Pillar 2: Fundamentals of University Teaching
Built for Instructional Excellence and Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy.
Quality instruction is rooted in data-driven and experience supported best practices. Pillar 2 serves as the core engine for pedagogical excellence, offering practical training in planning, engagement, and assessment practices, and course redesign. By providing a thorough and intentionally developed menu of multi-modality workshops, interactive planning guidance, and targeted course redesign funding, Pillar 2 ensures every instructor has the tools and skills needed to deliver high-quality learning.
Upcoming Events
September 2026
This session explores how aligning your personal teaching philosophy with classroom expectations can significantly boost student engagement and motivation. Participants will spend 60 minutes on interactive instruction exploring motivational frameworks, followed by 30 minutes of guided course development and 1-on-1 support.
Registration & Canvas: Email facultyexcellence@butler.edu to RSVP and gain access to the series Canvas page. Attendance for the full series is preferred, but drop-ins for individual sessions are welcome.
Date, Time, & Location: Tuesday, September 8, 3:00–4:30 PM, Atherton Union 326
Learn practical strategies for converting classroom tension into productive learning discussions. By explicitly identifying different types of intellectual and interpersonal tension, you can establish a healthy climate for civil discourse and constructive debate. Includes 60 minutes of guided instruction and 30 minutes of individual planning time.
Registration & Canvas: Email facultyexcellence@butler.edu to RSVP and gain access to the series Canvas page. Attendance for the full series is preferred, but drop-ins for individual sessions are welcome.
Date, Time, & Location: Monday, September 21, 3:00–4:30 PM, Atherton Union 326
High-impact practices play a key role in building a stronger learning environment while helping you manage your overall instructional workload. This workshop highlights research-based techniques proven to support all students, with a focus on helping underrepresented student populations succeed. Faculty will walk away with practical, evidence-based strategies to try in their own classrooms.
Registration & Lunch: Email facultyexcellence@butler.edu to RSVP. Meal vouchers provided; space is limited. Email to receive a listening link if unable to attend in person.
Date, Time, & Location: Thursday, September 24, Lunch 12:00–12:30 PM, Presentation 12:30–1:30 PM, Atherton Union 326
October 2026
Dive into foundational learning theory to structure assignments that challenge students without overwhelming them. This workshop focuses on scaffolding techniques using Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development to keep students actively engaged and motivated. Features 60 minutes of interactive content and 30 minutes of hands-on application time.
Registration & Canvas: Email facultyexcellence@butler.edu to RSVP and gain access to the series Canvas page. Attendance for the full series is preferred, but drop-ins for individual sessions are welcome.
Date, Time, & Location: Thursday, October 1, 3:00–4:30 PM, Jordan Hall 238
Move beyond crickets in the classroom. This session offers evidence-based active learning techniques designed to encourage broad participation, equitable dialogue, and lively discussion across all student demographics. Session structure: 60 minutes of guided instruction followed by 30 minutes of 1-on-1 planning.
Registration & Canvas: Email facultyexcellence@butler.edu to RSVP and gain access to the series Canvas page. Attendance for the full series is preferred, but drop-ins for individual sessions are welcome.
Date, Time, & Location: Monday, October 26, 3:00–4:30 PM, Atherton Union 326
November 2026
Address the challenge of student reading compliance and comprehension. Discover practical prompt structures and social reading strategies that motivate students to complete assigned readings and arrive prepared for deep critical analysis. Includes 60 minutes of instruction and 30 minutes of individual syllabus/assignment work.
Registration & Canvas: Email facultyexcellence@butler.edu to RSVP and gain access to the series Canvas page. Attendance for the full series is preferred, but drop-ins for individual sessions are welcome.
Date, Time, & Location: Monday, October 26, 3:00–4:30 PM, Atherton Union 326
Working effectively with others is a vital life skill, and group projects give students a safe space to practice navigating team dynamics and accountability. Collaborative assignments help students connect course content directly to real-world soft skills and practical problem-solving. For instructors, group work can also streamline grading and feedback, as there are fewer individual projects to evaluate. This workshop explores how to set up group projects that benefit both you and your students.
Registration & Lunch: Email facultyexcellence@butler.edu to RSVP. Meal vouchers provided; space is limited. Email to receive a listening link if unable to attend in person.
Date, Time, & Location: Wednesday, November 11, Lunch 12:00–12:30 PM, Presentation 12:30–1:30 PM, Atherton Union 326
Shift your assessment paradigm from evaluative “judging” to growth-oriented “coaching.” Learn feedback strategies that reduce grading fatigue while fostering student resilience, self-assessment, and continuous improvement throughout the term. Session format: 60 minutes of presentation + 30 minutes of personal assignment redesign.
Registration & Canvas: Email facultyexcellence@butler.edu to RSVP and gain access to the series Canvas page. Attendance for the full series is preferred, but drop-ins for individual sessions are welcome.
Date, Time, & Location: Monday, November 16, 3:00–4:30 PM, Atherton Union 326
December 2026
Learn how to design scaffolded assessment sequences where low-stakes formative tasks directly feed into high-stakes summative projects. This approach minimizes end-of-semester stress for both instructors and students. Features 60 minutes of guided curriculum mapping + 30 minutes of individual workspace time.
Registration & Canvas: Email facultyexcellence@butler.edu to RSVP and gain access to the series Canvas page. Attendance for the full series is preferred, but drop-ins for individual sessions are welcome.
Date, Time, & Location: Thursday, December 3, 3:00–4:30 PM, Atherton Union 326
Wrap up the semester by engaging in intentional reflective teaching. Learn how to annotate your current syllabus and course materials to document what worked, what needs tuning, and how to project those improvements directly into future terms. Includes 60 minutes of workshop time and 30 minutes of guided reflection.
Registration & Canvas: Email facultyexcellence@butler.edu to RSVP and gain access to the series Canvas page. Attendance for the full series is preferred, but drop-ins for individual sessions are welcome.
Date, Time, & Location: Wednesday, December 16, 3:00–4:30 PM, Atherton Union 326
January 2027
Many students come to class with worldviews limited to their immediate surroundings and social media feeds. Intentionally diversifying your curriculum helps prepare them for a broader world by exposing them to different cultures, customs, and perspectives. Simple choices, such as incorporating readings from underrepresented authors or facilitating civil discourse on tough topics, can be truly transformative for learners. This workshop offers straightforward ways to broaden your course content and foster a more inclusive classroom.
Registration & Lunch: Email facultyexcellence@butler.edu to RSVP. Meal vouchers provided; space is limited. Email to receive a listening link if unable to attend in person.
Date, Time, & Location: Tuesday, January 26, Lunch 12:00–12:30 PM, Presentation 12:30–1:30 PM, Atherton Union 326
February 2027
Free course materials remove a major financial burden for students while ensuring everyone has what they need to succeed from day one. Using Open Educational Resources (OER) gives you peace of mind while opening the door to flexible, high-quality content. This workshop explores the world of open-access materials and shows you how to easily supplement or replace your current textbook. You will learn where to find these resources and how they can simplify your prep work.
Registration & Lunch: Email facultyexcellence@butler.edu to RSVP. Meal vouchers provided; space is limited. Email to receive a listening link if unable to attend in person.
Date, Time, & Location: Thursday, February 25, Lunch 12:00–12:30 PM, Presentation 12:30–1:30 PM, Atherton Union 326