Creating a caring learning environment begins with educator well-being. But in a complex and often ambiguous learning landscape, how do we revitalize and sustain our joy as educators to center belonging for ourselves and our students? In this mini-workshop, we will interrogate the “myths” inherent in the personal and societal agreements that we come to accept that steal our joy, and then create new self-agreements that reflect our authentic selves. Based on the work of Don Miguel Ruiz, author of The Four Agreements and thought leaders in Warm Demander pedagogy. Participants will leave with practical pedagogical strategies that enhance work-life balance through nurturing trusting relationships with students, colleagues, and relationships in their personal life. Join this session to walk away with concrete ideas, practices, and a revitalization in your role as an educator.

Practicing teaching in contemporary higher education involves balancing sorting and certifying students who demonstrate content oriented knowledge, skills, abilities, and habits with centering courses creation of broadly inclusive learning communities so that talent and potential is not wasted in individuals, communities, and societies. Innovations in classroom and communication technologies have changed how time and space operate in education. This project explores the introduction, development, and ongoing recreation of high flex teaching practices in upper division Political Science courses between 2021 and 2023.