Details about Keystone Concepts in Teaching: A Higher Education Podcast from the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning, a podcast by Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning

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https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/knowledge-center/keystone-concepts-in-teaching-podcast/
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https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/events/
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https://masoncore.gmu.edu/
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https://doi.org/10.15868/socialsector.44761
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https://doi.org/10.1002/ntlf.30379
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S5 E42: Finding Inspiration at George Mason's Teaching Conference

Season 5 · Episode 42

Wednesday, September 30, 2026 • Duration 22:13

In this special episode of Keystone Concepts in Teaching, host Breana Bayraktar speaks with attendees and presenters from George Mason University’s 18th Annual Innovations in Teaching and Learning Conference about what makes ITL such a meaningful space for faculty learning, connection, and inspiration. Guests Cindy Parker of Costello College of Business, Colleen Reynolds of English, Lorena Jordan of Libraries at Schar School of Policy and Government, and Sanja Avramovic of the College of Public Health share practical teaching ideas they took away from this year’s conference. From design thinking and career-readiness framing, to digital escape rooms, student wellbeing, and cross-disciplinary collaboration, our guests reflect on strategies they learned from George Mason faculty presenters across various disciplines. The conversation also highlights ITL as a welcoming, low-stakes opportunity to explore new approaches to teaching, connect with colleagues and campus resources, and share one’s own work with a broader audience. Whether you are a longtime participant or new to the conference, this episode offers a compelling look at how ITL helps George Mason faculty learn from one another and strengthen teaching across the university.

Learn more about ITL: https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/programs/home-itl-conference/

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S5 E41: Teaching Beyond Content Delivery

Season 5 · Episode 41

Wednesday, September 16, 2026 • Duration 23:43

In this episode of Keystone Concepts in Teaching, guests Joy Banks and Min Park from the College of Education and Human Development share with us how they create meaningful learning experiences across in-person and online teaching. Drawing on examples from their own courses in Education and Tourism Management, they reflect on how thoughtful course design—not just modality—shapes student engagement. The conversation also explores how faculty can help students grapple with complex and sometimes controversial topics across modalities by grounding discussion in evidence, inviting multiple perspectives, and giving students space to analyze, reflect, and grow. With practical insights for faculty across disciplines, this episode highlights how higher education teaching can move beyond content delivery to foster critical thinking, cultural competence, and meaningful student growth.

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S5 E40: Teaching Relevance Across Languages and Disciplines

Season 5 · Episode 40

Wednesday, September 2, 2026 • Duration 24:49

In this episode of Keystone Concepts in Teaching, we spoke with two George Mason University Korea faculty from very different disciplines, Statistics professor Ajiboye Babalola and Business and Law professor Omario Kanji, about how instructors can build relevance in a rapidly changing world. Drawing on examples from both their classrooms and life experiences, they discuss how connecting theory to real-world practice helps students see why course concepts matter beyond the classroom, from legal problem-solving to data-informed thinking. Their engaging conversation also explores multilingual teaching and the value of meeting students where they are through clear communication, relatable examples, and an intentional investment in their educational journeys. With thoughtful reflections on inclusion and the growing role of AI, this episode offers faculty practical inspiration through a collegial conversation marked by connection, storytelling, and humor.

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S5 E39: Perspective-Taking in the Classroom

Season 5 · Episode 39

Wednesday, August 19, 2026 • Duration 25:39

In this episode of Keystone Concepts in Teaching, Ana Farnham and Kristin Johnsen-Neshati from the College of Visual and Performing Arts at George Mason University share how perspective-taking can deepen teaching and learning across disciplines. Drawing on examples from graphic design and theater, they discuss how helping students consider audience, interpretation, and intent can deepen students’ thinking about how their work is experienced by others. The conversation also explores Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and other accessible, multimodal teaching practices that support student engagement by making room for different ways of learning and demonstrating understanding. With thoughtful examples and practical insight, this episode offers faculty an inspiring reminder that when we design courses around experience, curiosity, and access, we create more impactful learning environments for all.

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S5 E38: Creating Human-Centered Classrooms

Season 5 · Episode 38

Wednesday, August 5, 2026 • Duration 23:38

In this inspiring episode about humanizing higher education classrooms, host Rachel Yoho speaks with George Mason University English instructor Eric Auld and Xiaoyu Gao (former instructor with George Mason's English department at time of recording) about practical, research-informed strategies for building authentic connections with students across modalities—from asynchronous online courses to face-to-face composition classrooms. Our guests share concrete activities they use in their own classrooms to build a conducive classroom culture, discuss the value of appropriate instructor vulnerability in fostering student trust, and explore how humanizing teaching can address contemporary challenges like AI in student writing and faculty mental health. Whether you teach required first-year composition courses or upper-level seminars, you'll discover actionable approaches to create learning environments where students see writing as process over product, develop their authentic voice, and feel genuinely supported. This conversation offers fresh perspectives on transforming mandatory courses from perceived obstacles into engaging experiences while reminding us that sustainable teaching requires putting on our own oxygen masks first—a timely message for faculty navigating the complexities of modern higher education.

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S4 E37: The Inside Perspective from Graduate Students Who Teach

Season 4 · Episode 37

Wednesday, May 6, 2026 • Duration 25:22

For the first time, Keystone Concepts in Teaching features a graduate teaching assistant (GTA) and a graduate instructor as guests, offering faculty a candid look into the student-instructor perspective. Host Dr. Rachel Yoho is joined by Sehaj Gill and Yasmin Rahmani, who share anecdotes from teaching introductory labs and lectures at George Mason University while pursuing their own graduate degrees. The conversation emphasizes the importance of relatability, patience, and clear communication, especially when guiding students through their core course requirements. The episode explores lessons learned from handling classroom challenges, advice for professors on working productively with GTAs, and practical guidance for aspiring GTAs—including adaptability, not overlooking fundamentals in the age of AI, and confidently admitting “I don’t know.” Faculty will gain actionable strategies and new perspectives on creating supportive, relevant, and inclusive learning environments, straight from the voices of those teaching and learning at the same time.

Resource: George Mason University Graduate Education - Teaching Skills: https://graduate.gmu.edu/professional-development/teaching-skills

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S4 E36: Recognizing the Value of Investing in Teaching

Season 4 · Episode 36

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 • Duration 24:12

How do we develop, support, and recognize effective teaching across career stages in higher education? In this episode of Keystone Concepts in Teaching, host Dr. Rachel Yoho is joined by Christi Wilcox, Director of the Office of Outreach, Student Success, and Engagement in George Mason University’s College of Engineering and Computing, for a wide‑ranging conversation about faculty development, graduate student preparation, and the recognition of teaching and learning work. Together, they explore why investing in pedagogical training, especially early with graduate students, strengthens both institutions and the profession. Additionally, Christi provides listeners with strategies for how to make the value of teaching development visible and why faculty should strategically advocate for and document their teaching‑related professional growth. This episode invites faculty across disciplines to rethink recognition, professional development, and the many ways effective teaching contributes to student success and the broader higher education ecosystem.

Resource: Faculty Podcast Credential: https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/credentials/keystone-concepts-in-teaching-podcast-faculty-credential/

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S4 E35: Faculty Mental Health Matters

Season 4 · Episode 35

Wednesday, April 8, 2026 • Duration 22:39

Faculty mental health is rarely discussed—but deeply connected to teaching, learning, and student success. In this Hear From Your Host episode, guest host and Producer Kelly Chandler turns the microphone toward our host, Dr. Rachel Yoho, to explore faculty mental health as a critical, and often overlooked, aspect of higher education. Drawing on research and observations, the conversation examines structural stressors in academia, the isolating nature of teaching, and the importance of community and support. Faculty will gain language, context, and practical ways to think about wellbeing - not as individual self‑care alone, but as a shared, systemic commitment essential to effective teaching and sustainable academic pursuits.

Guest Note: This is an academic exploration of a topic, not medical or mental health advice. Many campuses, local communities, and health insurances have mental health support.

Resources: Some Mason Resources: Employee Assistance Programs: https://hr.gmu.edu/benefits/insurance-and-benefits/employee-assistance-programs/ Mason Korea: BetterHelp online counseling sessions available. TimelyCare: mental health line https://rsr.gmu.edu/timelycare-now-available-to-faculty-and-staff/?utm_source=provosts&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=facstaff&utm_term=20260126 Leave: https://hr.gmu.edu/benefits/leave/ Dual Career Assistance: https://hr.gmu.edu/support-resources/spouse-and-partner-employment/ Employee Resource Groups, Communities of Practice, and Other Networks: https://hr.gmu.edu/support-resources/faculty-and-staff-networks/ Disability and Religious Accommodations: https://hr.gmu.edu/support-resources/disability-and-religious-accommodations/ Center for the Advancement of Well-being's Faculty and Staff Resources: https://wellbeing.gmu.edu/resources-2/resources/ For references to the discussion and sources cited, please visit https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/knowledge-center/keystone-concepts-in-teaching-podcast/season-4-spring-2026-keystone-concepts-in-teaching/

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S4 E34: Career Readiness as a Teaching Practice

Season 4 · Episode 34

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 • Duration 22:29

George Mason’s University Career Services Executive Director, Saskia Campbell, joins host Dr. Rachel Yoho to explain the role her office plays in supporting students at the university and highlight practical ways faculty can partner in preparing students for life after graduation. The conversation explores George Mason’s career outcomes data, the chaos theory of careers, and the transferable skills employers value most. Faculty will also learn about low‑effort, high‑impact teaching practices and resources. This episode is a must‑listen for instructors interested in helping students make clearer connections between coursework and career pathways.

Resources: University Career Services: https://careers.gmu.edu/ Career Readiness Guide: https://mymasonportal.gmu.edu/bbcswebdav/xid-193714404_1 Career Influencers Network: https://careers.gmu.edu/faculty-staff/career-influencers-network Request a Classroom Presentation: https://careers.gmu.edu/faculty-staff/request-presentation

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S4 E33: Faculty Support is Student Support

Season 4 · Episode 33

Wednesday, March 18, 2026 • Duration 29:48

In this episode of Keystone Concepts in Teaching, host Dr. Rachel Yoho sits down with Dr. Kim Eby, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Development at George Mason University, for a wide‑ranging conversation about faculty recognition, teaching, and the changing landscape of higher education. Drawing on nearly 30 years of experience at George Mason, Dr. Eby reflects on student‑centered learning, interdisciplinary teaching, and what it means to support faculty across career stages in a time of increasing complexity. Settle in for an insightful conversation with Faculty Affairs' pivotal leader as she makes the compelling case that supporting faculty success is inseparable from supporting student success in a sustainable, effective higher education institution.

Resources: Faculty Affairs website: https://provost.gmu.edu/about/administrative-units/faculty-affairs-and-development, The Chronicle article Dr. Eby references: https://www.chronicle.com/article/how-ai-is-changing-higher-education

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Keystone Concepts in Teaching: A Higher Education Podcast from the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning - Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

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Shared links between episodes and podcasts

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Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

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Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Keystone Concepts in Teaching: A Higher Education Podcast from the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning - Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other96

SAGE Publishing3

DOI Foundation2

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other96

SAGE Publishing3

DOI Foundation2