Welcome to the Tuesday Teaching Tip, an easy-to-implement tool that you can use immediately in your classroom teaching. 

TUESDAY TEACHING TIP: Maximizing micro-affirmations

Micro-affirmations are small acts and comments that create a sense of inclusion, validation, and support for those on the receiving end. For students – especially BIPOC students – micro-affirmations can validate their experiential reality, affirm their value as a person, and provide reassurance that they belong.

While micro-affirmations are often intentional, they can also occur naturally when we practice empathy and actively listen to others. These affirmations can be as simple as acknowledging someone's perspective, offering encouragement, or expressing appreciation for their contributions.

So, this week, we will challenge each other to be intentional about practicing micro-affirmations by reflecting on our assumptions and finding opportunities to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all students.

Here’s one way to do it 

• Normalize Diverse Perspectives: When students share personal experiences, affirm their validity. Say, "Thank you for sharing that perspective. It offers an important view that we might not have considered."
• Acknowledge Class-Wide Contributions: End classes by highlighting specific contributions students made that day: "I appreciated the way you all built on each other's ideas today. It showed real collaborative thinking."
• Frame Mistakes as Learning Opportunities: When a student makes an error, reframe it positively: "I'm glad you tried that approach. It’s a great starting point, and here's how we can build on it."
• Check In with Students: Ask students how they are experiencing the class and what support they may need. Consider anonymous feedback tools to ensure all voices are heard.
• Recognize Effort, Not Just Outcome: Encourage students to see value in the process, not just the result: "I see how much effort you put into this draft. That persistence will pay off as you revise."

By incorporating micro-affirmations into your teaching practice, you signal to students that they belong, they are valued, and that their growth and contributions matter. This creates a more positive learning experience for all students, especially those from historically marginalized groups.

DID YOU DO IT?

Let us know how it went. We would love to hear your feedback about how you implemented today’s Tuesday Teaching Tip in your classroom. Click here to fill out our 3-question survey. The survey is anonymous, but if you choose to enter your name, you’ll be entered in a drawing to win a new book from Faculty Development!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Join us at our next CAFE: Minimizing Peer-to-Peer Microaggressions in the Classroom January 21, 2025 and hear from panelists from across campus on strategies they use to minimize microaggressions in the classroom.

WANT TO READ A LITTLE MORE?

Check out this DRT page for more Inclusive Teaching strategies and practices.

This week’s Tuesday Teaching Tip was prepared by Long Le and Patti Simone on behalf of the Faculty Collaborative.

 

Missed a teaching tip? Read them all here. Don’t forget to check out our Faculty Associates office hours here.

And check out our full calendar of CAFEs and other Faculty Development and Faculty Collaborative events.