Welcome to TSTM Essentials!

The TSTM Essentials Project utilizes the Teaching Skills That Matter framework as we collaborate with instructors and program leaders to support innovative curriculum design, effective instructional delivery, and reflective teaching practices. Teaching Skills That Matter is a national initiative that focuses on research-based teaching methods and standards-aligned curriculum and content that are engaging and relevant for all adult learners.

The Components That Make Up TSTM

Nine Central Skills

- Adaptability and willingness to learn
- Communication
- Critical thinking
- Interpersonal skills
- Navigating systems
- Problem-solving
- Processing and analyzing information
- Respecting differences and diversity
- Self-awareness

Five Key Topic Areas

- Civics education
- Digital literacy
- Financial literacy
- Health literacy
- Workplace preparation

Three Approaches That Work

- Integrated and contextualized instruction
- Problem-based learning
- Project-based learning

How Does TSTM Essentials Support You?

In TSTM Essentials, you will learn strategies to customize the TSTM Components and build lessons that best fit your instructional setting. We provide focused workshops on the Nine Central Skills and each of the Three Approaches. Workshop participants also have access to optional instructional coaching. Visit our Get Involved page to learn more. TSTM Essentials workshops, presentations, and coaching are fully aligned with New Mexico’s Professional Competencies for adult educators and can be incorporated into Professional Learning Plans.

TSTM Essentials can also give you ideas about how to integrate the Five Key Topics into your teaching. Visit our Resources page to access model CCRS/ELPS-aligned lesson plans from the free TSTM Toolkit and to see videos of the topics in action.