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Teaching-Line Faculty Mini-Retreats

Quarterly Mini-Retreats for teaching-line faculty to share innovative teaching practices, build community, and discuss timely topics.

The next Mini-Retreat is on Tuesday, May 26 from 11 am to 1 pm. Register now!

Overview

Join colleagues from across Northwestern at Teaching-Line Faculty Mini-Retreats, a new quarterly gathering created in response to what teaching-line faculty told us they value most: community, meaningful conversations, and opportunities to learn from colleagues and subject matter experts on topics that directly impact their work. This mini-retreat was intentionally designed with teaching-line faculty feedback and experiences at the center.

Spring Gathering: May 26, 2026 | 11:00 am–1:00 pm | Devereaux Foundation Room

Selected by participants of the winter mini-retreat, our spring topic is strengths-based learning. This two-hour mini-retreat offers two interactive 45-minute sessions where you will hear from Searle Center Distinguished Fellows and Northwestern instructors on the practices they use in their courses to harness students’ strengths for deep learning. Between sessions, continue the conversation and share your own on-the-ground expertise with colleagues over a seasonal lunch.

Eligibility

All teaching-line, clinical, and NTE track faculty.

Time Commitment

Participants are welcome to attend any or all portions of the two-hour retreat. 

  • 11:00–11:45 AM—Session 1: Strengths-Based Teaching as a Culturally Sustaining, Inclusive Practice
  • 11:45–12:15 PM—Lunch and Collegial Conversation
  • 12:15–1:00 PM—Session 2: Reflection and Metacognition for Student Development

Registration

Register now!

Past Topics

Winter 2026

Our first topic is grading, one of the most complex aspects of teaching. This two-hour mini-retreat offers two interactive 45-minute sessions: Searle Center Distinguished Fellows—recipients of the University Teaching Awards—will share practices they use in their courses, and members of Northwestern's Community for Ongoing Reflection in Education (CORE) will discuss how they have implemented alternative assessment across a range of disciplines. Between sessions, continue the conversation and share your own on-the-ground grading expertise with colleagues over a seasonal lunch.

Contact Us

Laura Ferdinand, Assistant Director of Content and Communications
laura.ferdinand@northwestern.edu