by Christopher Grabau, Program Director, Reinert Center The final weeks of any semester bring a whirlwind of responsibility. Between exams, grading, and end-of-term tasks, it often feels like an endless to-do list. For graduate student instructors (GSIs), the stakes are even higher. They are often juggling teaching responsibilities alongside their own coursework and program demands. … Continue reading Prioritizing Teaching Development: End-of-Semester Mentoring for Graduate Student Instructors
Category: Tips on Teaching
A Little Bit Goes a Long Way in Supporting Student Well-Being
Beth Petitjean, Digital Learning Specialist, Reinert Center Despite having been an undergraduate student many moons ago, it wasn’t until I started teaching that I ever considered student well-being. I’ve often wondered how many of my teachers ever intentionally considered it either. Looking back to my undergraduate years in Pennsylvania as a theater major, there is… Continue reading A Little Bit Goes a Long Way in Supporting Student Well-Being
Resourced Revisited: Planning for the First Week of Classes
by Nicole States, Instructional Developer, Reinert Center The Resources Revisited series highlights existing resources available to the SLU community that may be especially timely or useful at certain points in the academic year. As the start of the Fall 2025 semester is approaching, now is a good time to think about how you will set… Continue reading Resourced Revisited: Planning for the First Week of Classes
For Your Summer Reading Pleasure
For Your Summer Reading Pleasure - Book Review of Catherine J. Denial, A Pedagogy of Kindness (2024), volume 1 in the Teaching, Engaging, and Thriving in Higher Ed Series by Beth Petitjean, Digital Learning Specialist, Reinert Center Summertime! Although the livin’ might not be as seemingly idyllic as a Gershwin tune, the pace of academic… Continue reading For Your Summer Reading Pleasure
Intention Clarification and the Benefits of Non-Content Communication
by Mitch Lorenz, Instructional Developer, Reinert Center Summer is here! Somehow, it is already June and, for those teaching on 9-month contracts, it is time for that annual summer tradition of kicking back, relaxing, and engaging in deep reflection on teaching. This might include revisiting the Reinert Center’s online resources as you brainstorm ways to… Continue reading Intention Clarification and the Benefits of Non-Content Communication
Resources Revisited: Course Design
by Robert Cole, Program Director, Reinert Center The Resources Revisited series highlights existing resources available to the SLU community that may be especially timely or useful at certain points in the academic year. As many of us close out the semester and move into the summer, we begin thinking about – now that we have… Continue reading Resources Revisited: Course Design
Brain Freeze Moments: Supporting Neurodivergent Students in Group Discussions
by Nicole States, Instructional Developer, Reinert Center I am neurodivergent, I have an auditory processing disorder and a weak working memory. This means that communicating in group discussions is difficult for me. I wasn’t diagnosed until my late 20s, but reflecting on my life and academics since then has helped me see where I clearly… Continue reading Brain Freeze Moments: Supporting Neurodivergent Students in Group Discussions
What I’ve Been Reading
by Robert Cole, Program Director, Reinert Center Now that spring break has passed, it may be time to begin thinking about what to read later in the semester, after finals. I’ve been reading three books over the last few weeks that I’d be happy to recommend. The first book I’d like to share with you… Continue reading What I’ve Been Reading
Teaching Authentically: Strategies to Remain Present in Uncertain Times
by Christopher Grabau, Program Director, Reinert Center Educators in higher education are navigating an increasingly complex landscape, where faculty and graduate student instructors must balance demands ranging from maintaining academic integrity and designing effective assessments, to fostering meaningful student engagement. These challenges are compounded by broader societal stresses and uncertainties, which affect both students and… Continue reading Teaching Authentically: Strategies to Remain Present in Uncertain Times
Supporting Neurodiversity Using UDL: An Exercise in “Where Do I Begin?”
by Mitch Lorenz, Instructional Developer, Reinert Center Winter break approaches and, with it, comes the Reinert Center’s annual Winter Institute. This half-day institute is tailored to match the Reinert Center’s annual theme. This year’s theme is “Teaching, Learning, and Neurodiversity” and the Winter Institute will focus on applying Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to support… Continue reading Supporting Neurodiversity Using UDL: An Exercise in “Where Do I Begin?”
The Notebook 