PEP Talks

In this episode, Dr. Amy Graham welcomes Dr. Lisa Rezende for an enlightening conversation about online course development in the sciences. They dive into the significance of outreach for demystifying science to the general public. Dr. Rezende, a former Business major turned Microbiology Ph.D., shares insights into giving students agency in course design and fostering a “should-free” learning environment. She also touches upon her ...

Dr. Kristin Winet joins Dr. Amy Graham to delve into professional development avenues for educators, particularly resources offered to graduate and postdoctoral students via the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL). This network of research institutions offers courses and workshops geared towards nurturing innovative teaching practices among its students. Together Dr. Kristin Winet and Dr. Amy Grah...

*WARNING: this episode contains a discussion about suicide*

Dr. John Jewett's 8th-grade self somehow knew that he would be a science professor! Hear the story of how he got here by receiving a letter from his former self while in college. Also: ways that he prepares for an upcoming semester by learning from the previous one, strategies for using videos to support instruction, and a bevy of ways to incorporate music into class. Dr. ...

Andrea Hamilton, a current graduate student and mentor TA, talks with Dr. Amy Graham about her pathway from wanting to be a doctor to being a PhD candidate in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. She gives strategies for preparing to teach new material while recognizing that no one can possibly know everything and the importance of honoring yourself while crafting your teaching style. Hear ways of explaining complex topics...

Through discussion of the courses she teaches, Dr. Amy Drescher gives strategies to have students approach complex topics and sound advice for all about how people approach food. Dr. Drescher shares her journey toward achieving her PhD that includes overcoming a lack of mentorship and an unrealistic expectation of what it would take to complete it as well as the importance of giving grace and celebrating success in the face of chal...

Dr. Amy Graham and Dr. Kate Bunton discuss how they were thrown into teaching and how they learned from those experiences. They also share strategies for building off of what students already know, how to create a positive classroom environment, and how to move into teaching skills rather than just knowledge. Dr. Bunton also gives advice on how to effectively use homework in the classroom as well as what she can learn from it to re...

Dr. Lisa Elfring and Dr. Amy Graham discuss their pathways from research into teaching by being guided by what motivated them. Lisa also shares insights into how she likes to be called in the academic world, how teaching has shaped her as a parent (and vis versa), advice for developing a personal teaching style, strategies for soliciting student feedback, and some funny stories of the inevitable moments of running into students off...

Dr. Erin Galyen, a Professor of Practice with the University Center for Assessment, Teaching, and Technology and the Co-Coordinator of the Certificate in College Teaching program, highlights some of the resources available through UCATT. She shares examples of different types of active learning, courses available, coaching and support opportunities, one week mini-courses on a variety of topics such as "course level assessment", str...

Dr. Amy Graham talks with educator and TA mentor, Dr. Colleen Kelley about her path to academia as a first generation college student and how that has shaped her teaching. Dr. Kelley shares some best practices for teaching, grading, strategies to diminish anxiety in the classroom, and the benefits of observing other educators.

Dr. Colleen Kelley is the Creator and Founder of Kids’ Chemical Solutions (www.kidschemicalsolutions.com) ...

While Dr. Ashley Jordan has always had a clear vision of herself as an educator, her journey reinforces how opportunities can come from a wide variety of places. Learn about tools, strategies, and creative assessments that she employs in her online classes that can be transferred to in-person classroom communities. Dr. Amy Graham and Dr. Ashley Jordan also admit that they have been wrong and discuss how they handle it when that hap...

Keerthana Kesavan, an experienced graduate TA, shares strategies for creating a comfortable learning environment and a connected classroom culture while navigating the American university structure as an international student. 

Keerthana completed a Ph.D. in biochemistry at the University of Arizona in 2022. During graduate school, she was a teaching assistant for 5+ years and has taught general and organic chemistry labs and assis...

Dr. Amy Graham talks with Dr. Tori Hidalgo, an associate professor of practice in the Chemistry and Biochemistry department at the University of Arizona (see her full bio on the show site). She shares her journey to becoming an educator and how she overcame her own struggles to become the educator that she needed in school. She also discusses advice for giving feedback, creating an inclusive classroom, tools for active learning, an...

Marco is a graduate TA pursuing a masters in TESL at the University of Arizona. He shares his journey as an international student and what he enjoys most about teaching. Join Dr. Amy Graham as she discusses the notion of experts, making mistakes, and the power of language with Marco. 

Dr. Melody Buckner and Dr. Lisa Elfring discuss some of the amazing resources offered at the University Center for Assessment, Teaching, and Technology at the University of Arizona. 

UCATT site

Melody Buckner, PhD, is the Associate Vice Provost of Digital Learning Initiatives and Online Education. She joined the University of Arizona six years ago as an Instructional Designer to help faculty create online courses that reach out and...