As we embark on a new academic year together, remember that you are not alone as you and your students continue to navigate challenging moments and trends in today’s rapidly evolving world. Practicing self-care, honoring boundaries, and staying up to date about campus resources for faculty, staff, and students is essential to promoting both individual and collective sustainability and wellbeing on campus.
Explore the CTL's portable Crisis Pedagogy Resources, reflective Trauma-Informed Pedagogy booklet, and upcoming Teaching in Times of Crisis Workshops (Part 1 & Part 2) to learn actionable strategies for navigating difficult times and conversations. By proactively integrating these recommended reflective activities and teaching strategies into our courses, we can better address the needs of our students and foster more empathetic, responsive learning spaces. Read more about upcoming fall workshops and available resources below:
Workshops
Teaching in Times of Crisis Workshop: Part 1
Sept. 19 | 1:00 - 3:00pm | Zoom
This event is co-facilitated by the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), the Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC), the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), and the Office of the Dean of Students (DoS). We will discuss ways to identify and regulate bodily stress responses, process how to navigate ongoing and unexpected difficult moments in the classroom and on campus, and explore strategies for designing and facilitating courses with flexibility, compassion, and instructor and student wellbeing in mind. Learn more and RSVP here.
Teaching During Times of Crisis: Part 2
Oct. 10 | 1:00 - 3:00 pm | In-Person
During this in-person follow-up session, we will apply recommended wellness and teaching strategies to our current and future course design. There will be space for processing and community-building over light refreshments. While the 9/19 session is not a prerequisite for attending the 10/10 session, participants will benefit from deeper, sustained reflection across sessions and are highly encouraged to attend both sessions. Learn more and RSVP here.
Resources:
Teaching In Times of Crisis: Course Facilitation
TeachinginTimesofCrisisCourseFacilitation.pdf
This resource offers strategies for instructors responding to crisis situations while teaching.
Teaching in Times of Crisis: Course Design
TeachinginTimesofCrisisCourseDesign.pdf
This resource recommends tools for instructors designing or redesigning courses with crisis preparedness in mind.
Trauma-Informed Pedagogy (TIP)
This reviews the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) "6 Principles of Trauma," which should motivate and shape trauma-informed teaching methods.
Campus Partners:
As you practice personal and professional self-care, explore the wide range of resources and support accessible to all instructors across campus, including those provided through the Employee Assistance Program, Faculty Ombuds, Staff Ombuds, Longhorn Wellness Center, and the HealthPoint Wellness Program.