Durham Tech – Duke Teaching Partnership

Durham Tech & Duke

Duke PhD students and postdocs have a long history of teaching at Durham Technical Community College as adjunct instructors. These roles offer a practical way to gain college-level teaching experience in a supportive, student-focused environment. Department chairs at Durham Tech are familiar with working with Duke applicants and welcome inquiries from those who meet the qualifications below. This partnership reflects a shared commitment between Duke and Durham Tech to excellent, inclusive teaching and to serving the educational needs of the Durham community.

Teaching a course at Durham Tech can fulfill the Certificate in College Teaching (CCT) teaching requirement, provided it takes place during the same semester you are enrolled in Teaching Triangles, which supports peer observation and reflection.

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Why This Experience Matters

Serving as an instructor of record at a community college is one of the most direct ways to grow as a teacher. It demonstrates that you have taken full responsibility for a course, worked with a diverse student population, and adapted your teaching to varied instructional needs. For those preparing for faculty roles—especially in teaching-intensive or inclusive institutions—this experience signals both disciplinary expertise and practical teaching skill. It also complements your research training by showing sustained attention to undergraduate learning.

What It’s Like to Teach at a Community College

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Community college classrooms are among the most diverse learning environments in higher education. In a single section, you may teach dual-enrolled high school students alongside retirees, adult learners, ESL students, veterans, and first-generation college students. Academic preparation and life experience vary widely. Many instructors find that this range challenges them to refine their teaching strategies and deepen their responsiveness to students.

Support for First-Time Instructors

Durham Tech welcomes first-time instructors and provides structured onboarding and clear expectations. New instructors can expect access to syllabi, instructional materials, and department resources, as well as mentoring appropriate to their experience level (resources.) While one-term teaching is possible, departments value instructors who return for additional terms, as continuity supports student learning and strengthens instructional experience.

International Students and Postdocs

Students and scholars on F-1 or J-1 visas may be eligible to teach at Durham Tech through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Academic Training. You will need to:

• coordinate well in advance with Duke Visa Services, and
• enroll in GS 798A: Teaching Triangles Internship during the semester of teaching (registration is handled by the Graduate School, not DukeHub)

Policies and Responsibilities

Instructors are expected to follow Durham Tech’s approved course outlines, grading policies, and student conduct expectations. More detailed guidance is provided through department-level instructional materials.

The Graduate School does not regulate external compensated professional development work so long as it does not interfere with satisfactory progress toward the degree. Students are responsible for ensuring compliance with fellowship terms and for informing their advisors as appropriate.

How to Apply

Adjunct hiring is handled at the department level. Department chairs review materials and contact applicants if there is a potential match. Even if no openings are available immediately, CVs are often kept on file for future terms.

Steps & Materials

• Review the range of courses offered by Durham Tech in your teaching area
• Contact the relevant department chair directly (see table below)
• Submit a cover letter indicating courses of interest
• Provide an academic CV
• Include a graduate transcript showing relevant coursework

Typical Timeline

• Fall term – apply in June
• Spring term – apply in September
• Summer term – apply in February