"Teaching Between the Heart and Hustle" to Explore Higher Education
How can educators best foster engaging and effective learning experiences in a constantly evolving academic landscape? This central question animated the University of Virginia's 12th Annual Innovations in Pedagogy Summit on April 30, 2025, at Newcomb Hall. The summit, themed "Teaching Between the Heart and Hustle" co-sponsored by the School of Education and Human Development, brought educators together to explore the impactful role of emotions, novel strategies and collaborative practices in higher education.
Furthermore, it served as a key platform for a number of people in the UVA School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) community to share pioneering work and spark new dialogues: Senior Instructional Designer Marjorie Cook, Associate Professor Charlotte Matthews, Assistant Professor Dr. Sara McClellan, and Public Safety & Justice faculty member - and National Academy Instructor for the FBI - Beth Coleman.
Deepening Connections: Emotional Intelligence in Academic Settings
For Beth Coleman, the importance of human connection and emotional awareness in teaching was of paramount importance. Her work fosters leadership skills among law enforcement executives; in her courses on emotional intelligence and the psychology of leadership, she prioritizes building strong interpersonal connections.
"We're very aware of emotions and anxieties and nerves and imposter syndrome," Coleman noted, explaining that addressing these directly allows "the teaching and the instruction [to flow] more organically." She also called attention to Stephen Brookfield’s model of critically reflective teaching, which encourages educators to continually refine their methods through self-awareness, student perspectives, peer collaboration and scholarly research. As such, these educators are better equipped to move beyond ingrained habits or comfort zones.
Enhancing Online Education: Collaborative Design and Creative Structures
In addition, the summit showcased innovative strategies for online learning, with a particular emphasis on thoughtful design and partnership. Together, SCPS Instructional Designer Marjorie Cook and Instructor Charlotte Matthews co-presented on “Collaborative Design for Engagement in Online Learning,” where they shared insights from their redesign of the ISLS 3000 Transformations in Liberal Arts course.
Cook pointed out that "trusting relationships among academic staff is the foundation of building strong experiences for students." To reinforce this foundation, education needs strong tools, leading Matthews to reflect on modules within an online Canvas course, which "create a structure but still leave room for innovation." It’s an encouraging reminder that "being orderly and predictable does not exclude creativity and whimsy."
Furthermore, Cook observed that "small tweaks go a long way when creating good experiences for students in the learning environment." These adjustments, such as reorganizing course material for better clarity, can greatly improve student engagement.
Integrating New Technologies: The Rise of AI in the Classroom
Increasingly, educators are navigating the complexities and opportunities presented by recent technologies. Representing SCPS Public Administration Certificate programs, Sara McClellan discussed their proactive and nuanced approach to Artificial Intelligence in education. Rather than imposing a restrictive policy, these programs advocate for "general AI guidelines" that "emphasize curiosity, inquiry, ethical use and transparency."
This framework encourages students to explore AI's potential responsibly, categorizing uses from "green-lighted" (e.g., for conceptual understanding) to "yellow-lighted" (e.g., for brainstorming), while clearly "red-lighting" plagiarism. McClellan emphasized that with the rapid evolution of AI, "instructors are always going to be learning with and from our students," a practice which necessitates a "facilitative instructional style" and "decenters the instructor experience in new ways." She views SCPS as being "especially well-positioned to pilot new learning experiences" that effectively leverage these emerging tools.
Advancing Pedagogy for a Dynamic Future
The day's interactive sessions and wide-ranging presentations cultivated a vibrant atmosphere of shared learning and professional growth. Beth Coleman said the summit "re-energized" her, particularly when viewing the innovative teaching methods shared by STEM faculty and the "talent and emotional maturity" of the UVA students she met. "It got me thinking in different directions," Coleman said, highlighting the event's role in fostering new insights and a strong educational community.
The 2025 Innovations in Pedagogy Summit at UVA demonstrated that the path to enhanced teaching and learning is paved with thoughtful emotional engagement, robust collaboration, the creative adoption of new tools and a steadfast commitment to reflective practice. By championing these elements, educators at UVA and beyond are well-equipped to enrich the academic experience and prepare students for a dynamic future.