In 2020, the Duke community finds itself in a challenging environment, unprecedented in the university’s history. We are dealing with an ongoing worldwide pandemic, social and political unrest and turmoil, and a worsening economic situation, all in the context of continuing our courses, research, and ongoing work at the university. Students learning at Duke this year (online or in-person) are exhausted, lonely, scared, frustrated, angry, and potentially grieving because of the pandemic, the recent protests, and the state of the world. There are no easy answers or simple fixes for the circumstances, and faculty are feeling some of the same emotions and struggling with similar stressors.

While faculty generally aren't trained as or expected to be counselors, your teaching plans can be designed to demonstrate increased flexibility, empathy, inclusivity and care for student well-being, and to try to best support student learning. Join us for an informal roundtable for sharing and brainstorming how we are reflecting care for student well-being in teaching approaches. Our intent is to provide a venue for sharing and learning from each other.  

Optional related pre-reading for those who are interested: 

• “Accessible Teaching in the Time of Covid-19,” by Aimi Hamraie

• Software that monitors students during tests perpetuates inequality and violates their privacy

• The latest crisis: Low-income students are dropping out of college this fall in alarming numbers

• From Inclusion to Equity: Pedagogies that Close Achievement Gaps | Faculty Focus

The Zoom link will be emailed before the event start time.