Elizabeth Bojsza, a faculty member in Stony Brook’s Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science and School of Communication and Journalism (SoCJ), has received an effective teaching certification.
Bojsza completed a nine-week Belonging and Inclusive Teaching Fundamentals program through the Lumen Circles Fellowship program, an open-education provider that offers professional development experiences for educators.
“Taking part in Lumen Circles as I was teaching a summer class brought belonging and inclusivity top of mind for me every time I prepped a lesson and interacted with students, both in and out of class. I found myself making different, more intentional choices that I will now carry forward into all of my future curriculum design and teaching assignments,” said Bojsza, who is graduate program director at the SoCJ and an Alda-certified instructor at the Alda Center. “Being a part of this learning community has challenged my thinking and pushed my creativity in teaching into new areas.”
In earning the certification, Bojsza demonstrated an expanded understanding of how to facilitate inclusive environments where all students feel they belong and can thrive personally and academically; apply evidence-based teaching practices that support a sense of belonging and inclusion in the learning environment; plan, apply and analyze the impact of evidence-based teaching strategies and applied reflective teaching methods; and share ideas and feedback with peers.
“As an educator and a science communication trainer, Elizabeth has always been committed to doing everything she can to ensure others feel at ease and empowered to use their voices and share their experiences,” said Laura Lindenfeld, dean of the SoCJ and executive director of the Alda Center. “Earning this certification is further demonstration of her commitment to the vital principles of diversity and inclusion, and I applaud her for her achievement.”
Faculty from around the 64-campus State University of New York system were invited to apply for Lumen Fellowships through a partnership with the SUNY Center for Professional Development, SUNY OER Services and Lumen Learning.
That is so cool E-beth!