Leland Jaffe, DPM, FACFAS, CWSP’s Post

Are you a new faculty member in #highereducation? This blog post was written for you. I've compiled a list of 11 tips to help you hit the ground running during your first year in academia! 'How To Thrive In Your First Year As A New Faculty Member In Higher Ed'

Are you considering a Master’s in Education or a Master’s in Special Education? Our latest blog post compares these two advanced degrees, highlighting the benefits, requirements and career opportunities. Learn how each degree can enhance your professional journey and open new doors in the field of education. #Education #SpecialEducation #ProfessionalDevelopment #MastersDegree

"Think back to your own time as an undergraduate—chances are you can easily recall both your best and worst instructors. Students often express frustration, wondering why certain faculty members remain in the classroom despite consistently poor teaching performance. This speaks to the broader issue: while we can recognize bad instruction, higher education lacks a consistent mechanism for addressing it. However, it’s crucial to note that effective teaching is not synonymous with an easier, less rigorous experience. In fact, the most impactful instructors are often those who set high academic standards while still fostering an engaging, supportive learning environment. Their success lies not in lowering the bar but in helping students rise to meet it. Professional development in teaching should be a required component of faculty training, and performance should be regularly evaluated through both formative and summative assessments. Tying salary increases to measurable improvement and teaching effectiveness is a crucial step toward ensuring accountability and fostering growth in instructional quality." ~An esteemed management professor told me years ago that financial awards are short-term sugar highs that often do not have lasting performance effects. Never mind the fact that financial awards in this instance are paying faculty extra for what they should already be doing.

"Why aren’t faculty trained to teach?" This is the question that Nicholas Ladany asks in his recent Forbes article. He covers a number of reasons why teaching tends to be treated as an ancillary endeavor in higher education before concluding that "the most fundamental reason for the lack of teaching training is that we lack a standardized definition of what effective teaching looks like." This friends, THIS, is exactly why the Critical Teaching Behaviors (#CTB) project exists and why it matters. Before we can support faculty in becoming effective instructors, we have to know what good teaching is. Before we can develop metrics to evaluate and reward it, we need to have a common language in which to discuss it. The #CTB framework does that. In one page, it summarizes a vast body of research on teaching strategies that support student success. It gives you definitions, strategies, and artifacts to collect all on that one page. The aligned peer observation and student feedback instruments move us toward an evaluation of teaching that includes the valuable perspectives of peers and students while also making space for instructor voices to be heard in these reports. When we don't start with a shared understanding of what good teaching is and we jump to develop evaluation tools without ensuring we're grounding those tools in evidence-based practice, we risk inadvertently stunting teaching innovation on our campuses or replicating biases we're working hard to eliminate. The #CTB project gives you the tools you need to have more productive conversations about how to evaluate and reward teaching. This is why Claudia and I are so passionate about this work. Like Ladany, we believe that "higher education must evolve to prioritize teaching excellence, not just for the benefit of students, but for the future of academia itself." And that evolution must start with establishing a shared understanding of what constitutes good teaching.

My pedagogical training consisted of a two day workshop and a semester long one hour per week practicum that focused mainly on sharing writing activity ideas to use in the composition classes we were teaching. It wasn't until I signed up for the Auburn University Biggio Center Course ReDesign that I learned how to design learning experiences that leveraged the expertise I had developed through my studies and research. I gained so much more confidence and was able to use design to solve my biggest issues and disconnects with students (e.g. spending all my time grading essays without a clear sense of how my feedback was being taken). It was such a transformative experience I changed my career from teaching to teaching other faculty how to teach. Not much has changed in terms of our higher ed systems but so much has changed in terms of the integration of technology and teaching (thanks to Covid, social media, and AI). There's never been a bigger need for institutions to define teaching excellence in their context and support faculty and students to better understand the science of learning and design principles. As breakthroughs in cognitive science and educational research make clearer the link between effective teaching and lasting learning, I look forward to a day where great teaching and great teachers are celebrated at the institutional level as much as great research and great researchers!

In a recent Forbes article, contributing writer and San Francisco Bay University President Nicholas Ladany explains that while most college professors agree that education is essential for learning and performance, many still need formal training in effective #teaching practices. He emphasizes that teaching is more than mastering content—it requires communicating, inspiring students, and adapting to their diverse learning needs. We know that effective teaching is critical for #studentsuccess and among the many levers colleges can pull to improve student outcomes, effective teaching is often overlooked. This can be highly detrimental, as evidence-based teaching practices can make the difference between failure and success for many students. What happens when teaching isn’t overlooked? Students, faculty, and institutions thrive. How do we know? We’ve seen the outcomes among our 560+ #college, #university, and system partners with faculty certified in ACUE’s Effective Practice Framework—the nation’s only teaching certification endorsed by the American Council on Education. These outcomes show that effective teaching increases retention, lowers DFW rates, reduces equity gaps, and can boost institutional revenue by over $600,000 in just one year. And what do faculty have to say? Instructors certified in ACUE’s Framework report greater self-efficacy, confidence, and a growth mindset in themselves and their students. Explore the results and impact in our Great Teaching Movement Toolkit (https://lnkd.in/gwtAqFAa).

🍀 The Role of an Educator: Committed to Shaping the Future 🍀 In today's demanding world, everyone strives to manage their personal responsibilities and family needs. Yet, educators stand out for their unique and profound commitment. Their primary responsibility extends beyond the confines of traditional teaching; it involves giving from the heart and ensuring a positive impact on their students' lives. Educators are entrusted with the vital task of shaping the future by guiding students through both academic and personal growth. Their role encompasses much more than delivering lessons. It includes providing emotional support, offering mentorship, and serving as role models. This commitment requires a deep emotional investment and a genuine passion for nurturing young minds. The essence of being an educator lies in the dedication to positively influencing students. Educators pour their hearts into their work, focusing on the well-being and development of each student. They go above and beyond to create a supportive and inspiring learning environment, helping students navigate their academic journeys and personal challenges. In fulfilling their roles, educators contribute significantly to the future of our society. Their efforts in fostering a positive and impactful learning experience are crucial to student development. It is a responsibility that demands not only skill and knowledge but also a profound dedication to the growth and success of their students. As we embark on a new academic year, I want to extend my heartfelt wishes to all educators. May this year be filled with inspiring moments, rewarding experiences, and continued success in your vital role of shaping the future.

Just a reminder: Most professors aren't trained to teach. "Why aren’t faculty trained to teach? In my experience, the reasons are varied. A significant factor lies in how faculty performance is evaluated—teaching is often not considered a key determinant of professional success by either faculty or administrators. In many cases, there are few tangible rewards for excelling in the classroom; strong teaching rarely leads to salary increases in the same way that publishing an article or securing a research grant might."

NEW BLOG POST! When I first entered the world of higher education in 2015, I didn't have an understanding of the role that co-curricular activities play in student success. In fact, I don't think I even knew the definition of co-curricular! In the realm of higher education, the term "co-curriculum" refers to the types of activities and experiences that complement the standard curriculum but fall outside the traditional classroom setting. This blog post will focus on defining co-curricular activities as well as outlining examples that may benefit students in higher education. https://lnkd.in/ggjHnX6h #highereducation #higherlearning #curriculum #cocurricular

Why University Teaching Can Be More Rewarding Than Academia and Research Choosing between university teaching and research is deeply personal, shaped by individual goals and values. For many, university teaching offers unique rewards: ✅ Direct Impact: Teaching inspires students, shapes their intellectual growth, and provides the gratification of seeing them succeed. ✅ Balanced Work Environment: Structured schedules and diverse responsibilities make teaching dynamic and engaging. ✅ Job Stability: Predictable funding and institutional support reduce stress compared to grant-dependent research roles. ✅ Collaboration & Community: Teaching fosters meaningful interactions with students, peers, and communities. ✅ Reduced Research Pressures: Fewer demands for publication or grant writing allow educators to focus on pedagogy. ✅ Creativity: Course design and interdisciplinary opportunities let teachers innovate in their classrooms. ✅ Work-Life Balance: Academic calendars provide flexibility and ample breaks. ✅ Broader Impact: Teaching empowers individuals and communities, extending knowledge beyond academia. ✅ Mentorship: Building personal connections with students offers long-term fulfillment. ✅ Teaching Excellence: Refining pedagogy ensures lasting contributions to education. While research drives knowledge forward, teaching focuses on transforming lives. For those who value direct interaction and societal impact, university teaching can be the perfect choice. 🌟 #Education #UniversityTeaching #AcademicLife