First-ever teaching summit at UWSP

Developing mechanisms to support effective and innovative teaching, improved assessment methods, individualized faculty contracts and refurbishing academic buildings were among the top priorities developed during the recent first-ever teaching summit at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Nearly 200 faculty and staff gathered at UWSP the week before second semester began to address teaching and learning issues. In addition to attending a series of seminars and listening to a keynote address from Stephen Brookfield, nationally known educator and author, the participants formed seven focus groups which addressed a series of prewritten questions.

The discussions centered around methods of support, the teaching-learning environment, assessment, rewards, integration of teaching, scholarship and service, hiring and orientation. First developed by the focus groups, the suggestions were voted on by all the participants. The votes determined the top 10 priorities for supporting excellence in teaching at UWSP.

The most popular suggestions included a teaching partners program, a teaching enhancement center, teaching fellows, mentors, retreats, workshops, books on teaching, interest groups and a faculty club. Recommendations to assist new faculty were improved orientation, lighter workloads, a support program, individualized professional development plans and increased socialization opportunities.

Janet Malone, professor of Health Promotion and Human Development and coordinator of the conference, has been asked to work throughout the semester to bring some of the ideas to fruition.

The summit concluded with a reception and "A Celebration of Teaching," a tribute to past winners of UWSP’s Excellence in Teaching Awards.

Malone was assisted in planning the summit by a 16-member faculty/staff committee.