The John M. Burns Conference on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning is co-sponsored each year by the Teaching, Learning, and Professional Development Center and the Teaching Academy. Named in honor of Dr. John M. Burns, who helped found the Teaching Academy, this conference is held each fall and features two sessions from an invited teacher-scholar. Past speakers include Ann Austin, Lindsay Masland, Michelle Miller, Noah Finkelstein, Bryan Dewsbury, Derek Bruff, and more.

The 25th annual John M. Burns Conference will be held on Friday, October 2, 2026 at the TLPDC.

Compassionate Pedagogy in Practice: Making Space for Connection, Mistakes, and Meaningful Learning

with Dr. Vicki Pitstick.

Registration will open soon!

Morning Keynote

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | TLPDC 151

In higher education, faculty are tasked with the difficult responsibility of holding high standards for student learning while also having compassion in the classroom. In this keynote session, Dr. Vicki Pitstick will talk about the value of holding those ideas together in tension. Compassionate pedagogy doesn't have to mean sacrificing rigor and it actually has potential benefits for deep learning and engagement. Participants will be invited to reflect on their own teaching as they consider new ways to build a classroom culture of connection and trust in order to make space for mistakes and risks and support high level learning.

Lunch Break

12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | TLPDC Lobby

Afternoon Workshop

1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. | TLPDC 151

This workshop will build on the ideas of compassionate pedagogy discussed in the morning keynote. Participants will have the opportunity to think more deeply about the tensions that are directly related to student behavior, like authenticity vs. perfectionism, vulnerability vs. disengagement, and courage vs. shame. Groups will have time to develop concrete strategies, messaging, activities, and plans to assist in navigating these tensions while using a compassionate approach.

 

 

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Vicki Pitstick

Recordings of Previous Sessions

*Please Note: While this conference is intended to be face-to-face, we may offer a virtual option for remote faculty. If you have a remote appointment, please email tlpdc@ttu.edu to request a Zoom link.