Near-Peer Teaching Program
Are you passionate about teaching and eager to make a positive impact on your peers’ learning experience? We invite you to participate in the Near Peer Teaching (NPT) Program (formerly known as the “Learning Coaches” program.)
Program Overview:
- The Near Peer Teaching Program is a longitudinal volunteer opportunity that spans from your M2 to M4 years.
- As a participant, you’ll have the chance to contribute to the academic growth of your fellow medical students through various tutoring roles.
- Application opens May 1 and closes on June 15.
Junior Near Peer Teachers: M2s
| Teaching Roles | Gross Anatomy Trainer | Clinical Skills Trainer | Biochemistry Content Review Facilitator | Active Learning Facilitator | One-on-One Tutor |
| Description | Facilitate M1 students’ understanding of anatomy through active questioning, demonstrations, and constructive feedback. | Guide peers in developing clinical skills through practice sessions, student office hours, and one-on-one training. | Leads interactive sessions for M1 students to review and discuss core concepts in biochemistry | Engage in genetics labs and evidence-based teaching journal clubs | Reteach course content to M1, M2, or M3 students in one-on-one meetings, holding student office hours, and/or holding "drop-in" tutoring sessions |
| Modality | In-person | In-person | In-person and virtual | TBD | Virtual |
| Qualifications | End of segment 1 average ≥ 80%. GA Practical Exam ≥ Class Averages for these exams. | N/A | End of segment 1 average ≥ 80% |
| End of segment 1 average ≥ 80% |
| Est. Time Commitment | 18 hours per year. (Cover 3 labs during HBF-I and 3 labs during HBF-II. Excludes covering GA labs during Step 1 dedicated period) | 15 hours per year. | 15 hours per year | 15 hours per year/term | 3 hours per session (including prep time) |
| Director | Dr. Paul Walker | Dr. Erin Miller Dr. Daniel DeWeert | Dr. Sharon Ackerman | Dr. Laura Benjamins Dr. Michelle Cichon | Dr. Marissa Zhu Ms. Tonya Anderson |
Senior Near Peer Teaching (NPT) Roles: M3s and M4s
| Teaching Roles | Advanced Gross Anatomy Trainer | Advanced Clinical Skills Trainer | Step 1 Content Review Facilitator | Step Prep Mentor | One-on-One Tutor |
| Description | Facilitate M1 students’ understanding of anatomy through active questioning, demonstration, and constructive feedback. | Guide peers in developing clinical skills through practice sessions, curriculum development, student office hours, and one-on-one training. | Model test-taking strategies in USMLE-stye content review sessions for M2 students | Provide one-on-one study skills support, constructive feedback, and Step 1 advice to M2 students. | Reteach course content to M1, M2, or M3 students in one-on-one meetings, holding student office hours, and/or holding "drop-in" tutoring sessions |
| Modality | In-person | In-person | Virtual or in-person | In-person and virtual | Virtual |
| Qualifications | End of segment 2 average ≥ 80%. GA Practical Exam ≥ Class Averages for these exams. | N/A | End of segment 2 average ≥ 80% | N/A | End of segment 1 average ≥ 80% |
| Est. Time Commitment | 18 hours per year. (Includes opportunities to help set-up and proctor practical exams) | 15 hours per year. | 4 hours per session (including prep time). | 12 hours over course of program (Dec – Mar) | 3 hours per session (including prep time) |
| Director | Dr. Paul Walker | Dr. Erin Miller Dr. Daniel DeWeert | Dr. Marissa Zhu Dr. Jean Nelson-Peduzzi | Dr. Marissa Zhu Ms. Tonya Anderson | Dr. Marissa Zhu Ms. Tonya Anderson |
Why Join the Near Peer Teaching (NPT) Program?
- MSPE Designation*
- Volunteer Hours Matter on ERAS
- Reinforce Your Own Learning
- Network with faculty
- Opportunity to be featured in our Student Teacher series
- Exclusive access to tools and technology (Amboss, Canva, Session Lab, ScholarRx Bricks, etc.)
- Exclusive access to teaching resource library
- Opportunity to attend virtual hands-on Teacher Toolkit workshops**
* In order to receive your MSPE designation, you must complete a total of 15 hours of teaching by the beginning of your M4 year (March). Students (co 2025) who have participated in previous Learning Coaches program have already earned their MSPE designation.
**Workshops count towards volunteer hours
Don’t miss this opportunity to shape the future of medical education while enhancing your own skills. To join the Near Peer Teaching Program, please fill out the application—click the button below.