[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Recommended by Anabel Livengood, Senior Educational Developer <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Picture this: <\/span>you, <\/span>a<\/span> dynamic<\/span> <\/span>college professor, lecturing animatedly and effortlessly <\/span>in a lecture hall<\/span> filled with students who are<\/span> on the edge of their seats and<\/span> in<\/span> absolute<\/span> awe of <\/span>every word that comes out of your mouth<\/span>. <\/span>Does that sound like a regular Monday in the classroom to you? Jessamyn Neuhaus finds this persisting stereotype of what an effective college learning experience \u201cshould\u201d look like, troublesome, and the reality is far from that. Instead, Neuhaus\u2019 newest book, Snafu Edu<\/em>, starts with the premise that \u2013 by nature \u2013 we are going to make mistakes in the classroom, and that we should instead of trying to live up to impossible standards of an \u201cideal professor,\u201d humanize the college educator, learn from mistakes, and continue growing as instructors.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/87\/2025\/10\/snafu-edu-book-cover.jpg” alt=”Book cover of %22Snafu Edu%22 by Jessamyn Neuhaus.” title_text=”snafu edu book cover” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Neuhaus, J. (2025). <\/span><\/span>Snafu Edu. <\/span>Teaching and Learning When Things Go Wrong in the College Classroom<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/em>. The University of Oklahoma Press.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n As she reminds us: \u201cTeaching effectively is an ongoing process of accruing new knowledge, trying new things, assessing the result, reflecting on what worked well and what didn\u2019t, revising your pedagogical practice, and repeat.\u201d (p. 83) <\/span>Snafu Edu<\/span><\/i> helps you to do exactly that \u2013 it encourages you to reflect on your teaching practice and to build onto your own already existing teaching strategies. In her book, Neuhaus identifies five major root causes of classroom snafus (inequity, disconnection, distrust, failure, and fear), analyzes why and how they might negatively impact both our teaching experience as well as the learning experience of our students, and provides repair strategies for each of these areas.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I want to leave you with two mini pieces of advice from her book. First: Surround yourself with fellow educators who you can have those conversations with when things don\u2019t go as planned. Why? Teaching is not, contrary to popular belief, a solitary undertaking, and building our own village of instructors we can confide in and seek advice from is crucial for our own well-being and professional development. And secondly, remember to STIR \u2013 Stop, Think, Identify, Repair when you find yourself in an unpleasant teaching situation (no worries, she explains this strategy in detail). So, I hope you will find <\/span>Snafu Edu<\/span><\/i> helpful for when (not if!) it becomes necessary to pull in additional advice and it will help you to continue creating classrooms in which equity, connections, trust, success, and agency are thriving.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n To access the full collection of teaching-related recommendations, visit CFC\u2019s<\/em>\u00a0We Recommend<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" How to bounce back from teaching disasters? Snafu Edu might just have the answer November 2025 Recommended by Anabel Livengood, Senior Educational Developer \u00a0Picture this: you, a dynamic college professor, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3390,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" [et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.27.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_row column_structure=\"3_5,2_5\" _builder_version=\"4.27.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_column type=\"3_5\" _builder_version=\"4.27.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.27.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]<\/p> Recommended by Anabel Livengood, Senior Educational Developer <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p> One book that I keep going back to and have been recommending to faculty for years is Saundra McGuire\u2019s <\/span>Teach Students How To Learn<\/span><\/i><\/a>. My copy is highlighted, scribbled in, and has oh so many earmarks. Her book became an instant classic for a reason - she explores the importance of how we, as instructors, can have an even bigger impact on our students\u2019 lives that goes beyond the content knowledge and the skills we want to teach. Originally written ten years ago, McGuire (a chemistry professor) provides actionable strategies on how and when in the semester you can (and should) incorporate lessons that help students to develop metacognitive strategies that will make them more proficient lifelong learners \u2013 and keep them motivated along the way. <\/span><\/p> [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=\"2_5\" _builder_version=\"4.27.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][et_pb_image src=\"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/87\/2025\/09\/Dr.-Saundra-McGuire.png\" alt=\"Book cover of %22Teach Students HOW to Learn%22 and headshot of Saundra McGuire.\" title_text=\"Dr.-Saundra-McGuire\" align=\"center\" _builder_version=\"4.27.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.27.4\" _module_preset=\"default\" global_colors_info=\"{}\"]<\/p>\n
The Science of Learning Meets the Art of Teaching<\/span><\/span><\/h2>
October 2025<\/span><\/span><\/h3>