Training New Writing Instructors with a Model Curriculum
Case Study
The problem: At San Francisco State University, new First-Year Writing instructors were expected to design student-centered courses from scratch using the Canvas LMS—often with little training or support. As an experienced, technology-forward instructor and course designer, I saw an opportunity to help.
My solution: Working with a colleague, I designed a model curriculum for the year-long First-Year Writing 'Stretch' sequence—a two-semester course for students who need more time to develop college-level writing skills. We created turnkey course materials with just-in-time instructions and an onboarding workshop to help new instructors hit the ground running.
The result: New instructors spent less time on prep, felt more confident, and had more space to focus on what matters most—their students.
Client
San Francisco State University — Writing Program
Focus
Instructor Onboarding & Curriculum Design
Role
Curriculum Designer & Workshop Facilitator
Scope
Model Course Design, Instructor Training, Workshop Facilitation, Canvas Course Development
The Challenge
New instructors were tasked with building courses from scratch, often without a clear roadmap or practical guidance. This led to:
High prep time and stress
Inconsistent approaches across sections
Difficulty focusing on student needs instead of logistics
The department needed a solution that would:
Provide consistent, high-quality course materials
Support instructors in reducing prep burden
Balance flexibility with a strong pedagogical foundation
The Opportunity
I was engaged to create a model curriculum and onboarding experience that would simplify course prep, improve instructor confidence, and ensure alignment with departmental learning goals.
My Approach
My goal wasn’t just to hand instructors materials—it was to design a structure that supported teaching decisions, reduced overwhelm, and encouraged ownership.
Key Steps:
Collaborative Curriculum Design: Developed the fall curriculum while aligning closely with my colleague’s spring design for a seamless year-long sequence.
Turnkey Lesson Materials: Created detailed slide decks with embedded instructor annotations (procedural tips, pedagogical reasoning, classroom-tested examples) using the proximity principle for clarity.
Instructor-Friendly Voice: Wrote annotations in an informal, supportive style to anticipate questions and reduce isolation.
Student Work Integration: Included annotated samples of actual student work to preview outcomes and classroom dynamics.
Workshop Rollout: Co-facilitated a hands-on onboarding session, walking new instructors through the curriculum and emphasizing both structure and flexibility.
Scalable Access: Uploaded the complete model course to Canvas Commons for program-wide adoption.
The Results
The model curriculum and onboarding workshop provided immediate relief and long-term benefits for new instructors.
Key Outcomes:
Reduced Prep Time: Instructors could use materials as-is or customize with confidence.
Consistency Across Courses: Alignment ensured shared quality while preserving instructor flexibility.
Instructor Confidence: Materials and workshops minimized overwhelm, helping instructors focus on students.
Positive Reception: New instructors described the resources as “the most detailed and useful” they had seen, enabling them to “focus on students instead of just staying one step ahead.”
A Force Multiplier for Teaching & Student Success
The model curriculum didn’t just solve a short-term onboarding issue—it created a replicable foundation that continues to support instructor success and enhance student learning experiences across the program
