Join us for an insightful event where we will discuss strategies for handling challenging conversations in the classroom. We'll be focusong on productively managing difficult moments and disagreement in classes and strategies for monitoring and managing the "emotional temperature" of your classroom when addressing potentially difficult topics..
Please read the PSU resource Supporting Students through Difficult Conversations in preparation for this event. We look forward to talking about your past experiences and current ideas about managing difficult conversations in your teaching!
REGISTER NOW
How to attend
Note: This event is for Portland State University educators.The event will be remote and take place on Zoom. Follow the directions on your confirmation ticket to join us remotely.
Our events seek to be inclusive, and all are welcome. If you have accessibility requests, please reach out to oai@pdx.edu prior to the event - the sooner the better!
Meet the facilitators:
Grant Scribner
Education Development Specialist, Office of Academic Innovation, PSU
Grant Scribner is an Education Development Specialist in the Office of Academic Innovation, supporting faculty on a wide range of pedagogical issues through individual consultations, facilitating student feedback, and programming. Grant holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, an M.A. in History from Temple University, and a B.A. in History from Haverford College. Grant's commitment to promoting equity in education has informed his research on pedagogies of historical violence, his work as a teacher educator, and a K-12 teacher.
Megan McFarland
Digital Inclusion & Universal Design Coordinator, Office of Academic Innovation, PSU
Megan earned a BA in English Composition from Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA and an M.Ed with concentrations in both Secondary Special Education and English Language Arts from Portland State University. After serving as an English Learning Specialist for Vancouver Public Schools, Megan was the director and curriculum designer for a national high school leadership education program. Most recently, she worked to build the academic branch of Portland State's Career & Community Studies Certificate Program for students with intellectual disabilities. She is also currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Special Education Leadership & Policy at Portland State.
Harold McNaron
Teaching Learning, and Engagement Associate, Office of Academic Innovation, PSU
Harold McNaron is committed to education as a tool for social justice. As Teaching, Learning and Engagement Associate, he supports faculty teaching community-based learning courses via one-on-one consultations, syllabi reviews, interactive workshops and more. An alum of PSU’s Graduate School of Education, Harold’s work is informed by the theory and practice he has gathered from his time in activist spaces, the nonprofit sector and student affairs.
Raiza Dottin
Associate Director of Teaching, Learning, and Assessment, Office of Academic Innovation, PSU
Raiza Dottin has a doctorate in Learning and Leading with a concentration in Neuroeducation. She has a background in K-8 education as well as post-secondary and higher education. Raiza's prior professional work includes a diverse background in program management and support within research, public, and medical universities. Through her professional and educational work, she has established a strong track record of educational leadership, working with programs to create the student-centered environments and active teaching and learning spaces that form the core of her education beliefs. In her current research, Raiza strives to facilitate lifelong learning in higher education through the development of student-centered environments, with a focus on innovative assessment practices that examine critical thinking through experiential learning.