The Center for Teaching and Learning and the Office of Academic Leadership and Faculty Affairs invite applications for a spring book circle on the new book “The Present Professor.” In a world where stress is unavoidable, this timely book offers much-needed guidance for cutting through the emotional static that can hold teachers back. A specialist in pedagogical strategies with extensive classroom experience, author Elizabeth A. Norell explains how an educator’s presence, or authenticity, can be critical to creating transformational spaces for students. And presence, she argues, means uncovering and understanding one’s own internal struggles and buried insecurities, stresses often left unconfronted in an academic culture that values knowing over feeling. Presenting research on how and why such inner work unlocks transformational learning, “The Present Professor” equips educators with the tools for crafting a more authentic presence in their teaching work.
There are two possible sections for this book club. Each will meet for five sessions beginning the week of Feb. 3: Wednesdays (in person) from 2-3 p.m. or Fridays (via Zoom) from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Participants will be provided with a free copy of the book (hard copy or electronic).
Those interested in joining can fill out this application.