Moorings for Good Teaching
Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion
Cultivate a spirit of hospitality
Create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
Be mindful that difference creates friction – both familiar and unfamiliar.
Dedicate focused time to the craft and calling of teaching
Intentionally invest time and energy into critically and imaginatively reflecting on and developing one’s teaching practice and vocational identity as an educator.
Engage in substantive, well-facilitated dialogue
Foster meaningful conversations that are thoughtfully structured to promote deep learning and mutual understanding.
Nurture imagination and creativity in the learning process
Provide space for innovation, curiosity, and artistic expression in both teaching and learning.
Deepen understanding of the authority and power of teaching
Reflect on the ethical and relational responsibilities that come with the influence of being an educator.
Honor the complexity of personal and communal identities
Recognize and engage the diverse identities of both teachers and learners as essential to the educational experience.
Practice peer-centered engagement
Prioritize mutual respect and collaboration among colleagues and students, resisting hierarchical models of relating.
Facilitate healing through educational experiences
Create spaces where learning contributes to emotional, intellectual, and spiritual restoration.
Navigate institutional life with wisdom and agency
Develop skills of institutional citizenship to engage systems thoughtfully and effect positive change.
Embrace discovery, adventure, and encounter in teaching
Approach education as a dynamic journey, curating and choreographing learning experiences that inspire transformation.
For a PDF of this statement, click here.