Signature Workshop Series

Overview
Imagine combining the warmth of your favorite coffee shop with practical, hands-on professional development. That’s the essence of Café Conversations. These intimate, collaborative workshops create a relaxed environment where educators gather to share experiences, learn new skills, and tackle real challenges together.
This semester’s accessibility focus couldn’t be more timely. Whether you’re new to accessibility or looking to refine your skills, these sessions will equip you with practical tools and strategies you can implement immediately.
Each conversation is designed to be interactive and supportive, giving you space to ask questions, share challenges, and learn alongside colleagues who understand the realities of today’s teaching environment.
Please Note: you must have a Passport Portal account to register for these workshops. Create an account here or learn more about the Passport program here. 

Workshops for Fall 2026:

Café Conversations: Textbook/Course Material Adoption and Accessibility 
Instructor: Ryan Rushing 
09/14/2026 | 12:50 PM – 1:50 PM 
Virtual 
In this workshop, we will identify what the instructors are responsible for in ensuring the accessibility of course materials, textbooks, and courseware. For faculty using courseware not provided through the bookstore, we will discuss the questions you need to ask your publisher and how to assess whether the materials comply with accessibility standards. The majority of the session will be open Q&A and discussion on any topic relating to the accessibility of course materials. 
Passport categories: Accessibility in Learning Design, Open and Affordable Resources 

Register for Café Conversations: Textbook/Course Material Adoption and Accessibility 

 

Overview
The Getting Started with AI workshops series is designed for teachers just starting out with AI or wanting to enhance their AI skills. These short 30-minute workshops will help you incorporate AI into your teaching. Getting Started with AI is part of Passport to Great Teaching, a professional development program that lets you choose which path to travel as you earn teaching certificates. 
Please Note:

You must have a Passport Portal account to register for these workshops. Create an account here. 

Workshops for Fall 2026:

Getting Started with AI: The Essentials of AI Policies 
Instructor: Jennifer Parker, Ed.D. 
09/17/2026 | 12:50 PM – 1:20 PM 
Virtual 
Explore essential AI policy elements that align with your teaching philosophy, empower exploration, and uphold academic integrity.   
Passport categories: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Foundations of AI 

Register for Getting Started with AI: The Essentials of AI Policies 

GSWAI: The FLUFF Test – Better Prompts and Critical Evaluation of AI Generated Results 

Instructor: Jennifer Parker, Ed.D. 
10/01/2026 | 12:50 PM – 1:20 PM 
Virtual 

Learn to build better AI prompts and master the critique of generative AI. Move beyond hallucinations and empower your AI interactions with the FLUFF Test.    

Passport categories: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Foundations of AI 

Register for GSWAI: The FLUFF Test – Better Prompts and Critical Evaluation of AI Generated Results 

GSWAI: AI for Providing Authentic and Actionable Feedback 
Instructor: Jennifer Parker, Ed.D. 
10/15/2026 | 12:50 PM – 1:20 PM 
Virtual 
Explore AI instructor tools that provide timely, personalized, and actionable feedback to enhance student learning. Use AI to analyze and act on student feedback to improve teaching.  
Passport categories: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Meaningful Assessment, Useful Feedback 

Register for GSWAI: AI for Providing Authentic and Actionable Feedback 

GSWAI: AI for Presentations that Pop! 
Instructor: Jennifer Parker, Ed.D. 
11/12/2026 | 12:50 PM – 1:20 PM 
Virtual 

Explore AI tools and techniques to deliver more polished, professional, and appealing presentations. Use AI to build the Presentation, the Outline, and the visually appealing Product (POP)!    
Passport categories: Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

Register for GSWAI: AI for Presentations that Pop! 

GSWAI: AI for Career Ready and Project Based Learning Experiences 
Instructor: Jennifer Parker, Ed.D. 
12/10/2026 | 12:50 PM – 1:20 PM 
Virtual 

Deepen student engagement with discipline specific AI applications in business or industry. See how AI can enhance productivity and engage students through a career lens.    

Passport categories: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Effective Teaching Practices, Meaningful Assessment 

Register for GSWAI: AI for Career Ready and Project Based Learning Experiences 

Overview
The Tenure and Promotion Workshop Series is designed specifically for faculty interested in learning more about the tenure and promotion process at the University of Florida.
Please Note:
You must have a Passport Portal account to register for these workshops. Create an account here or learn more about the Passport program. 

Workshops for Fall 2026:

Tenure and Promotion Workshop Series: Demystifying Tenure and Promotion at UF 
Instructor(s): Alexandra Bitton-Bailey, Ph.D. and Chris Hass, Ph.D. 
09/22/2026 | 09:35 – 10:35 AM 
In Person 

Join us for an engaging workshop for faculty in their first few years at UF that unpacks the tenure and promotion process, step by step. You’ll hear directly from the Associate Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs, get your personal questions answered, and walk away with insider tips for preparing your tenure and promotion packet. This interactive session will equip you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence you need. Sign up and take the next step towards securing your place at UF! 

Passport categories: Effective Teaching Practices, Intentional Design for Teaching 

Register for Tenure and Promotion Workshop Series: Demystifying Tenure and Promotion at UF 

Tenure and Promotion Workshop Series: Preparing Your T&P Packet 

Instructor: Michael Barber, Ph.D. 
10/06/2026 | 09:35 AM – 11:05 AM 
In Person 

In this workshop, faculty who are preparing to submit their T&P packets in the next few years will dive into the key components of the UF tenure and promotion packet. We’ll focus on one of the most important—and sometimes challenging—elements: documenting student learning. Learn how to highlight your teaching effectiveness with clear, compelling evidence that goes beyond student evaluations. You’ll leave with practical strategies, examples, and innovative ideas for presenting your impact in the classroom. 

Passport categories: Intentional Design for Teaching, Useful Feedback
 
Register for Tenure and Promotion Workshop Series: Preparing Your T&P Packet   

Tenure and Promotion Workshop Series: Teaching Statements 
Instructor: Alexandra Bitton-Bailey, Ph.D. 
10/20/2026 | 09:35 AM – 11:05 AM 
In Person
 
Join us for a unique opportunity to gain insights into what makes an effective teaching statement. You’ll learn how to enhance your teaching narrative, making your teaching statement stand out. Bring your draft teaching statements for an intensive, collaborative working session. This workshop is designed to provide you with personalized feedback from both peers and experts in small group settings.   

Passport categories: Effective Teaching Practices, Intentional Design for Teaching 

Register for Tenure and Promotion Workshop Series: Teaching Statements 

Overview
Teaching Sparks are dynamic, focused 30-minute sessions designed to quickly ignite new ideas and enhance your teaching practice. Each Spark dives deep into one specific, high-impact teaching strategy or technique that you can implement immediately in your classroom.
Think of Teaching Sparks as your professional development espresso shot—concentrated, energizing, and designed to deliver maximum impact in minimal time. Whether you’re looking to refresh familiar strategies, discover new approaches, or adapt techniques across different learning environments, these sessions provide the perfect blend of expert guidance and peer collaboration.
Please Note:
You must have a Passport Portal account to register for these workshops. Create an account or learn more about the Passport program. 
What Makes Teaching Sparks Special?

Laser-Focused Learning – Each session tackles one specific practice, giving you deep, actionable insights rather than surface-level overviews
Quick Implementation – Walk away with strategies you can use in your very next class
Interactive Experience – Move beyond passive listening to active participation, idea-sharing, and collaborative problem-solving
Practical Application – Explore real tools, resources, and templates that work across different class sizes and learning modalities
Peer-Powered – Learn not just from instructors, but from the collective wisdom and experiences of fellow educators
Adaptable Strategies – Discover how to scale and modify techniques whether you’re teaching 15 students or 150, in-person or online
Perfect For Busy Educators
Teaching Sparks sessions encourage active participation, resource sharing, and the kind of authentic educator-to-educator exchange that sparks innovation in your teaching practice. Come ready to share your own “go-to” strategies while discovering new ones that will energize both you and your students.

Workshops for Fall 2026:

Teaching Sparks: Asking Good Questions and Responding to Answers 

Instructor: Michael Barber, Ph.D. 
09/30/2026 | 12:50 PM – 1:20 PM 
Virtual 

Learn to craft questions that spark thinking, deepen understanding, and fuel discussions! We will also discuss strategies for responding to students in ways that promote learning.  

Passport categories: Effective Teaching Practices, Growth-Oriented Learning Communities, Relationship-Rich Classrooms 

Register for Teaching Sparks: Asking Good Questions and Responding to Answers 

Teaching Sparks: Simple Syllabus Walk-through with Faculty 
Instructor: Linda Nguyen, Ph.D. 
11/04/2026 | 10:40 AM – 11:10 AM 
Virtual 

Join faculty for a Teaching Sparks session on Simple Syllabus. Learn practical tips, Canvas integration, and lessons learned before the spring deadline. 
Passport categories: Crafting Quality Online Learning, Intentional Design for Teaching 

Register for Teaching Sparks: Simple Syllabus Walk-through with Faculty 

Teaching Sparks: Strategies for Difficult Dialogues 
Instructor: Michael Barber, Ph.D. 
11/16/2026 | 12:50 PM- 1:20 PM 
Virtual 

Explore tried and true tips to navigate unexpected conflict in class discussions. Strengthen your ability to navigate emotionally charged moments with clarity and confidence. 
 
Passport categories: Cultural Competencies, Effective Teaching Practices, Growth-Oriented Learning Communites, Relationship-Rich Classrooms 

Register for Teaching Sparks: Strategies for Difficult Dialogues