Last week, many instructors at Berkeley kicked off their summertime teaching reflection by attending (and for some, presenting in) the second annual Teaching & Learning Conference, which took place on May 3rd at International House. Today we share a few highlights from the all-day conference, notably those that participants found to be most directly applicable to their reflective teaching practice.

• The day kicked off with space for three Affinity Groups to connect and reflect on teaching and technology, graduate student learning, and navigating teaching as educators of color. Conference attendees highlighted how useful this community-building time was in reminding them that they are not alone in their teaching challenges and that they can both share and find guidance amongst their peers. Some attendees shared that the Affinity Groups provided them not only with an opportunity to share their own experiences but also to learn how others are navigating similar issues. They came away equipped with new teaching strategies, feeling more connected, supported, and inspired.
• Conference participants also noted the usefulness of the Teaching Demonstrations that took place that morning. In rotating small groups, attendees engaged with demonstrations from faculty and Research, Teaching, & Learning (RTL) staff alike on topics ranging from accessible presentations, classroom AI use, active learning techniques, and more! 
• At lunch time, Associate Professor of Theater, Dance, & Performance Studies Abigail De Kosnick gave a thought-provoking keynote address on College Teaching Since 2020. In her talk, she addressed the many challenges and lessons that pandemic pedagogy brought to the forefront, as well as how they endure and compound within institutions where teaching is not centered. Asking us to imagine a world in which teaching were the center of our campus, Professor De Kosnick shared with participants some of the ways in which she and other instructors work to center care in the classroom community. While it may feel like foregrounding accommodations and checking in with our students’ well-being is beyond the scope of an instructor’s training, Professor De Kosnick urges us to consider how humanizing our classroom communities and sharing our equity-minded intentions with our students can take our teaching to the next level. Watch the full keynote recording.
• Finally, as the day came to a close, attendees moved between a series of Teaching & Learning Talks given by faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate assistants. These talks included strategies for equitable assessment, designing virtual learning spaces, pedagogy training, collaborative learning, and more. Attendees emphasized the usefulness of the wide range of strategies shared in these sessions. You can refer to the full conference schedule for details about the presentations and presenters.