Start the semester with confidence and coordination
Returning August 26, 2026
The Pre-semester Teaching Institute (formerly Ready, Set, Teach!) is offered before the start of the spring and fall semesters. It’s open to faculty, academic/clinical instructors, graduate student lecturers and TAs who lead sections.
Whether you’re a seasoned instructor or new to teaching, the Institute will give you focused time and expert assistance to prepare for the start of class.
You’ll learn strategies for:
- Addressing the impacts of generative AI on assessments
- Engaging and motivating students
- Time-saving tips for Canvas
- And more!
What participants say
“The syllabus session helped me think about changes I can make to my syllabus to make it more clear and inclusive.”
“The group discussions facilitated learning in action … Great instructors, too!”
“I enjoyed interacting with the folks at my table. They shared a lot of experiences that enhanced my learning.”
Event program
NOTE: This program is from January 2026. It will be updated for the August 2026 Institute.
8:30 a.m. Registration and light breakfast
9-9:30 a.m. Welcome and introduction – Julie Hunt Johnson, Ph.D., Program Manager, Center for Teaching, Learning & Mentoring
9:30-10:30 a.m. Foster learning and wellbeing with low-stakes writing – Abigail Letak, Ph.D., Associate Director, Writing Across the Curriculum
10:30 a.m. Break
10:45 a.m.-12 p.m. Leverage interactive assessments and playful pedagogy to deepen learning – Mary Thompson, Ph.D.. Senior Assessment Manager, Student Learning Assessment Office
12-1 p.m. Lunch
12:20-12:50 p.m. Learn@UW show and share – Cliff Cunningham, M.S., Learning Technologies Consultant & Trainer, Division of Information Technology (DoIT) Academic Technology (AT) – Learn@UW-Madison
1-2 p.m. Motivate students to learn with *and without* AI – Amanda Leary, Ph.D., Teaching and Learning Developer, CTLM
2-2:15 p.m. Closing
2:15-3:15 p.m. Optional: Work time with (or without) support – Join us after the event for an optional 1:1 conversation with a member of UW-Madison’s instructional support staff community.
Meet the facilitators
Cliff Cunningham
Position title: Learning Technologies Consultant & Trainer (DoIT Academic Technology)
