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CETL Resources: Contact CETL

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The Center for Engaged Teaching and Learning fosters excellence in teaching and learning at Mars Hill University by providing resources, enrichment opportunities, faculty development, and strategies that support quality and innovative instruction.

Request for Help

The primary purpose of the Center for Engaged in Teaching & Learning is to improve student learning on our MHU campus by continually improving teaching and learning outcomes. The Center serves all teaching faculty including tenure-track faculty, visiting faculty, adjunct faculty, and instructors.

The CETL will support MHU faculty members as they continue to strive for teaching excellence, innovation in pedagogy, and meaningful engagement in the best practices of teaching and learning.

Support Services:

Non-evaluation support to faculty and instructors are provided on a voluntary, confidential basis.

  • Portfolio Support – guidance and resources to faculty and graduate instructors interested in assembling and maintaining teaching portfolios;
  • Individual, Confidential Consultations – advice from the Center’s director and staff regarding course plans, classroom management, presentation style and content, and the effective use of technology in the classroom;
  • Classroom Observations – observations for teacher self-evaluation and improvement;
  • Analysis of Student Evaluations – analysis and synthesis of student evaluations of courses geared towards improving student learning;
  • Assessment of Student Learning– assistance with the construction of tests and rubrics that measure targeted learning objectives; and
  • Assistance to Departments – support for classroom applications of technology as it relates to pedagogy, course redesigns, pedagogical policy and philosophy statements, assessment strategies, and strategic planning initiatives related to teaching.

To request services, please email us at cetl@mhu.edu or make a appointment with us at https://calendly.com/cetl 

Chris Cain

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I have worked for the past 23 years in the field of education (including my time in the public schools). I also work as a consultant with the N.C. Department of Ed as well as several other states. To this day I have a passion for learning and how learning works. My interest and growing expertise lie in the following areas:

  1. Research-based instruction and best practices for durability of learning
  2. Universal Design for Learning
  3. Evidence-based interventions and modifications for active and engaged learning  
  4. Classroom observation and problem solving around the six critical teaching behaviors
  5. Classroom behavior – crisis prevention/de-escalation
  6. Data driven instructional decision making

I am happy to work alongside you in rethinking / redesigning your own classroom experience to ensure the best outcomes for our students.   

Email me: ccain@mhu.edu 

Wendy Dover

I have worked in higher education for more than 20 years and hope to bring valuable expertise to you and your students. My particular interests lie in research and the design of everything educational, from a single assignment all the way up to an entire course. I have an Ed Specialist degree in Instructional Technologies and Design and would love to help you redesign a class, update assignments, and create new content for your courses. 

Email me; wendy_dover@mhu.edu

Marty Gilbert

Kari Hunt

Nicole Soper Gorden

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I have a BA in biology and English and a PhD in plant biology, but I've always had an interest in teaching and mentoring.  This is my 8th year at MHU, where I teach botany and other biology courses, and I especially enjoy teaching hands-on topics and interdisciplinary classes.  I can also help with data analytics, active learning, collaborative learning, and classroom observation/feedback.

Email me: nsopergorden@mhu.edu

Kelly Spencer