Writing Ourselves In Spring 2025

Writing Ourselves In, NOVA’s current quality enhancement plan, provides ongoing professional development for teaching, professional and administrative faculty that explores evidence-based practices to improve student learning and build community across the College. This spring, Writing Ourselves In will offer three different opportunities to connect with colleagues and learn something new about culturally responsive practices like collaborative, team-based learning; transparent assignment design; real-world skill-development; and alternative grading strategies. 

Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), Spring Semester
PLCs are small groups of faculty that meet regularly to discuss evidence-based teaching theories and a plan for how to use them. We will focus on two areas for spring 2025: alternative grading techniques and team-based learning. 

Register here. We especially encourage English faculty who have not yet participated in Writing Ourselves In professional learning to consider joining us for this opportunity. Please contact Jo Houston, English faculty at Woodbridge Campus, with any questions.

Winter Institute, February 17- April 7
The Writing Ourselves In Winter Institute is an asynchronous, seven-week Canvas-based course focusing on culturally responsive teaching, transparent assignments, and new this year, team-based learning. Faculty who complete the winter institute will receive compensation of $500. 

We especially encourage English faculty who have not yet participated in Writing Ourselves In professional learning to consider joining us for this learning opportunity. Please contact Cathy Gaiser, English faculty at Annandale Campus, with questions. Look for registration details later this semester.

Summer Institute, May 15-16 
The Writing Ourselves In Summer Institute will be held Thursday and Friday, May 15 and 16, at NOVA’s Pender Complex in Fairfax. The Institute will feature a keynote and workshop with Dr. Cate Denial, professor of American history and director of the Bright Institute at Knox College, who authored Pedagogy of Kindness. We will also learn from Nicole Tong, formerly English faculty at Annandale and currently dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at Reynolds Community College. Tong will present a workshop on the practice and benefits of transparency in learning and teaching (TILT). Faculty who complete the in-person summer institute and follow-up with online assignments will receive compensation of $500. 

We especially encourage English faculty who have not yet participated in Writing Ourselves In professional learning as well as ESL, education, communications, history, psychology, biology and business faculty to consider joining us for this learning opportunity. Please contact Scott Buswell, ESL/English faculty at Alexandria Campus, with questions. Look for registration details later this semester.

Submitted by:
Megan Reynolds, Assistant for QEP, MReynolds1@nvcc.edu