Teaching and Writing Retreat
Every August, Middlebury faculty and staff gather to discuss effective teaching strategies. In this congenial forum, they learn new pedagogical approaches and strengthen skills for teaching in general as well as for the teaching of writing.
2025 Retreat Updates
Registration is open until August 11th. This year’s retreat will be Thursday, August 28 - Friday, August 29 at the Kirk Alumni Center, which overlooks the golf course. See the full schedule.
2025 Teaching and Writing Retreat
Teach, Write, Connect: A Community-Centered Retreat
Thursday, August 28 - Friday, August 29
Reconnect with colleagues, engage in meaningful conversations about teaching and writing, and prepare with confidence for the upcoming academic year. The retreat will include opportunities to:
- Hear from the new Dean of Faculty, Roberto Lint Sagarena
- Reflect on the evolving role of writing and AI in a Middlebury education
- Explore practical strategies for identifying each student’s learning foundation and supporting their growth beyond it
- Gain inspiration from curious and generous colleagues—lessons learned from teaching and learning fellows and grant holders
- Apply new insights directly to your fall course planning
Sponsored by the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Research and the Writing and Rhetoric Program.
Teach, Write, Connect: A Community-Centered Retreat
Coffee and Casual Gathering
Greetings and Retreat Overview
Message from Roberto Lint Sagarena, Dean of the Faculty
As the new Dean of Faculty, Roberto will share his thoughts about challenges and opportunities for our learning community in the coming academic year.
Opening Plenary
2025: The Place of Writing at Middlebury and Beyond
Melissa Hammerle and Hector Vila
Building a Community of Writers: Strategies and Stories of Success—and Occasional Failure
James Sanchez, Catharine Wright, and Shawna Shapiro
Lunch and Free Time to Walk, Connect, and Reflect
Learning in Community: Faculty Stories from Digital Teaching Fellowship and AI Mini-Grant Programs
This session will be facilitated by Sarah Lohnes Watulak (DLINQ) and showcase faculty colleagues sharing their process and lessons learned from creating digital learning projects.
All Together Now: Reflecting on the Day, Questions, and Takeaways
Social Time Over Celebratory Refreshments
Coffee and Casual Gathering
Syllabus Group Discussions
Support for finalizing your syllabus. Please bring one syllabus draft to share in a small group.
Closing Lunch and Wrap-Up
All retreat participants are welcome. Even if you only signed up for Day 1, please come join us for the closing lunch.
New This Year—New Faculty Post-Retreat Gathering
Focus on New Faculty—Where Do We Go from Here?
Join Roberto Lint Sagarena, Amy Morsman, and Hector Vila for a new-faculty-focused discussion, campus tour, and celebratory refreshments in town.
2025 Organizing Committee
The retreat has been planned with care by members of the Writing and Rhetoric Program and the CTLR Advisory Committee:
Hector Vila, Associate Professor of Writing and Rhetoric
Sarah Lohnes-Watulak, DLINQ Director of Digital Pedagogy and Media
Amy McGlashan, CCI Director of Academic Outreach and Special Projects
Amy Morsman, Director of the CTLR and First Year Seminar Program
Jill Strube, CTLR Center Coordinator
Zara Contractor, Assistant Professor of Economics
Daniel Silva, Associate Professor of Luso-Hispanic Studies
Danielle Simon, Assistant Professor of Music
Recent Retreats
2024 Retreat: I Wasn’t Trained for This: How to Build and Benefit from an Inclusive Classroom
2023 Retreat: Students Expectations - Faculty Expectations: How Prepared Are We for Fall ‘23?
2022 Retreat: Recovering Ourselves: Relationships and Sustainable Strategies