Please join the Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation as we showcase some of MSU's educators and the great work they are doing. Step into a virtual space alive with enthusiasm and curiosity as passionate educators unveil their most effective teaching methods. From technology integration and active learning strategies to inventive assessments, each presenter offers a glimpse into their teaching journey, providing attendees with a collection of adaptable ideas. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and connect with peers to cultivate a collaborative spirit that transcends disciplines.

The second in the Welcome to My Classroom series will feature Valerie Hedges. Dr. Hedges is an Assistant Professor in the Physiology Department in the College of Natural Science at Michigan State University. Valerie teaches multiple large-enrollment courses for neuroscience majors in the College of Natural Science and Lyman Briggs College in addition to a required Tier II writing course for neuroscience majors. Valerie is also an educational outreach coordinator for the neuroscience program and physiology department, participating in events such as the MSU Brain Bee, Brain Awareness Week, and the Neuroscience Fair during SciFest. Currently, she serves as the chair of the physiology department undergraduate curriculum committee, has been involved in curriculum restructuring for the neuroscience major at Michigan State University, and is a co-facilitator of the “Equitable Pedagogy: Removing barriers to learning” learning community, along with Dr. Casey Henley. 

The equitable pedagogy learning community welcomes educators looking to dismantle barriers. As a community, we examine and discuss a theoretical framework for exploring undergraduate approaches to academic challenge and failure. The goal for the community is to investigate the impact of the interventions, hopefully providing community members with actionable items to take back to their classrooms. It is these takeaways and how she has implemented them in her learning environments that Valerie will be sharing in this Welcome to My Classroom!

Our Welcome to My Classroom series aims to be a catalyst for continuous improvement, uniting educators in their commitment to elevate the art of teaching. Join us in celebrating the dedication and creativity that drive education forward, as we learn from one another and collectively enrich the learning experience for both educators and students alike.

The "Welcome to My Classroom" series will function like a pedagogy and practice show and tell where educators from throughout MSU's ecosystem share something from their teaching and learning practice. Examples of an educator's showcase could include a walk through of a specific activity or assignment, sharing out the integration of a particular educational technology, describing their process of redesigning a learning experience, and more! 

*for any educator interested in hosting a Welcome to My Classroom, please contact Makena Neal at mneal@msu.edu