There are times in our teaching when current events and tragedies weigh heavily on all of our minds and hearts, and students may seek community and perspective from their instructors and classmates. The resources below can help instructors feel better prepared and equipped to open up space in the classroom for facilitating challenging conversations that are respectful and productive.

For further support, we welcome you to make a one-on-one consultation with one of our ed developers or find community in one of our many workshops.

Make a Plan

Teaching in Tumultuous Times Videos

As human beings, ongoing global and national events—such as elections, wars, and political conflict—can significantly impact our emotions. Even if you do not teach a course directly related to current events, you may find that your students are discussing these issues with each other and want you to acknowledge what is happening and its impact on them and their communities. Therefore, preparing ourselves and our students for any moments of conflict and emotional intensity that may arise is helpful. This CAT Tip Series, Teaching in Tumultuous Times, was created to provide concrete steps and strategies for preparing ourselves and our students for challenging conversations and hot moments. Whenever there is a presidential election, for example, we recommend that you make a plan for election day and the days following. Whatever the outcome, it will be on everyone’s minds, so how can you prepare for productive discussions and respond to any hot moments that may erupt in the classroom?

From setting the tone through your syllabus to cultivating self-awareness about your body’s responses and practicing ways to regulate yourself and de-escalate tensions in the classroom, we hope these videos help you feel better equipped to navigate teaching in these tumultuous times. Preparing ourselves by creating discussion agreements and knowing some practices for managing hot moments can help us facilitate productive discussions, but community is also key. We encourage you to find a community of people you can go to for support and perspective, as these discussions can impact your own well-being. Consider making a plan for how you will care for yourself while also making an effort to check in with your students and direct them to campus offices and services they may find helpful at this time, such as IDEAL, Tuttleman Counseling, and the Wellness Resource Center.

As always, we invite you to connect with us at the the CAT, where we are here to support you in person and online through 1-1 consults, open lab hours, and workshops.