Welcome to the Tuesday Teaching Tip. Each week, the Faculty Collaborative for Teaching will bring you an easy-to-implement tool that you can use immediately in your classroom teaching. The goals of these tips will be to broaden your teaching toolbox, share resources on teaching, and alert you to upcoming teaching and learning opportunities from the Faculty Collaborative.

TUESDAY TEACHING TIP: MINDFULNESS AND SELF-CARE

The end of the quarter can be stressful for everyone. You’ve got grading to do, final class sessions to prepare, your own projects and deadlines, personal responsibilities, etc. At the same time, your students have finals and papers due in 3, 4, and sometimes 5 classes all at exactly the same time. It’s important during these times that we take time for ourselves and, in doing so, invite our students to do the same.

For this week, we challenge you to stop and take a breath. First, for you, we would like you to take a moment to recognize the value of self-care. Perhaps you already have your own set of tools that you use to reduce stress. We have provided a few resources below to help you if you would like some additional tools. For your students, we invite you to offer them an opportunity to take a breath in a class you teach. This moment will certainly demonstrate to your students how you bring your full self to class and recognize the importance of teaching the whole person.

Here’s one way to do it in your classroom

• These practices don’t need to take up a lot of time (just a few minutes at the start of class) and you do not need much preparation. Here are some ideas to integrate this into your class. 
• In your next class, open with a moment of mindfulness. This could be as simple as just asking your students to take a moment, prepare for class, close their eyes, take a deep breath and relax. 
• Start your class off with a journaling prompt, asking them to reflect on something that brings them joy. Give them 3 minutes to do this.
• Play a guided meditation from YouTube or another source (like the Calm app - see below) and have your students follow along.
• Just give them a few moments to be still and quiet. 

Here’s one way to do it for you

• Adding to your existing tools, here are some resources you can utilize on campus.
  • Take a walk around campus. Hear the birds sing, watch the squirrels frolic, enjoy that person and their silly dog, admire the early blooms and buds, listen to the water in the fountain. Pause, slow down, disrupt your schedule. Do something to bring you joy.
  • Share a treat with colleagues this Thursday for “donut day” March 7, 8:30 - 9:30 am in the Walsh Administration building (hosted by the President and Provosts).
  • Go for a swim, join colleagues in pickleball, soccer, basketball, ping pong, badminton, etc. in the Malley Center this week.
  • Enjoy an event on campus (e.g., SCU Presents, Athletics, departmental talks or university events).

Additional Resources available through Human Resources:

• Visit the Employee Wellness Site for information on Mental Health, Mindfulness, and Employee Assistance Program resources. 
• Sign up for a chair massage ($5 for 13 mins). Or a Reiki Sound Meditation. Click here for more information.
• The Calm App is available free to all benefits-eligible employees. To get started:
• Visit this link to Calm for SCU employees. Click here for more information.

DID YOU DO IT?

Let us know how it went. We would love to hear your feedback about how you implemented today’s Tuesday Teaching Tip in your classroom. Click here to fill out our 3-question survey.

WANT TO READ A LITTLE MORE?

• Faculty Collaborative DRT page on Supporting Students’ Well Being 

This week’s Tuesday Teaching Tip was prepared by Justin Boren and Patti Simone on behalf of the Faculty Collaborative.

Missed a teaching tip? Read them all here:

• Teaching Tip #1 - Reflection (January 30, 2024)
• Teaching Tip #2 - Mid-Course Evaluation (February 6, 2024)
• Teaching Tip #3 - Beyond Think-Pair-Share (February 13, 2024)
• Teaching Tip #4 - Grading–Good for them and good for you? (February 20, 2024)
• Teaching Tip #5 - Inclusive Teaching (February 27, 2024)

And check out our full calendar of CAFEs and other Faculty Development and Faculty Collaborative events.