This Week for Faculty: A Pedagogy of Kindness

A Pedagogy of Kindness

“A Pedagogy of Kindness is not the same as ‘being nice’ or ‘being lenient’ to students, and it does not mean we lower academic standards or expectations. It’s a philosophical approach which informs all aspects of teaching practice (…). A pedagogy of kindness revolves around creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where educators consider students’ well-being and personal growth alongside academic achievement.” (Grant and Pittaway, 2024: 4).

There have been a number of recent books focused on pedagogies of care and well-being in higher education including: Denial’s A Pedagogy of Kindness (2024); Grant and Pittaway’s Enacting a Pedagogy of Kindness (2024); and Eaton, Hunsaker, and Moon’s Improving Learning and Mental Health in the College Classroom (2023). All remind us of what we as instructors can do to reduce uncertainty and stress in the classroom through the ways we design our curricula, courses, assessments, and syllabi with our students and their well-being in mind. Drawing on these books, here are three strategies you can use to create a supportive learning environment that centers your students well-being in the classroom:

1. Encourage students to connect with you
A pedagogy of kindness is believing students when something gets in the way of their ability to learn in your course (Denial, 2024). Recognize that students may face many challenges throughout their time at the University. Students may find themselves struggling with trauma, illness, overwhelm of events outside the classroom or other issues. Invite students to connect with you as soon as a challenge arises. Students will appreciate being listened to, validated, and supported.

2. Connect students to wellness resources
Students may not be aware of the University well-being resources available to them. Share these with your students. Include them in your CourseWorks course site and on your syllabus, and mention them in class. Alice! Health Promotion provides well-being resources, consultations, and peer advocates, to support students so they can achieve their personal and academic goals. Share the dates of upcoming Alice! Health Promotion workshops (e.g., on test anxiety strategies, managing cognitive load, final prep and study skills) with students or request an Alice! Health Promotion workshop to be offered in your classroom on topics such as time management, reducing and managing stress.

3. Create opportunities for students to connect with each other around wellness
Make space for a “wellness moment” that also builds community (Eaton, Hunsaker, and Moon, 2023). Periodically set aside two minutes for students to discuss a question related to wellness. Prompts might include:

• What is your favorite thing to do outdoors around here?
• Where are the best places and times on campus to play sports, do yoga, meditate, or connect with other students who like to play board games?
• What are your favorite healthy things to eat and where can you find them on campus?
• What are some of the best ways you have found to get more sleep?

In discussing wellness with peers, students will connect, raise their self-awareness and may find inspiration to take action. This can also help reset student attention to the course material. Consider other contemplative practices that help students connect with each other and focus on course material.

Course Design Support from the CTL

Are you developing a new course for Spring 2025? 
The CTL provides course design support as you design a new course or redesign an existing course for Spring 2025. Engage with our on-demand resources including self-paced course, video playlist, and designing an inclusive syllabus. Schedule a consultation to discuss your course. CTL consultants can look over your syllabus and provide feedback. Reach out to us at CTLfaculty@columbia.edu.

Upcoming sessions

Entering Mentoring: Maintaining Effective Communication
October 10, 10:00-11:00am
Related resources on the Advancing Mentorship Practices page

Navigating HOT Moments: Before, During, & After Class
October 15, 11:00am-12:00pm
This session will also be offered on November 18 and December 4
Related resource: Navigating Heated, Offensive, and Tense (HOT) Moments in the Classroom

Faculty Book Discussion Group: Teaching with AI
October 24, 3:00-4:00pm
This discussion group will also meet on November 21
Related resource: Teaching and Learning in the Age of AI

The CTL is here to help!

Connect via Zoom or phone
Join us for office hours via Zoom (or phone) Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm to have your teaching with instructional technology questions answered, or schedule an appointment any time by contacting ColumbiaCTL@columbia.edu.

Schedule a consultation
Schedule a consultation to discuss any teaching and learning need by emailing ctlfaculty@columbia.edu or email the CTL Learning Designer assigned to your school or department.