Whether you are new to teaching or you are a veteran instructor, it is important to lay a solid groundwork at the start of the semester. By creating an environment where students feel safe, supported, and included, we are setting our students and ourselves up for success. The following presentation and workshop resources highlight considerations to get your classes off to a strong start.
Rubrics provide supportive guidelines for students as they complete tasks in our courses. This workshop breaks down the elements of rubrics and highlights ways to bridge the gap between these tools and students.
Feedback promotes growth by not only understanding strengths and challenges, but by devising action plans to move forward stronger. This workshop discusses the positive implications of creating a feedback culture to promoted deeper learning.
Carving out time to examine our practices as educators is vital as it helps us understand and communicate our values and beliefs concerning teaching and learning.
A Community Agreement is a living document of statements that guides how the classroom community members work and interact with each other. These are sometimes referred to as “norms” or “contracts,” but “community agreement” emphasizes inclusivity and a shared commitment → Rules are a top down approach.
This document provides suggestions and considerations for co-creating an inclusive environment with students to promote teaching, learning, and engagement. Small actions we take can be very impactful, so don't underestimate the power of each choice made during class sessions.
Chelsea Balderrama, former NYFA Coordinator and Prima Gonzalez, LA-CETL Director, further explore Inclusive Classroom Practices by focusing on the small, but impactful, choices that can lead to co-constructing an optimal environment for teaching and learning. These steps have many positive implications including classroom management, productive dialoguing, and creating a sense of belonging.
First-Time Instructor Support
If you are a first-time faculty member or new to teaching, please take a moment to reference this document which highlights multiple student-centered and faculty-centered considerations.
The role of the educator has many layers and the journey of learning has no end. NYFA has much support in place to assist you in navigating the expected and unexpected. Consult your department chair, mentioned offices, and CETL as you start and continue your path in this new role. In advance, thank you for all that you do in and out of the classroom!
Would you like to explore any or all of these concepts further? Please contact Prima Gonzalez, your CETL Director: cetl@nyfa.edu.