Message from the Senior Vice Provost
I’ve taught political science at UW–Madison since 2008, so I know all too well that as instructors, each time we walk into class, we never know exactly what is going to happen.
That can be exhilarating and, when things don’t go well, profoundly challenging. A discussion may go awry. A student may direct an inappropriate comment at us or their classmates. An upsetting event that’s happened, on campus or off, may have students and instructors worried or distracted. Knowing some basic proactive and in-the-moment strategies can alleviate stress and uncertainty for you and your students.
This guide aims to help all of us who teach – whether as a lead instructor, teaching assistant, or other member of a teaching team – anticipate, prepare for, and respond to a range of class disruptions. It brings together information and resources from across UW–Madison so it’s easy to find and use.
The university is committed to supporting you as you do the vital work of teaching. Developing this resource is one way we’re doing that. I also encourage you to connect with support structures in your school/college and consider having conversations about these issues within your department or group. You can download a printer-friendly version of this resource to help guide those conversations – please contact CTLM if you would like assistance facilitating or co-facilitating discussions.
Thank you for all you do to support our students,
John
John Zumbrunnen
Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning
In this guide
Proactive Strategies
As you prepare to teach and begin working with your new class, follow these steps to build trust and address conflict effectively.
Responding in the Moment
This guidance will help you think through how you might respond to various challenges that can arise during class.
Upcoming event
Teaching at UW: Challenging Conversations
Join CTLM and the Office of Student Assistance and Support (formerly the Dean of Students Office) on Oct. 25 for a conversation about navigating challenging dynamics in the classroom. In this session you will learn about existing resources and begin to develop language and strategies that work for you.