Message from the Dean

Welcome to Teaching @ Smith!

At the Robert H. Smith School of Business, we take pride in combining superlative teaching and instruction with the pursuit of cutting-edge research programs of the highest caliber. The commitment to teaching at the Smith School is pervasive: faculty continually refresh their course contents, test different pedagogical approaches in the classroom, experiment with novel technologies, lead study trips abroad, facilitate student teams, and serve as mentors to refine the leadership and entrepreneurial skills of our students.

While some may find it possible to pursue research or teaching excellence as separate goals, the vision of the Smith School seeks greatness in the creative and transformative integration of these two key dimensions of academic life. Our goal is greatness which requires that we weave the central values of scholarship into the fabric of our daily endeavors as educators. To realize this vision, our faculty must embrace the open communication and sharing of the best instructional practices, the development of the faculty teaching skill set over time, and the careful documentation and investigation of mechanisms that produce the greatest and most meaningful types of learning for our students.

The Teaching Enhancement Committee has had a long history of giving recognition to the best teachers at the Smith School. In keeping with our move from excellence to greatness outlined in the School’s plan for 2005-2009, I have asked this committee to expand its mission beyond recognition of the best teachers to become an engine for developing great teachers. The Teaching Enhancement Committee will play an active role in collecting and disseminating resources that will help Smith faculty excel at teaching.

The present site is the first fruit of this expanded vision: it highlights, celebrates, supports, and develops Smith faculty teaching. I invite the Smith School community to examine its contents and to collaborate in making the site even better.

Videos: (For TEC's Viewing Only)

Tips for Establishing Credibility
Advice for New Teachers
Getting in the Zone to Teach
Holding Students to High Standards
Preparing to Lead Discussions