Consider this page your virtual instructional coach: a space where you can reflect on your teaching, explore new strategies, access resources, and take action toward instructional goals.
CFE supports your efforts to enhance your teaching. We'll keep this page updated with relevant information throughout the academic year. Be sure to bookmark it and check back later for new content!
Quick Links
Email Your Questions
Send your questions about teaching and learning to an instructional coach. We will get back to you within 48 business hours.
Request a Coach
Sign up for instructional coaching through CFE's Coaching Collaborative. All coaching is free and confidential. Full-time faculty and full-time staff who also serve as adjunct faculty are eligible.
Monthly Reflection Exercises
Different times of the semester present unique priorities and challenges. Use these monthly reflection exercises to regularly check in with yourself and assess your instructional approach.
"No one belongs here more than you." -Brene Brown
Questions to ask yourself:
- What do you know about your students' goals and interests?
- What strategies are you using to connect with your students?
- Which students are participating and attending regularly? (Why?)
- Which students are not participating and attending regularly? (Why not?)
- How are you attempting to connect with the students who are not engaged?
Things to try:
- Send an email to a student with a note of praise or appreciation.
- Start class on a personal note: greet students at the door, play music, post a question of the day to spark conversation, take a class poll (e.g. Does pineapple belong on pizza?)
- Reach out to students who have been absent or disengaged for a quick check-in.
- Remind students about resources on campus to support their well-being.
“The beginning is the most important part of the work.” -Plato
Questions to ask yourself:
- What is your vision for building a productive learning community this semester?
- When students leave your class at the end of the semester, what do you want them to think or feel?
- What expectations will you set to so students feel safe, included, and respected?
- How do you communicate your expectations in your syllabus and during your first week of classes?
Things to try:
- Backwards Design: Evaluate the learning objectives for your course and how they are communicated to students. Examine how strongly your objectives align with your learning activities/assessments.
- Create a 2-minute welcome video introducing yourself and your goals for the semester.
- Create a syllabus scavenger hunt for students to complete. Use this activity to evaluate what was clear to students and what needs clarifying.
- Create a one-page handout of your syllabus to serve as a quick reference for students.