Introduction

What makes great teaching? This is a question that has been asked across centuries, disciplines, and institutions, and the answer continues to evolve. At its heart, great teaching is about fostering learning. It is about creating environments where students feel motivated, supported, and challenged. It is about designing instruction that is inclusive, evidence-based, and adaptable to the diverse needs of students. It is also about the educator—their mindset, preparation, and commitment to ongoing growth.

This guide is designed to provide educators—whether new faculty, graduate instructors, or experienced teachers looking for fresh ideas—with the tools and insights to enhance their teaching. We begin with the foundation: understanding who our students are, how they learn, and how we, as educators, can create conditions for their success. From there, we explore how to structure courses, design meaningful assessments, facilitate discussions, and implement active learning techniques.

Importantly, this book does not prescribe a single “right way” to teach. Instead, it offers research-based strategies that can be adapted to fit different teaching styles, disciplines, and learning environments. Teaching is a dynamic process that requires continuous reflection and adaptation, and this guide is intended to support you in that process.

Throughout this book, you will find practical teaching tips, examples, and reflective prompts to help you apply these ideas to your own courses. Our goal is not just to provide information, but to foster a sense of confidence and curiosity as you develop your teaching practice.

Whether you are designing your first syllabus, revising an assignment, or rethinking your entire approach to student engagement, we hope this guide will serve as a trusted companion in your work. Let’s begin.