Co sponsored by the Teaching + Learning Lab & DoingWell at MIT

Join us for the final talk of the semester, with the option to attend a viewing in the Wellbeing Lab located in the newly renovated Student Center.

How can we create classrooms that encourage students to set challenging goals for themselves, that mobilize energy and stimulate creativity while also being compassionate about the many difficulties our students face to adjust to their learning needs? In this interactive talk, Sarah Rose Cavanagh will present some research and food for thought based on her most recent book on creating learning environments of compassionate challenge, ending with practical tips for teaching self-determined seekers of knowledge.

About the Speaker

Sarah Rose Cavanagh is the Senior Associate Director for Teaching and Learning in the Center for Faculty Excellence at Simmons University, and is an Associate Professor of Practice in the Psychology Department. Sarah’s research considers the interplay of emotions, motivation, learning, and quality of life. Her most recent research project, funded by the National Science Foundation, convenes a network of scholars to develop teaching practices aimed at greater effectiveness and equity in undergraduate biology education. She is author of four books, including The Spark of Learning: Energizing the College Classroom with the Science of Emotion (2016) and Mind Over Monsters: Supporting Youth Mental Health with Compassionate Challenge (2023).