As the fall semester comes to a close, we want to pause and offer a sincere congratulations. Reaching the end of a term is no small accomplishment. You’ve guided students through new ideas, supported them through challenges, and made space for learning in all its messy, meaningful forms. Thank you for the time, care, and energy you bring to your teaching and to our campus community.
We hope the weeks ahead bring you a well-deserved, restorative break—time to rest, disconnect, and focus on whatever helps you recharge. Whether that looks like travel, reading for pleasure, catching up on sleep, or simply enjoying a quieter pace, we hope it’s exactly what you need.
The Harte Center will also be embracing this pause. We won’t be thinking about work (much!) over the break—but we’ll be refreshed and ready to consult, brainstorm, and plan with you beginning Monday, January 5.
Feeling Inspired? Optional Ways to Ease into Winter Term
Of course, rest comes first. But if you do find yourself with a little curiosity or creative energy over break, here are a few low-pressure, optional ideas to explore:
- Capture ideas while they’re fresh
Jot down notes about what worked well this fall and what you might tweak next time. Your future self will thank you. - Revisit one course with fresh eyes
Ask yourself: What’s one small change that could improve clarity, engagement, or accessibility? This might be revising a single assignment, adding a model/example, or simplifying instructions. - Explore Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Consider where you might offer students more flexibility in how they engage with content or demonstrate learning—small shifts can have big impact. - Experiment with generative AI tools
Try using AI—everyone at W&L has access to Microsoft Copilot—to brainstorm discussion prompts, draft assignment instructions, generate examples, or reword complex explanations. Even 10–15 minutes of exploration can spark ideas for winter term.
Again—none of this is an expectation. Think of these as invitations, not to-do items.
Thank you for everything you’ve done this semester. We are grateful for your work and look forward to partnering with you in the new year.
Wishing you a peaceful, joyful, and truly restful break. We’ll see you in January.
— The Harte Center Team
