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Meet Amanda Binns: Education Development Lead, Clinical Teaching

Learn more about our newest team member, the Program Lead for Teaching and Learning in the Clinical Context (TLC) and Stepping Stones: Foundations in Education!

Could you tell us about your background and what led you to the CFD in this new role?

Sure! I have really enjoyed holding different roles, as a clinician, researcher, and educator. Much of the work I have engaged in across these three roles has drawn from the interprofessional and collaborative clinical experiences – working with autistic individuals and their families. My program of research, and education/teaching efforts have focused on creating more compassionate, individualized, and evidence-informed care experiences for neurodivergent clients and their families. I also hold an Assistant Professor appointment at University of Toronto. The role at CFD enables me to extend my education expertise and passion into the field of faculty development, supporting our participants in their education roles and activities.

Could you explain your role at the CFD?

I am program lead for two foundational programs offered at CFD: Teaching and Learning in the Clinical Context (TLC), and the Stepping Stones: Foundations in Education program. As part of the education development team, I also work with colleagues to create new educational offerings that address current system needs.

What excites you as the new program lead for Stepping Stones and TLC?

The programs are uniquely positioned to support health professionals grow, and integrate the different roles they may hold – as a clinician, an educator, a researcher, a leader and advocate.

Who would benefit most from taking these programs?

TLC was designed to support health professionals who are also taking on education roles (e.g., supervisors, preceptors). Specifically, it aims to support clinicians: develop the knowledge and skills needed to teach across a variety of clinical contexts, and recognize how to be adaptive clinical teachers, responsive to unique contextual and learner needs. The upcoming cohort is actually open for registration, and closes November 30th for those interested!

Stepping Stones is designed as an introductory level program as well. Any health professional would benefit from this program! It provides support in their multiple education roles and activities including teaching, education scholarship, advocacy and academic leadership allowing a great foundation of knowledge to apply to their roles.

The new cohort of TLC starts in January 2025 (click here to learn more and register), what can participants expect from this program?

TLC is offered as a 12week hybrid course – consisting of e-learning and facilitated synchronous sessions. The flexibility of the asynchronous e-modules enables busy clinicians and clinical-educators (often with inconsistent and/or unpredictable working hours) to engage with the content at times that align with their schedules. While the synchronous virtual sessions (offered virtually) enable participants to collaborate, ask questions and consolidate their learning in an interprofessional environment.

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