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September 2025 Tuesday Tips
2nd September 2025
Tuesday Teaching Tip: Find Your Joy and Hope
In a recent column for the Chronicle amusingly titled How to Get Through the Year, and Maybe Even Thrive(opens in new window) (sign-in/up alert), Sarah Rose Cavanagh runs through some excellent advice, and the whole article is worth a read. In a section on how to rekindle your love of teaching and scholarship, she drops a great line, “You win by focusing, not on what you would like to abolish or avoid, but on what you would like to imagine into being — on what, in other words, brings you joy and hope.” It really struck me because I am on a personal journey through historic criticisms of higher education in America, and so much of it is focused on “here is another thing I don’t like.” Framing what we do in terms of what we want our classrooms and professional lives to be, rather than what we don’t like about how things are, is a way to bring others into a positive vision. Of course, there are things to critique and be concerned about, but in times of uncertainty and anxiety, we need more than criticism for our students and ourselves. Reflect on your own vision and share it with colleagues and students. My bet is they would rather share your dream than your nightmare.
This is a big week in Faculty Development. The deadline for our fall programming is today at 11:59pm. We have space in almost every program, and my goal is always to say “yes” to everyone who applies. We are being flexible for the AI Curriculum Challenge (Google Doc) for those who would benefit from another week, but for all normal programming, we will look at applications starting tomorrow.
This Friday, we are offering a workshop featuring Kim Jaxon on Creating Meaningful Experiences in Larger Groups. Join us 12-1pm for a lunch and learn on Zoom(opens in new window).
Zach Justus
Director of Faculty Development
Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences
Google Voice/Text:
If you’d like to comment on this or any other Tuesday Tip, visit the FDEV Blog(opens in new window).
All past Tuesday Tips are curated on the FDEV website.
9th September 2025
Tuesday Teaching Tip: Start Small
Making changes to how we teach is often framed in ways that make it seem intimidating. Terms like “redesign” or “retrofit” (guilty) often make it seem like everything needs to change at the same time. There is a different path forward. Nearly 10 years ago James Lang wrote the “Small Teaching” series for The Chronicle(opens in new window) detailing bite sized approaches to improving teaching and learning. These kernels became a book series(opens in new window) by the same name (full texts are available through the Meriam Library).
Last week Ellie Ertle sent me a recent Inside Higher Ed article by Niles Mattier on “ The Update Desk(opens in new window).” This is a classroom tactic from the author that gives up a small amount of classroom time for students to share news and insights–it has become an important part of community building for the students. It is another small approach to improvement that faculty can implement regardless of discipline or the time in the semester.
This year the CSU has a contract with Transparency in Higher Education(opens in new window) ( TILT) from award-winning developer Mary-Ann Winkelmes. This is another framework for improvement that allows educators to start small and implement their approach on a single assignment or an entire course. The kick-off session is this Friday 12:30-2:30pm and we have spots available. Email us if you want to be included.
Finally, a few reminders about upcoming events.
- Today is the deadline for the AI Curriculum Challenge (Google Doc). Get your applications in by 11:59pm.
- Thursday, 9/11 from 12-1pm: FDEV and Academic Technology co-host an AI Basics webinar (PDF) that is open to faculty from Chico and regional Community Colleges. Join us and our colleagues for a beginner-friendly approach to Artificial Intelligence.
- Friday, 9/12 from 12-1pm Kim Jaxon and Zach Justus host session two of their limited series (PDF) on teaching larger courses. Our focus for this session will be on techniques for managing workload.
Zach Justus
Director of Faculty Development
Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences
Google Voice/Text:
If you’d like to comment on this or any other Tuesday Tip, visit the FDEV Blog(opens in new window).
All past Tuesday Tips are curated on the FDEV website.
16th September 2025
Tuesday Teaching Tip: You Do Not Need All the Answers
There is a lot going on right now at the intersection of politics and higher education. Some of you may be having or at least hearing conversations about difficult topics in classes that normally do not involve controversy. You do not need to have all the answers. You can listen, and you do not always need to know what to say next. The Counseling Center and CARE team offer resources that you can provide to students, both in person and online.
Our reading group on politics and higher education starts on Friday, 10/3. If you would like to better understand the intersection of these institutions by reading and discussing critiques of higher education from the political left and the political right, you can still sign up. You can view the reading list here (Google Doc).
Finally, a few reminders:
- Friday, 9/19 from 12-1pm: Kim Jaxon and Zach Justus host the final session of their limited series (PDF) on teaching larger courses. Our focus for this session will be building capacity through the use of video, decision guides, and AI assistance.
- Monday, 9/22 is the deadline for the micro-credential development program. This is an opportunity to get paid to build a professional-facing curriculum that will help community members and alumni adapt their specific careers to a world where AI exists. Here, you can find the call for applications (Google Doc) and the application form.
Zach Justus
Director of Faculty Development
Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences
Google Voice/Text:
If you’d like to comment on this or any other Tuesday Tip, visit the FDEV Blog(opens in new window).
All past Tuesday Tips are curated on the FDEV website.
23rd September 2025
Tuesday Teaching Tip: Perspective Shift Post-Census
The most recent year I taught the large public speaking course, we experimented with an early warning system for student success. We set up basic markers like missing assignments, absences, and developed some language to reach out to students. Early warning systems(opens in new window) have a long track record of success at the University level, but we know less about course-based efforts.
The most interesting part of the effort was not the system itself, but how it refocused us on student outcomes. It was not by design, but compelling ourselves to review grading sheets, think about the last time we had contact with a student, or saw them in class, caused us to move some of our role perceptions from teacher/evaluator towards advocate/coach. Developing an early warning system is a lot of work, and I would not recommend it to everyone, but I would recommend scheduling time to review your notes and identify students who you think might need some extra support, and then reaching out in the most supportive way possible. Another lesson we learned was that just making contact was the whole goal. Not a commitment to get back on track or a concrete plan–just contact with the student. Don’t forget your college has local support that may be able to consult or help guide this work.
One quick additional note.
This is a reminder about the doctoral quality improvement project led by Katharina Teixeira (CU Denver) in collaboration with the Office of Faculty Development. The study explores faculty awareness, usage, and concerns about generative AI (GenAI) in student learning environments.
Your participation is essential. Every faculty voice matters as we work to understand how GenAI impacts equity, access, and teaching practices.
The survey takes less than 10 minutesand is completely anonymous. Please share your insights here: Link(opens in new window).
Thank you for contributing to this important work.
Katharina Teixeira
Project Manager
Dr. Elena Sandoval-Lucero
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Zach Justus
Director for Faculty Development
Zach Justus
Director of Faculty Development
Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences
Google Voice/Text:
If you’d like to comment on this or any other Tuesday Tip, visit the FDEV Blog(opens in new window).
All past Tuesday Tips are curated on the FDEV website.
30th September 2025
Tuesday Teaching Tip: Help Students Plan—and Help Yourself
This teaching tip is a collaboration with CAL$ lead Beth Shook.
Adopt spring course materials by October 27!
When you adopt course materials early, students register knowing what they’ll spend and how to prepare. You’ll also get fewer “What book?” emails. You can submit adoptions quickly through the Follett Discover tool within Canvas(opens in new window) or by emailing wildcatstore@csuchico.edu(opens in new window).
Adopt spring course materials by October 27!
When you adopt course materials early, students register knowing what they’ll spend and how to prepare. You’ll also get fewer “What book?” emails. You can submit adoptions quickly through the Follett Discover tool within Canvas(opens in new window) or by emailing wildcatstore@csuchico.edu(opens in new window).
New: Students can search for Zero Cost Course Materials (ZCCM). Students can now filter the class schedule to find sections where required materials cost $0 (digital, print, or supplies). ZCCM courses also display the ZCCM icon.
If your course is zero cost, help students find it. Label your section ZCCM now by contacting the Wildcat Bookstore (Follett Discover or wildcatstore@csuchico.edu(opens in new window)). This flags your section, so it surfaces in student searches. Tip: The CAL$ training includes a module on using the ZCCM designation—helpful if you’re moving to $0 using library-licensed or open materials.
If your course uses materials with a cost, communicate your selections to the bookstore so they can add a link in the class schedule, and students can comparison shop for the lowest cost options.
Want to reduce costs - or get to $0? Chico Affordable Learning Solutions (CAL$) can help you identify quality OER and library resources. Their asynchronous Canvas training covers ZCCM, copyright/CC licenses, and working with the bookstore - and it includes a stipend! Other projects may also be supported.
Contact Beth Shook (bashook@csuchico.edu(opens in new window)) or watch for upcoming CAL$ program announcements.
Zach Justus
Director of Faculty Development
Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences
Google Voice/Text:
If you’d like to comment on this or any other Tuesday Tip, visit the FDEV Blog(opens in new window).
All past Tuesday Tips are curated on the FDEV website.