Teaching in Higher Ed
The Present Professor – Authenticity and Transformational Teaching
Jan 16, 2025
Liz Norell, the Associate Director of Instructional Support at the University of Mississippi and author of "The Present Professor: Authenticity and Transformational Teaching," discusses the power of authenticity in education. She emphasizes the need for psychological safety to cultivate empathy and shares personal insights from her teaching journey. Norell addresses the challenges educators face in balancing professional pressures with genuine connections and stresses the importance of meaningful engagement aligned with student goals.
44:19
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Quick takeaways
- Authenticity in teaching is enhanced through self-reflection, enabling educators to align their practices with their intrinsic values and motivations.
- Creating psychological safety in the classroom fosters empathy and better relationships, allowing both educators and students to thrive in learning environments.
Deep dives
Understanding Embodiment in Teaching
Embodiment refers to the awareness of the body's signals and how these can influence teaching and learning interactions. For instance, when engaged in discussions, teachers can read the nonverbal cues of their students, even without verbal communication, to assess engagement or discomfort. Liz Norell highlights pivotal personal experiences that shaped her understanding of embodiment, such as witnessing a colleague struggle through cancer treatment while teaching and her own pregnancy challenges. These experiences underscore the importance of being present in the classroom, both as educators and learners, to foster genuine connections.
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