TLC Bi-Weekly Newsletter for Tuesday, January 17th, 2023
Welcome back, K-Staters!
We hope you had a wonderful winter break and are ready to begin the Spring 2023 semester! K-State values excellent teaching, and we at the Teaching & Learning Center (TLC) are here to promote and support your teaching success.
Empathy & Flexibility
The stressors outside the classroom continue, and we acknowledge the effects these circumstances may have on faculty, staff, and students. The TLC advocates for empathy and flexibility as we develop our course syllabi. Consider how your course organization and assignments account for what you and your students may be dealt this semester, whether pandemic-related or otherwise. This may mean that you achieve the student learning outcomes for the course differently than in other semesters, but that attention to possible disruptors or to the different needs of you and your students will make for a strong and successful course.
As you prepare your rigorous and flexible courses, we would like to remind you of several resources across our campus to support you and your teaching:
- Well-being: Lafene Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) are committed to providing mental health services to the K-State community. YOU@K-State is another option. In addition, Human Capital Services offers a wellness portal for faculty and staff as well as links to the Employee Assistance Program.
- International Students and Scholars: International Student and Scholar Services are available for advising.
- Teaching & Learning Toolkit: Our “Mindful Returns” toolkit consists of several resources from offices at K-State and external sources related to Mental Health, Physical Health, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, ad Belonging (DEIB), Empathy, Communication, and Student Success.
- Preparing to Teach: To help prepare for the start of the semester, visit Don Saucier’s YouTube channel, Engage the Sage, specifically for videos pertaining to getting ready for the beginning of the semester.
TLC
Throughout the Spring 2023 semester, we will remain committed to supporting your efforts in teaching, mentoring, and advising through programs, events, and video series. This video explains what the TLC can do for you.
Programs & Events
The Professional Development (PD) Series will occur on Wednesdays at 12 noon via Zoom. All events are free, and no registration is required. The schedule is periodically updated on the Upcoming Events page of our website and on our social media: Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. We hope to see you there.
- On Wednesday, January 18th, Mariya Vaughn and Brent Weaver will lead an event on supporting students who lived through the COVID-19 pandemic in high school.
- On Wednesday, January 25th, Camilla Roberts, the Director of the Honor and Integrity System, will lead a Need-To-Know event on academic integrity.
If you are interested in earning a PD Certificate or in becoming a TLC Fellow for this academic year, check out the requirements on our website.
Engage the Sage Videos to Support Excellent Teaching
We would like to remind you of several video resources as part of Dr. Don Saucier’s YouTube channel, Engage the Sage, that are particularly relevant at the beginning of the semester:
- Making Video Overviews for Your Syllabus (13:02)
- Rocking the First Day (15:30)
- Nurturing Student Voices Early- Even in Large Classes (4:16)
- It's On the Syllabus (8:07)
Thank You & Encouragement
As a K-State community, we continue to offer grace and compassion to one another during these challenging times. We are grateful for your continued support of your students and colleagues and hope you take advantage of the resources available to you at K-State, including us at the TLC, throughout the upcoming semester. Thank you for all you do for your colleagues and our students. And thank you for advancing K-State’s teaching and learning mission with energy and optimism.
Sincerely,