On January 8, 2026, educators from across NIU gathered online for the Spring 2026 Teaching Effectiveness Institute, Teaching Beyond Perfection: Embracing Challenges, Inspiring Growth. The event invited faculty to reframe mistakes not as failures but as meaningful opportunities for growth, connection, and innovation in teaching.

Through a powerful keynote, facilitated dialogue, and forward‑looking conversation, participants explored how normalizing teaching challenges can strengthen both individual practice and institutional culture.

Part 1: Keynote — Normalizing Teaching Setbacks with Snafu Edu

The institute opened with an engaging keynote by Dr. Jessamyn Neuhaus, author of Snafu Edu: Teaching and Learning When Things Go Wrong in the College Classroom.

Drawing on her research and extensive classroom experience, Dr. Neuhaus challenged the enduring “Super Professor” myth—the belief that great teaching equates to flawless performance.

Dr. Neuhaus emphasized that teaching is inherently human and imperfect, and that even the most thoughtfully designed courses can encounter setbacks. Rather than viewing these moments as personal failures, she argued that acknowledging and discussing “snafus” is essential for professional resilience, student learning, and equitable teaching.

By naming mistakes as “situation normal,” Dr. Neuhaus helped normalize the realities of classroom work and underscored why talking openly about teaching—especially when things don’t go as planned—matters for both faculty well‑being and student success.

Part 2: Discussion and Practice — Faculty Mentors Explore Real Solutions

Building on the keynote, NIU Faculty Teaching Mentors led dynamic discussions focused on complex, real‑world teaching challenges. Grounded in lived experience, this portion of the institute moved from reflection to action.

Faculty mentors and participants explored practical, evidence‑based strategies to address common classroom struggles, including:

Documenting and recognizing effective teaching practices
Gathering formative student feedback beyond end‑of‑term evaluations
Approaching teaching as an ongoing intellectual and reflective endeavor
Challenging internalized and institutional notions of the “perfect” teacher

Through shared dialogue, participants affirmed that growth‑oriented teaching communities thrive when educators learn from missteps together and support one another’s experimentation in the classroom.

Part 3: Continuing the Conversation—Ask the Expert Book Chat with Dr. Jessamyn Neuhaus, author of Snafu Edu

The conversation does not end here. Faculty are invited to continue exploring these themes with Dr. Jessamyn Neuhaus during an upcoming Ask the Expert Book Chat focused on Snafu Edu.

📅 February 18
💻 Online

This interactive session offers an opportunity to engage directly with the author, ask questions, and dive deeper into strategies for navigating teaching challenges with confidence and compassion. Registration is required.

Together, these conversations reaffirm a central message: effective teaching is not about perfection—it’s about learning, experimentation, reflection, and community. Join us as we continue to normalize growth, resilience, and honest dialogue about the work of teaching.