Inclusive Pedagogy Workshops & Events
Cultivating Care and Community in Your Classroom
Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 12:00–1:15 p.m.
How can we establish and sustain inclusive learning communities in our classrooms, especially in difficult times? In this workshop, we will explore ways to use community agreements or group norms to help reinforce expectations for respectful conversations and critical discourse during class, as well as collectively support a caring environment that supports learning. In addition to brainstorming different modalities for introducing and creating community agreements, participants will also identify strategies for continuing to meaningfully incorporate these norms into reflection and learning activities throughout the semester. Lunch will be provided.
Lecture Makeover: Creating More Accessible Slides to Enhance Learning
Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 12:00–1:15 p.m.
Ensuring that the digital slides you use in your teaching are accessible is essential for creating an inclusive learning environment where all students, including those with disabilities, can fully engage with course content. Intentional slide design not only removes barriers to learning, but also reflects a commitment to equity and respect for diverse learning needs. What are some small steps you can take to make your slides for class lectures and presentations more accessible and effective? In this workshop, participants will identify simple practices they can undertake to makeover lecture and presentation slides to enhance learning for all students. Lunch will be provided.
Developing a Community-Engaged Course
Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 12:00-1:15 p.m.
Community-engaged and community partnership courses seek to build equitable relationships with local communities, integrate theory and practice to deepen academic learning, honor community members as knowledge-holders, and support projects identified by community partners. In this workshop, offered in collaboration with the Office of Community-Engaged Learning (OCEL), we will explore how principles of inclusive pedagogy can strengthen community-engaged course design. Participants will reimagine curricular initiatives that foster high-impact student learning and applied pedagogy for faculty, while simultaneously deepening equitable partnerships and advancing engaged scholarship. Participants will also learn about Exploratory Funds which can support the design of community engaged courses in partnership with community collaborators. Lunch will be provided
Pedagogy Circles
Pedagogy Circles aim to support members of the Vassar community in exploring how we are acting on and working toward equity and inclusion within and beyond the classroom. These informal conversations are focused on particular questions we want to explore about teaching and learning. Pedagogy Circles are co-facilitated by students and open to everyone at Vassar.
Pedagogy Circles are held several times a semester on Wednesdays (1:00–2:00 p.m.) in the LTRC in Thompson Library. The theme of these in Spring 2026 is Fostering Community in the Classroom. Pizza and refreshments will be provided. No registration is required.
Dates & Topics
How can we set up community guidelines at the start of the semester?
Wednesday, February 4, 2026 (1:00–2:00 p.m.)
How do we tackle difficult topics in the classroom?
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 (1:00–2:00 p.m.)
How does a sense of community benefit learning?
Wednesday, April 15, 2026 (1:00–2:00 p.m.)