Spring Teaching and Learning Conference 2026

Title: The Science of Emotional Health and Learning

June Gruber, Professor, Psychology and Neuroscience, The Science of Emotional Health and Learning

Title: Compassionate Collaboration in the Classroom

Cultivating compassion within the context of teaching and learning can be a powerful resource for sustaining care for ourselves and our students—especially in times of challenge and change. In this interactive session, participants will pause to reflect, engage in compassion practices, and learn practical strategies for fostering student collaboration. Together, we’ll consider how compassionate collaboration can nurture belonging, curiosity, and joy in K–20 classrooms.

Presenters:

• Ashley Potvin, Research Associate, Renée Crown Wellness Institute
• Alison Boardman, Associate Professor, School of Education

Title:CTL Excellence in Teaching with Technology Recipient Panel: Our Past and Current Innovations in Teaching

Each year, the CTL awards the Excellence in Teaching with Technology Award to a faculty member who was nominated by their peers and students for their commitment to teaching with technology. In 2023, Bethany Wilcox was recognized for her use of technology to help students engage with course materials in meaningful ways that further their abilities to visualize the complexities of physics while simultaneously building their confidence as learners and leaders in the classroom. In 2022, Nicole Jobin was recognized for her use of technology as not only a tool, but also as a great equalizer in her classroom, placing students as co-creators, rather than passive learners, of their knowledge. In 2021, David Paradis’ colleagues and students recognized his commitment to lifelong learning, his passion for teaching, and his desire to constantly improve his use of technology in the classroom. We welcome these amazing faculty members to come discuss their past, current, and future endeavors into technology in the classroom!

Panelists:  

• Nicole Jobin, Teaching Professor, History, 2022 Recipient
• David Paradis, Teaching Professor, History, College of Arts & Sciences Teaching Professor of Distinction, 2021 Recipient
• Bethany Wilcox, Associate Professor, Physics, 2023 Recipient

Title: CTL Lead Graduate Teaching Fellow Panel: From Where Have We Seen Teaching Come, and Where are We Going?

Come join several CTL Lead Graduate Teaching Fellows as they discuss the current and future states of graduate teaching across campus. These Fellows provide peer support of teaching through their roles within the CTL. This places them in an insightful position for this unique discussion. 

Panelists:

• Kate Arnold-Murray, Doctoral Student, CTL Lead, Linguistics
• Emily Swertfeger, Doctoral Student, CTL Lead, History
• Stevi Ibonie, Doctoral Student, Former CTL Lead, Psychology/Neuroscience
• Sean Ang, Masters Student, CTL Lead, Asian Languages and Civilizations

Title: Faculty Panel on Implementing the Canvas Template to Promote Student Success

Developed by the Center for Teaching & Learning, Office of Information Technology, Digital Accessibility Office and Continuing Education with a group of faculty partners, the new CU Canvas Template for Student Success was designed to help CU educators build more consistent, effective student learning experiences. After initially launching for campus-wide use for the spring 2025 semester, the Template has been downloaded into over 1100 courses, receiving very positive feedback from both educators and students. Attend this session to learn more from faculty and teaching assistants already using the Template and learn how to get started in your own courses.

Panelists: 

• Erin Furtak, Professor of STEM Education

• William Kuskin, Professor and Chair of the English Department

Title: Teaching, Learning and AI: CU Community Perspectives

Join us for a participatory session exploring diverse faculty and student perspectives on AI, teaching, and learning. The session will feature lightning talks by faculty spanning a range of approaches to supporting student learning in the context of AI–from redesigning their courses to limit AI use to working with AI tools to enhance student learning. The session will also feature a student panel to address student perspectives. Rounds of lightning talks will be interspersed with periods for facilitated discussion designed to foster cross‑campus dialogue. All viewpoints and experiences with AI are welcome as we explore this rapidly changing landscape together. You’re welcome to stay for the full session or drop in for any portion that fits your schedule. 

Agenda with presenters & lightning talk titles: 

• 2:30pm Welcoming remarks and icebreaker
• 2:45pm Eric Klinger, Faculty Director, Writing Center I Teaching Professor, Office of Undergraduate Education
  • Why Writing is More Important Than Ever in the Age of GenAI
• 2:55pm Jeremiah Contreras, Associate Teaching Professor, Accounting, Leeds School of Business | Kala and Shiv Khatri Endowed Faculty Scholar, Faculty Director of Digital Innovation for Teaching and Learning
• 3:05pm Rick Stevens, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education, Associate Professor, Media Studies, CMDI
  • AI in CMDI: Literacies and Applications
• 3:15pm Casey Fiesler, Associate Professor, Information Science, Associate Chair of Graduate Studies, CMDI
• 3:25pm Facilitated discussion
• 3:40pm Rebecca Machen, Director of STEM Instruction, SASC, Lecturer, Department of Mathematics
  • Using Generative AI Data to Inform Teaching Practice in Gateway Mathematics Courses
• 3:50pm Student panel
  • CU Student Perspectives on Teaching, Learning, and AI
• 4:05pm Janet Casagrand, Teaching Professor, Integrative Physiology
  • Creating and Communicating AI Course Policies
• 4:15-4:30pm Facilitated discussion & closing remarks

Facilitators: 

• Jessica George, Academic Technology Professional, Office of Information Technology
• Kelly Gildersleeve, Assistant Director, Center for Teaching & Learning
• Rebecca Kallemeyn, Program Manager for Academic Technology Initiatives, Consulting & Training, Office of Information Technology