The Pedagogical Wellness Faculty Learning Community is a cohort experience for instructors who want to strengthen teaching, support student and instructor well-being, and make course changes that are realistic to sustain.
The program recognizes that teaching environments are shaped by both instructional design and the lived experiences of instructors and students. It supports participants in creating learning environments that are both safe and sustainable for students and instructors.
This page explains what pedagogical wellness is, who the program is for, what participation involves, how the badges work, and how to apply.
What is pedagogical wellness?
Pedagogical wellness is an approach to teaching that recognizes the connection between instructor well-being, teaching practices, and student experience.
It acknowledges that teaching and learning do not happen in isolation—faculty and students bring real pressures, responsibilities, and experiences into the classroom. When these conditions are not supported, they shape how teaching works and who is able to participate and succeed.
Rather than treating wellness as an individual responsibility, pedagogical wellness focuses on how course design, relationships, and classroom practices create learning environments that are:
- clear and transparent.
- structured but flexible.
- supportive of belonging, participation, and meaningful connection.
- sustainable for instructors to maintain over time.
This approach helps create classroom environments that are both welcoming and academically rigorous.
What is the Pedagogical Wellness Faculty Learning Community?
The Pedagogical Wellness Faculty Learning Community (FLC) supports instructors in translating reflection on their own teaching conditions into meaningful changes in their courses.
Participants engage in a structured process of:
- reflecting on their own workload and teaching context.
- examining how course design shapes student experience.
- implementing changes that improve clarity, access, and belonging.
- developing practices that are sustainable across semesters.
Participants have the option of choosing between the foundational track and the intensive track based on their bandwidth and circumstances. The goal is not only to think differently about teaching, but to design and test changes that make learning environments more equitable and manageable in practice.
Who should apply?
Pedagogical Wellness FLC is a good fit for instructors, staff, and mentors who want to improve classroom climate, course design, and teaching practices while also thinking about workload and sustainability.
You may find this program especially useful if you:
- teach large-enrollment courses.
- have frequent student interaction.
- mentor or support students regularly.
- are looking to create more welcoming learning environments.
- want to make meaningful teaching changes without increasing workload.
What will participants do?
Participants take part in monthly meetings, guided reflection, and applied work on a teaching change they want to make.
The program is structured to support steady progress across the semester, with built-in time during meetings so that work can happen without adding unnecessary strain.
All participants receive:
- structured work time during meetings.
- access to Canvas resources and feedback.
- support from the facilitator team.
- community of peers committed to creating safe and welcoming learning environments.
At the time of the registration, participants may choose between two tracks based on your availability and bandwidth, with an option to tracks at the end of the first semester.
Foundations Track
A community-oriented option with lighter workload focused on:
- community and shared discussion
- guided reflection on teaching and wellness
- practical approaches to improving classroom experiences
Intensive Track
An option that will give you tools and assistance for implementing pedagogical wellness focused on:
- implementing a course or teaching change
- assessing student experience
- consultation support
- developing pedagogical wellness artifacts
What support will I receive?
Participants have access to multiple forms of support throughout the program, including:
- a community of educators working through similar challenges.
- dedicated time to reflect and work during meetings.
- optional consultation to support implementation.
- opportunities to continue refining their work after trying it in class.
This support is designed to:
- reduce pressure.
- make the work realistic to complete.
- support ongoing development beyond a single semester.
How do the badges work?
Participants can choose the level of engagement that best fits their goals and capacity. The badge system recognizes different forms of participation and completion.
Foundations Badge
Earned by participants who:
- regularly attend FLC meetings
- complete guided reflections
- engage in discussions and shared learning
Promoting Pedagogical Wellness Badge (Intensive Track)
Earned by participants who:
- complete structured assignments throughout the FLC
- implement at least one course or teaching change
- participate in program activities and structured work
- present their work at the Spring Showcase
Faculty for Pedagogical Wellness Badge
Earned by participants who:
- complete all Intensive Track requirements
- submit a final reflection describing:
- what changed in their teaching
- how those changes shaped student experience
- how they will refine or continue the work
- complete a final assessment reflection of their implementation
To support faculty workload, this final reflection and assessment may be completed during the summer.
Program Timeline
The program follows the academic year, with most work taking place during fall and spring and final reflection completed after the semester.
- July 17 – Sept 1: Application period
- August 28: Kicking off the Semester with Pedagogical Wellness (Open to those who have not registered yet)
- September 5: Acceptance notifications sent
- September 11: First FLC meeting
- September–November: Monthly meetings focused on foundations of pedagogical wellness (zoom)
- January–March: Monthly meetings focused on implementation, assessment, and reflection (zoom)
- January–March: Optional consultation support available
- April 9: Pedagogical Wellness Showcase (hybrid)
- May–June: Final reflection and assessment due (required for the final badge; may be completed after the semester)
How do I apply?
Applications are now closed.
Please check back for updates or watch for a CTL announcement with the application opening date.