Spring 2026 CAT Book Discussions
|
|
|
As you settle into the start of a new semester, the CAT invites you to join one of two faculty reading groups this term. These groups are capped at 15 participants, so we encourage you to register as soon as possible and only if you are able to attend every meeting. You will receive a free copy of the book, learn about an issue of importance to your teaching, and strengthen your connections with colleagues across campus.
|
|
|
|
|
Joy-Centered Pedagogy in Higher Education
|
Meets six times this semester on Wednesdays (1/28, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25, 3/4, & 3/18) from 3:30-4:30 pm in ZSR 665 (Faculty Commons Classroom inside the Faculty Commons space in the ZSR Wilson Wing).
|
Focusing on topics as diverse as joyful silence, embodied learning, unlearning failure, and student-authored stand-up comedy, this volume offers 15 essays of inspiration and practical guidance for reorienting teaching around joy in order to become more welcoming, inclusive, effective, and fulfilled instructors.
Let’s meet to discuss and experiment with joy as a unique lens for understanding teaching and learning.
|
|
|
|
|
Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic and What We Can Do About It
|
Meets 3 times this semester (2/3, 2/17 & 3/3) on Tuesday from 2:00-3:00 pm in ZSR 665 (Faculty Commons Classroom inside the Faculty Commons space in ZSR Wilson Wing).
|
Join your colleagues to explore how the relentless pressure to perform impacts our students’ mental health and sense of “mattering.” During these sessions, we’ll examine Wallace’s research on the “achievement trap” and discuss practical ways we might work to shift our campus culture from high-pressure competition to healthy excellence. We’ll talk about reframing our pedagogical approaches to prioritize resilience, belonging, and the intrinsic value of learning over a narrow focus on grades and credentials.
|
|
|
Advancing passionate, reflective, and evidence-informed teaching that prepares all students to live examined, purposeful lives.
|
|
|
|
|
