TEACHING MATTERS: 18TH ANNUAL INTERDISCIPLINARY CONFERENCE

Ashley Travis hands out registration information before the conference.
Ashley Travis hands out registration information before the conference.

THE INCLUSIVE ACADEMIC: STRATEGIES FOR MAINTAINING BALANCE IN A CHANGING ACADEMIC WORLD

By: Brittany A. Tennant, Communications Specialist 

Gordon State College hosted the 18th annual Teaching Matters conference, an interdisciplinary teaching and learning Higher Ed conference to engage teaching professionals. The theme for this year's event was “The Inclusive Academic: Strategies for Maintaining Balance in a Changing Academic World.” The conference included Individual Presentations, Panel Sessions, Workshops, Roundtable Discussions and Posters. The conference also touched on innovative and creative pedagogical methods, issues surrounding teaching and learning, and educational theories. anna

More than two-dozen schools were represented in the conference that lasted two days last week. Teaching Matters regularly garners at least 150 participants and is open to all who have a passion for teaching and learning. The conference events were designed so that educators can have meaningful conversations and share approaches for ensuring student success. The conference asked the question “How do we stay on the cutting edge of scholarship in teaching and learning and in our individual disciplines and not find ourselves on the edge of a breakdown?” Session presenters offered strategies and approaches for cultivating professional growth while ensuring life balance, for creating inclusive spaces for students while also navigating the waters of campus politics and culture. 

 “It truly took the entire Gordon State College "village" to run this year's conference,” said CETL Director Dr. Anna Higgins-Harrell.  “I could never list everyone I'm thankful for because so many folks dropped in to offer assistance or to give us a word of encouragement. Twenty-five faculty and two administrators took the time to act as ambassadors and moderators.  Because of them, our conference is the only one that I know of that ensures that every single presenter feels welcome and has an audience--if only of one person.  I'm so thankful for each of you.” roxanne

Dr. Roxanne Donovan, Professor of Psychology & Interdisciplinary Studies at Kennesaw State University and co-founder of WellAcademic, was the Keynote Speaker. The name of her speech was “Five Secrets to Thriving in Stressful Times.” She has more than 20 years of experience teaching, training, and consulting in the areas of health and wellness. Donovan has published numerous titles on mental health; stress; and racism, sexism and other forms of injustice. Her expertise has been shared through national, regional, and local workshops as well as through programming for Georgia Public Broadcasting.  

If you missed the conference you can view a recording to take advantage of the opportunity to learn about an easily accessible solution for online learning at the following link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-lOvPttXN9hn9p7CT17Mxo-1SadMSsCV/view