Building a Culture of Teaching Excellence: The Work of UBalt’s Teaching Scholars
The Teaching Scholars in Residence (TSiR) program continues to foster a culture of teaching excellence and scholarship. Designed to support faculty as they engage in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), the program creates space for interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of faculty-driven initiatives. As CELTT’s inaugural cohort of Teaching Scholars shares their research at the SoTL Commons Conference in Savannah, Georgia, a new group of scholars is beginning their own research journeys—exploring innovative teaching strategies across disciplines.
The first TSiR cohort has spent the past year engaging in SoTL projects that examine classroom practices, student motivation, and learning outcomes. Their work, presented at SoTL Commons, reflects the program’s commitment to inquiry-driven teaching. Their research has focused on the role of alternative grading in creative disciplines, the impact of teamwork on creativity, the ways law students respond to the Socratic Method, and transformative learning in Peace and Conflict Studies classrooms. These projects not only contribute to UBalt’s teaching culture but also position its faculty as active contributors to national conversations about pedagogical innovation.
As the first cohort concludes their residency at the end of this semester, a new group of scholars is stepping in, bringing fresh perspectives and research questions. While their projects are still taking shape, these faculty members are curious about AI’s role in personalized learning, law students’ study habits, teaching personas, scaffolded information literacy instruction, the effectiveness of recorded lectures in asynchronous courses, and the impact of debate and engagement strategies on student learning. Through cross-disciplinary dialogue and research, they are not only enhancing their own teaching but also helping to shape UBalt’s broader approach to faculty development.
The impact of the TSiR program extends beyond individual research. One of its most significant contributions is the launch of Teaching Allies, a faculty mentorship initiative designed by the inaugural TSiR cohort. This program provides a non-evaluative space for faculty to connect with experienced peers, explore new teaching strategies, and strengthen UBalt’s culture of pedagogical collaboration. Some faculty have already begun making initial connections through Teaching Allies, though there is room for more participants to join the list and expand these mentorship opportunities. Faculty can browse Teaching Allies profiles to find mentors who align with their instructional needs, or even apply to become a Teaching Ally themselves. The site, launched earlier this semester, serves as a direct outcome of the TSiR program’s commitment to long-term faculty engagement.
As the TSiR program continues to evolve, its scholars are making lasting contributions to UBalt’s teaching community. Through their research, mentorship, and faculty-driven initiatives like Teaching Allies, they are shaping a culture where pedagogical inquiry and collaboration thrive.
