Tools for Well-being in the Classroom

Tools for Well-being in the Classroom (TWC) is a Well-being in Learning Environments initiative that builds on the work that faculty members and other instructors are already doing to support student learning and well-being.

Faculty members, instructors, and TAs/TMs are invited to try out quick strategies to support well-being in their own classes, tutorials, and learning environments, and have their students participate in a survey to evaluate its impact. An additional goal of this initiative is to expand the network of faculty, instructors, and TAs/TMs interested in exploring strategies that support well-being in learning environments.

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Everyone’s well-being has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and incidents on the world stage; each person has and continues to experience this differently. The pandemic has exacerbated mental health stressors. Youth aged 18-30 have been particularly likely to report increased anxiety and stress in 2020 (Samji et al., 2021). Students at post-secondary institutions also reported increased stress as we all navigated the switch from in-person to remote teaching, along with other pandemic-related educational complications (Rashid & Di Genova, 2020). Instructors, faculty, and TAs/TMs play an important role in creating conditions that support student well-being, and with that student learning, engagement, and retention.

For more information about the impact of well-being on student success, and ways that instructors can affect both, see this project rationale.

What’s in it for you?

• Resume for advancement/line for CV

• Improved classroom environment and student learning

• Be part of a support network of faculty, instructors, and TAs/TMs

• Access resources and learn with and from others on what they are doing to contribute to well-being and student academic success

• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

• Letter of recognition from Dr.Elizabeth Elle, vice provost and associate vice-president, Learning & Teaching

• Fostering connection and practicing kindness
• Students appreciation every little thing we do that shows that we care
• Embracing a flexible approach
• Instructors who are trying out different well-being strategies