetings between Sept. 15–Dec. 4, 2026, scheduled by the facilitator and based on attendee availability. Minimum required attendance is 4 small group meetings.

Learning Goals

By the end of this program, participants will:

  • Strengthen their professional network.
  • Improve awareness of tangible resources to support scholarly teaching.
  • Create or adapt ideas, resources and implementation strategies for improved student learning.
  • Gain a renewed sense of motivation and confidence in applying scholarly teaching approaches.

Certificate of Completion

Participants who complete all program components will receive an ASM Microbiology Educator Exchange certificate of completion recognizing their engagement and professional development in the session's focus area.

Eligibility

Faculty (at any career stage) and postdocs interested in undergraduate teaching careers who are ASM members.

Contact ASM Education

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