I would have begun by saying it’s hard to believe it’s already December and the waning days of fall quarter, but the snow visible out my window certainly drives the true date home! So I’ll say instead that the quarter has flown by quickly, and I hope you’ve had an enjoyable and productive ride through your own fall journey.

I want to take this opportunity to write about what to expect for next steps on my Faculty Scholar project, as it relies on your support for its success. As a reminder, last year’s Commons Advisory Council developed a framework for inclusive and culturally sustaining teaching, and my task is to assess Evergreen’s current strengths (and implicitly, opportunities for growth) in that area.

The framework builds on three principles for supporting inclusive and culturally sustaining teaching. The first is ongoing professional development – in short, continuous improvement of each teacher’s set of skills and mindset pertaining to reaching underserved student populations. The second is creation, in our classrooms, of an inclusive, supportive, and culturally sustaining learning environment. How do we welcome all our students into our learning communities, honoring their experiences and backgrounds, whatever they may be? The third principle centers how we teach – the use of inclusive and culturally sustaining teaching strategies. What specific practices do we engage in that have a record of lifting up students from underserved populations and helping them attain their educational goals?

My Fall work has focused on developing a plan for assessing current Evergreen practices and better understanding the relevant literature (What is “culturally sustaining” teaching? What specific evidence-based or research-supported teaching practices lead to better student outcomes?). In Winter quarter, I hope to engage with as many of you as I can, through focus groups, individual meetings, etc. to surface ways Evergreen faculty already nurture students from underserved populations that may not have previously come to my attention. Stay tuned! This work will inform development of a survey designed to reach the broadest possible faculty audience. Those survey responses will inform a culminating report that will help establish a snapshot of Evergreen faculty’s current efforts in this area.

I look forward to great conversations in the coming year, and wish you the best as you close out another busy quarter!

The faculty scholar promotes a generative culture of interdisciplinary teaching and learning that is student-centered, equity-minded, inquiry-oriented, and committed to access and excellence. 

Click here for application requirements and sample half-time teaching arrangements. 

Communities of practice are an approach to professional learning that affirms Evergreen’s commitment to learning communities.  Each of our professional journeys are unique – participating in communities of practice presents an opportunity to leverage the diverse knowledge and perspectives of individuals in the service professional growth. 

The Art of Gathering

This community will use Parker’s book, The Art of Gathering, to explore how we can create gatherings with sharp, bold purpose. 

Affective Labor in the Classroom

This community offers an opportunity for teaching faculty who manage affective labor in the classroom to share and support one another.  

Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

The Learning and Teaching commons will host gatherings to reflect on this material and how it impacts our work.  

Join us for a game night in January.  We will have board games, cards and treats!

Friday, Jan 27, 2023 | 4:00 - 6pm PT

Learning and Teaching Commons SEM II E3123

Seeking Student Engagement in Assessment
facilitated by Jaime O'Connor, The Evergreen State College
Wednesday, Feb 8, 2023 | 9:00 - 10:30 am PT

Zoom-Registration Required

The Washington Center Collaborative is a space for higher education faculty, scholars, practitioners, and administrators to discuss emergent issues with colleagues at other campuses. 

Self Reflection: Setting the Stage for Your Teaching Portfolio
Jan 9, 2023 at 3:15 PM - 5:00 PM

Difficult Dialogues in the Classroom (and Beyond!)
Feb 06, 2023 at 3:15 PM - 5:00 PM

Do you have a teaching puzzle? The Learning and Teaching Commons offers individual and small group remote teaching consultations. 

We've pulled together a set of advice, policies, and support resources just in time for evaluation week.  Check it out

For current information about vaccination, masking, testing and other Covid-19 information visit www.evergreen.edu/covid19.

STUDENT RESOURCES 

These individuals and offices are eager to support students. Keep this list handy when advising students or reach out to schedule a visit to your program or course. 

The Learning and Teaching Commons celebrates notable faculty accomplishments through Faculty Notes. Each year we collect notable publications, presentations, appearances, recognitions, awards, exhibits, performances, research, or other accomplishments to celebrate the incredibly talented faculty at Evergreen.