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Reimagining teaching teams as communities of practice—a cross-disciplinary perspective

When

1 – 2 p.m., March 25, 2026

Where

SUMC, Kachina Lounge and Virtual - Register Now
Headshots of Corin Gray, Sarah Grace, Susan Hester, John Kanady, Laura Van Dorn, and Maggie Keef overlaid on an image of small human-shaped icons arranged across a surface and connected by thin glowing lines, forming a network. Several figures are softly illuminated at their bases, and the scene has a warm, blurred background, suggesting digital connectivity or social networking.

Featuring 2024 CUES Spanning Boundaries Challenge Grantees Corin Gray, Sarah Grace, Susan Hester, John Kanady, and Laura Van Dorn, along with special faculty panelist Maggie Keef, this hybrid seminar and panel will explore how CUES grants advance teaching and learning research at the University of Arizona and beyond (see abstract below).

Presenters:

  • Corin Gray, Assistant Professor of Practice, Molecular & Cellular Biology; College of Science
  • Sarah Grace, Assistant Professor of Practice, Psychology; College of Science
  • Susan Hester, Associate Professor of Practice, Molecular & Cellular Biology; College of Science
  • John Kanady, Senior Lecturer, Physiology; College of Medicine-Tucson
  • Laura Van Dorn, Associate Professor of Practice, Chemistry & Biochemistry; College of Science
  • Maggie Keef, Associate Professor of Practice, Fashion Industry Science & Technology; College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences

Abstract

At our university, teaching teams composed of instructors, undergraduate and graduate Teaching Assistants (TAs), and undergraduate Learning Assistants (LAs) play a critical role in supporting student success. Despite their importance, little is known about how these teams function. We used a Communities of Practice (CoP) framework and qualitative approach to characterize teaching-team dynamics and to generate hypotheses about what practices support CoP elements. In this talk, we will present data supporting the importance of community-building and establishing a culture of collaboration and communication as a foundation for domain and practice. A panel of recent FLC (Faculty Learning Community) participants will discuss their experiences implementing plans to improve their teaching teams based on lessons learned from this work. This presentation and panel will be of interest to members of the education research community and/or instructors who utilize or are planning to implement teaching teams to support their courses.

Accessibility

REGISTER NOW

Please only register for this hybrid event in-person if you are fully committed to attending.

Closest Parking: Second Street Garage

With questions about access or to request any disability-related accommodations for this event such as ASL interpreting, closed-captioning, wheelchair access, or electronic text, etc., please contact cues@arizona.edu.

Inside UofA-Funded Scholarship Series