Adler University Library: Inclusive, Socially Just Teaching: Teaching Circles

Teaching Circles

What they are:

Teaching circles provide an opportunity for a group of faculty to learn, adopt, and refine specific pedagogical practices among a community of peers.

How they work:

Group members explore a particular approach or strategy they want to use in their classrooms. They read about it together, and individual members commit to making a specific change to their teaching.

Group meets regularly to give updates and provide responses to plans.

Individual members make a change, try something new, add specific texts, etc. while being observed by a colleague.

Group members then observe each other, provide feedback, and reflect on the relationship between teacher practices and student outcomes.

With feedback and reflection, individual members adapt and adopt new practices.

Potential Circle Topics

Anti Racist Pedagogy

Social Justice Pedagogy

Mitigating Stereotype Threat

Equitable Student Engagement

Equitable Assessment

How to Facilitate Race Talk

Getting Started

Work with Dr. Cheryl Richardson, and she will assist with texts, topics and processes.

Start with a self-assessment.

Self-Assessment

In order to specify an area of focus for yourself, read a relevant text, consider responding to the questions below, identify a change you want to make, and share your responses and/or goal with the group.

Why am I drawn to this topic? Am I curious? Am I reacting to something that has happened?
What are the key principles?
Which of these am I already practicing? Where is evidence of this?
Which elements am I missing? Are any or all of them relevant to the way that I teach or to my discipline? Would they improve student experience or understanding in my courses?
Which aspect do I want to learn more about, adapt, and adopt for my teaching or course?

Suggested plan

	Suggested Process
Get Started	Select a topic Read about it Self -Assess See Getting Started on this page
1	Share the results of your self-assessment and goals. Connect with other people who have similar goals. If there are none, work alone for the time being. Discuss your goals, checking in with each other about its final assessment - i.e. How will you know that you have accomplished this goal? Outline the steps you need to take to reach the goal starting with what more you may need to learn. HW – Complete your outline and develop a timeline. The timeline should include a specific moment when a colleague will observe your classroom, review your syllabus or activity, and provide feedback.
2	Talk to your group about your timeline. Ask for one accountability partner who will provide observation and feedback. Create a schedule of discussion topics and leaders for the following weeks. Ideally, groups discuss progress on the goals of a member or two. HW – Continue with your project; If sharing your work, prepare to present some kind of an update and ask for feedback from your accountability partner.
3	Group member 1 Provides a 10-minute presentation of their project and progress, including any successes, challenges, and feedback given Accountability partner supports the presentation and chimes in as needed Teaching circle members ask questions, provide resources, ideas and potential connections among the projects. HW – Prepare for next presentation; reflect on your work and what you heard about what this concept looks like in practice
	Repeat