Teaching Inclusively: Teaching in Tumultuous Times

Instruction can be difficult for both teachers and students following a major incident or tragedy. These events may take an emotional and cognitive toll on students, disrupt their lives, and interfere with learning for extended periods of time. Students’ proximity to such an event does not always determine their response. For example, students may be seriously affected by incidents that involve total strangers. Additionally, students’ surface responses may not be indicative of the actual effect. As an instructor, it’s important to consider the impacts such events have on students as human beings and learners. In this seminar, we will discuss considerations for determining whether or not to address an event in the classroom and develop multiple strategies for addressing distressing events in your classes.