Supporting faculty to create a healthy and engaging learning environment

Being a faculty member is about much more than delivering course content and evaluating academic performance. It is an opportunity to be a part of both the life and learning journey of our students. This often necessitates the wearing of many hats, including mentor, confidant, advisor, instructor and source of support.  

It is no secret that in recent years students have been reporting increasing academic stress and anxiety. One of the first places where metal health issues are noticed is the classroom (Plieto – De Rango, 2017). How our students experience their learning environment impacts their ability to learn and can impact their mental well-being. At the same time, the amount of work and additional requirements of faculty members has increased, and they too are experiencing increased stress levels.  

This interactive webinar aims to highlight some important considerations, anecdotes and findings that impact the mental health and wellness of the learning environment. We will be sharing information from the recently released Mental Health Toolkit for Faculty and Staff (see link below) and discussing these considerations with guests representing the voice of both faculty and support staff. Please bring your thoughts, perspectives and inquiries to the session. 

Key areas of focus will provide insight and perspective on the following areas: 

• How can we create a healthy balance for both faculty and students to promote engagement and well-being? 
• What is intersectionality in curriculum design and how can it be incorporated into our classrooms?