Teaching Renewal Retreat
July 29, 2025
Teaching authentically requires rest, renewal, and reflection, especially when it occurs over many years and seasons. Parker Palmer, noted author of The Courage to Teach reminds us that, “teaching is a vocation that requires constant renewal of mind, heart, and spirit” and that we “teach who we are” when we bring our inner and outer selves and lives to the classroom in vulnerable and meaningful ways.
With this in mind, we encourage those of you who have been teaching for a little while* to consider registering to join us at our inaugural Teaching Renewal Retreat coming this July 29 at the Jonesborough Storytelling Center. This all-day faculty renewal retreat seeks to provide a collaborative, mindful, and thoughtful space for contemplative thinking about our purpose, passions, and practice with opportunities for personal and pedagogical renewal and rejuvenation.
Whether you have been teaching for ten years or thirty, let’s connect and establish a renewal community that explores and revisits our identities, core beliefs, values, and considers our challenges as we seek rest, renewal, and reflection in our teaching that sustains us and our students over time.
*We will let you define your readiness for this retreat, but some period of time with teaching experience will help with our activities.
Register
Logistics
When: Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Time: 8:00a - 4:30p (any adjustments will be within these hours)
Where: International Storytelling Center, Sara Keys Parlor (upstairs)
100 W. Main Street; Jonesborough, TN
Who: ETSU full- and part-time teaching faculty
Retreat Leaders: Dr. Lori Meier, CTE Affiliate, & Dr. Alison Barton, CTE Director
Cap: First 30 registrants accepted
Cost: Free
Deadline: Applications received through end-of-business, July 28, 2025, or sooner if full
What to Expect
- Light pre-work ahead of the retreat meeting
- Guided discovery of your personal intersections with and envisioned future for teaching
- Individual reflection time, indoors or outside (weather permitting)
- Group community building and sharing
- Light breakfast, lunch, & snacks provided
- Additional reflective activities may be included
This day is intentionally designed from beginning to end, and building community is
an important part.
Therefore, if registering, please plan to stay for the full day.
If a conflict with your registration arises, please notify us at barton@etsu.edu.
Benefits
Attendees will depart this day with
- A copy of the book, The Courage to Teach
- A binder for reflective activities and future pedagogical wellness materials
- A sense of support from a cohort of teaching colleagues
- Understanding and recommitment to their personal purpose and direction with teaching