Learning Communities
Learning communities are professional development opportunities where a group of instructors meets regularly to discuss pedagogical strategies and challenges to improve their teaching. We offer the following learning communities this semester.
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Early Career Learning Community
Join your peers in this open and welcoming environment designed to reduce your stress and increase your success! Explore topics which inform your teaching, scholarship, and career advancement.
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Future Faculty Learning Community
This circle is appropriate for any graduate student, whether currently teaching as an instructor of record, serving as a teaching assistant, or considering college teaching as a career path.
Civic Engagement Book Discussion: Democracy in Retrograde
Register by Monday, September 22
Join the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) and the Center for Integrated Professional Development (CIPD) for a community reading of Democracy in Retrograde: How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and in Our Lives by Sami Sage and Emily Amick. In today’s political climate, it’s easy to feel discouraged and overwhelmed by the state of our democracy. This book reframes civic engagement as a form of self-care, offering guidance to help you define your values and take meaningful, sustainable steps toward the changes that matter most to you.
Intended Audience: Tenure-Track Faculty, Non-Tenure Track Faculty and Course Instructors, Graduate Students, Staff (AP and Civil Service)
Once registered, request a copy by contacting Dana Karraker at dmkarra@ilstu.edu or Paige Buschman at pebusc2@ilstu.edu. We'll coordinate getting a copy to you. Registration is required.
A limited number of copies are available on a first-come, first-served basis through the CCE. You can also borrow copies from Milner Library or I-Share, or access the electronic version. [Read more about the book online].
Synchronous Sessions:
Session 1- Introduction and Democracy in Retrograde
Tuesday, September 23 • 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Session 2 - What can We Do? and Your Civic Personality
Tuesday, October 14 • 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Session 3 - An Action Plan to Get Started; The Future is Written by Us Not in the Stars; Additional Resources
Tuesday, November 4 • 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Location:
Zoom
Facilitators:
Rachel Waring-Sparks, Center for Civic Engagement
Dana Karraker, Center for Integrated Professional Development
Online Education Learning Community
Register by Wednesday, September 10
The Center for Integrated Professional Development’s Online Education Learning Community is designed for instructors who teach fully online or hybrid courses at ISU. Whether you're new to online teaching or have years of experience, this community will focus on sharing experiences, co-learning, and navigating together the ever-evolving landscape of teaching online.
For Fall 2025, we’ll be reading Bringing the Neuroscience of Learning to Online Teaching by Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa. This handbook unpacks the science of learning and provides practical, grounded guidance for supporting students in online environments. By discussing valuable design considerations, tools that can be leveraged in a course, the importance of mind, body, and education science, and much more, Tokuhama-Espinosa helps us ask the right questions to grow as online instructors. Registration is required.
Intended Audience: Tenure-Track Faculty, Non-Tenure Track Faculty and Course Instructors, Graduate Students
Once registered, you may request a physical copy of the book by emailing Allison Hauser at ahauser@ilstu.edu. We will coordinate getting a copy to you. Physical copies are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A digital version is also available through the Milner Library.
Synchronous Meeting Dates:
All meetings are from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on their respective days.
Thursday, September 11
Thursday, October 9
Thursday, November 13
Location:
WIH 325 or Online - Zoom
Facilitators:
Allison Hauser, Center for Integrated Professional Development
Courtney Cox, Center for Integrated Professional Development
Addison Lamb, Center for Integrated Professional Development
Small Changes Learning Community
Teaching can be an isolating experience. This reading group, intended for faculty who have been teaching at Illinois State for over four years, provides a chance for faculty to discuss peer support, networking, and mentorship. Experience new confidence in yourself and your ability to teach!
Our read for Fall is Smart Teaching Stronger Learning: Practical Tips From 10 Cognitive Scientists by Pooja Agarwal. As the book cover describes, it’s an “approachable resource that distills key principles from the science of learning, with concise chapters and real-world examples for busy educators” with “down-to-earth tips.” We'll use the text as a springboard for our conversations. We will use it to find ideas for small changes we can make in our teaching to see changes in our student learning and motivation. Reading is encouraged and kept to reasonable amounts between our biweekly meetings but not required to participate. We’ll meet six times throughout the semester to discuss and support each other in our teaching across disciplines, and you’re always welcome to bring your lunch!
Intended Audience: Mid- and Later- Career Faculty and Course Instructors, those who have been teaching for 4 or more years.
To join this group, contact Dr. Sarah Boesdorfer, sbboesd@ilstu.edu
Synchronous Meeting Dates:
All meetings are from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on their respective days.
Wednesday, September 10
Wednesday, September 24
Wednesday, October 8
Wednesday, October 22
Wednesday, November 5
Location:
Williams 326 or via Zoom
Facilitator:
Sarah Boesdorfer,
Chemistry
Teaching with Presence Learning Community
Are you feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or simply stretched too thin? In today’s higher education landscape, many instructors are navigating an increasingly dynamic environment marked by political pressures, shrinking budgets, rising workloads, and shifting expectations from students and institutions. Now more than ever, we need spaces that support our well-being and remind us we’re not alone in this work.
The Teaching with Presence Learning Community offers a space to slow down, reconnect with your purpose, and find support among colleagues. This hour-long learning community meets every three weeks and is designed to encourage reflection, meaningful connection, support your well-being, and examine how intentional practices can bring more clarity and calm to our teaching.
We welcome you to join this learning community at any time. Please contact Mayuko Nakamura to join the group.
Synchronous Meeting Dates:
All meetings are from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on their respective days.
Wednesday, September 10
Wednesday, October 1
Wednesday, October 22
Wednesday, November 12
Location:
Williams 325
Each session includes:
- A 10-minute contemplative practice to ground us in the present moment, such as guided meditation, intentional eating, and reflective journaling.
- A 10-minute check-in to share how we’re doing and what’s on our minds in a supportive, low-pressure environment.
- A 30-minute book discussion based on The Present Professor, looking at how presence and awareness can enhance our teaching and our lives.
- A 10-minute unstructured time to connect with others or leave if you need to go to your next place.
Eligible Participants: Tenure-Track Faculty, Non-Tenure Track Faculty and Course Instructors, Graduate Students, Staff (AP and Civil Service)
This group is open to instructors from all disciplines who are curious about integrating reflective practices into their teaching, connecting with colleagues, and finding ways to reduce stress and recharge. No prior experience with mindfulness or reflective practices is needed.
Facilitators:
Sue Hilderbrandt, Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Mayuko Nakamura, Center for Integrated Professional Development
If you need a special accommodation to fully participate in a Center event or service, please contact the Center at ProDev@ilstu.edu.