The information presented in this guide is general in content and broad in scope, and we expect the guide to be a work in progress as we plan to update it every year and add more information. Use this guide as a framework to build your teaching excellence and as a supplement to the help and support you may receive from your colleagues, mentors, students, and the Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Mary Samardzija, Instructional Design Coordinator, at the Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center for compiling the information and editing this guide within a short time. Without her effort and dedication this guide would not have been possible. I would like to express my gratitude to all the contributors for their willingness to share their expertise and help us develop this guide.
Teaching is an exciting, challenging, rewarding, multi-faceted profession.
As a teacher you also take on the role of facilitator, mentor, tutor, and advisor to young people at critical moments in their lives. Your role as a teacher is the essential element in the path to success of every student you meet, as you engage them in the learning process, provide the feedback and guidance they need to improve their academic performance, and motivate them to pursue life-long learning. This guide provides ideas and resources to help you explore new approaches to teaching and assess old ones. We hope you will find the time, energy, creativity, commitment, and enthusiasm to use what is presented in the guide and find the additional information you may need to continue to improve your teaching. The Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center is proud to support Northern Illinois University's commitment to excellence in teaching and we wish you the very best success and enjoyment in your teaching career.