Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning

Workshop: Surviving to Thriving: Incorporating Trauma-Informed Instructional Practices

Register here.| Facilitator: Rachel Yoho

Whether individual or collective, trauma can have a significant impact on lives and how students (and instructors) show up and are able to engage in the classroom.  In this workshop, we will explore the concept of trauma and how it applies to the classroom, recognize a few common trauma responses, investigate several educational best practices, expand our thinking with resilient pedagogy, and begin to apply these concepts to our own teaching.  Together we will move beyond minimum legal requirements or accommodations to design and implement evidence-based instructional strategies in university education.

*Adding to your calendar will not register you for the event; please register using the link above.

AI Series: ChatGPT, Artificial Intelligence Text Generator Tools, and… Inclusive Teaching?

Register here | Facilitator: Rachel Yoho

Access to artificial intelligence (AI) text generators has upended education – and many other sectors – as much or more than past technology advancements and innovations. Join us in this workshop as we discuss how we continue teaching with impact and to support all students in this new reality. We explore instructional approaches, considerations, and methods to help us teach with less stress and more strategy.

*Adding to your calendar will not register you for the event; please register using the link above.

Workshop: Feel Better, Teach Better: Strategies for Supporting Faculty Mental Health

Register here | Facilitator: Rachel Yoho

Teaching is difficult and often an isolating experienceThere are many mental health issues in academia, particularly related to the situation and the workYet, only student mental health is well studied and discussedIn this workshop, we explore faculty mental health, strategies for improving the environment, and address barriers to addressing concernsPlease note that this is not a self-help or “yoga your way out of stress” workshop and does have discussions of mental health issues and self-harmWhile university resources are shared, this is an academic and professional development workshop, not medical or mental health adviceJoin us to create community and talk about one of the most prevalent, but under-discussed, issues in academia!

*Adding to your calendar will not register you for the event; please register using the link above.

(Re)Designing Syllabi for Inclusive Classrooms that Support Learners and Instructors POSTPONED

Register here. POSTPONED | Facilitator: Rachel Yoho

Are you ready to align your courses with university commitments to inclusive teaching? Or are you developing a new course or submitting an existing one for the new university-wide tags (like Mason Core)? In this workshop, we will work to advance our understanding of inclusive course design and how to improve syllabi to be more inclusive for everyone in the space (including instructors!). During the session, we will have specific discussion time to focus on connecting these ideas with your course and your discipline. At the end of the workshop, participants will leave with a greater understanding of the potential considerations for designing and redesigning inclusive course syllabi and aligning with broader institutional initiatives and expectations.

*Adding to your calendar will not register you for the event; please register using the link above.