Teachers Talking

Good Conversation. Free Lunch.

The Kendall Center’s "Teachers Talkings" are opportunities for faculty and staff to share information with colleagues that is relevant to teaching in its broadest form (e.g, advising, assessment, student support, etc.). Please email Patricia English-Schneider or Dan Moos if you are interested in leading a "Teachers Talking" session or have an idea for a session you would like someone else to lead. All ideas are welcomed and encouraged!

Free Lunch at Three Crowns Buffet, then meet in St Peter Room

Fall 2022

Thursday, September 15th at 2:30 p.m.
Nobel 58 Co-Chairs and committee members will provide insight into the 2022 conference theme "Mental Health (In)Equity in Youth." We will address the Nobel speaker line-up, interactive workshops, as well as provide helpful access to resources for faculty to incorporate in classes by topic: trauma, identity, technology, youth, ethnicity, dis/ability, sexuality, gender, sports, technology & disability, racism & trauma, public health, to name a few.

Tuesday, October 11th at 2:30 p.m. (President's Dining Room PDR)
Empowering student voters
This discussion will give you resources to integrate voter engagement–and civic engagement more broadly–into any classroom. We’ll review the benefits of civic engagement for students and society, strategies for discussing voting in a non-partisan manner, and effective methods of encouraging informed voting on issues important to students.

Thursday, October 27th at 2:30 p.m.
Integrating Teaching and Research
A discussion about ways to integrate your research into your courses.

Friday, November 11th at 11:30 a.m.
Challenge Seminar: Questions and Answers
What is teaching a Challenge Seminar like? When should students take Challenge Seminars? What role do Challenge Seminars play in our General Education curriculum as a whole? Whether you have already taught a Challenge Seminar, plan to teach one in the future or just curious, please join Challenge Seminar Program director Laura Burrack for an informal discussion focused on Challenge Seminars. She will share and answer some commonly asked questions, and there will be lots of time for audience questions too.

Spring 2023

Friday, February 17th at 12:30 p.m.
DEI as a Foundation of Pedagogy

Tuesday, February 21st at 2:30 p.m.
Designing Research Assignments and Teaching Information Literacy

Friday, March 10th at 11:30 a.m.
Stronger Partnerships in Community-Engaged Learning
Maintaining productive partnerships in the community is perhaps the most vital aspect of community-engaged learning. Unfortunately, it is often the most overlooked. Join us for insights into starting a partnership off on the right foot, techniques for setting and managing partner expectations, and how to ensure the needs of the community are at the center of your CEL work. We'll hear from experienced community partners directly about what works (and what doesn't!) in their collaborations with Gustavus students and faculty.

Thursday, March 23rd at 2:30 p.m.
Designing Small Group Assignments
Designing small group assignments for college courses can be challenging due to the diverse ways that students engage learning. However, the benefits of small group work and collaborative student learning are many. In this Teachers Talking Session, Amanda Nienow and Patricia English-Schneider will discuss ways to design small group assignments that are intentional, equitable and that integrate course content with a focus on the small group process. The facilitators will also provide some tips for creating small group assignments and describe examples of group assignments that they incorporated into their classes in chemistry and communication studies. The workshop is intended for faculty who want to gain an understanding of the benefits of small group work and for those interested in developing and implementing small group assignments in their classes.

Tuesday, April 11th at 2:30 p.m.
Nobel Conference 2023

Friday, April 14th at 11:30 p.m.
WRITL and WRITD: Which is Right for Me?
Writing is an essential component of the Challenge Curriculum. All students must complete at least four WRIT designated courses, at least one of which must be WRITL. In this Teachers Talking, we will help faculty members decide which WRIT designations fit their courses and give practical suggestions for proposing and teaching WRITL courses. Nissa Parmar (WAC Director) will address the differences between WRITL and WRITD and provide information about adding one of these designations to your course. Laura Burrack (Biology and Chal Director) will talk about teaching WRITL and WRITD in science courses and Challenge Seminars. The workshop is intended for anyone considering or currently teaching a WRITD or WRITL course as well as anyone interested in just learning more about writing in the Challenge Curriculum.

Friday, April 28th at 12:30 p.m.
Strategies for Group Discussion
Even while students desire more class engagement and value sharing their learning with their classmates, sometimes getting students to contribute to meaningful group discussions can feel like pulling teeth. Join Sarah Wolter (Communication Studies) and Kathy Lund Dean (E/M) for, well, a group discussion about strategies that enhance student discussions in any type of course.