This final session will
focus on teaching and service. With
regard to teaching, law professors of color often report special challenges in
the classroom stemming from dynamics that are hard to spot and to know how to
address. This session will identify specific issues that may be of concern. How
do I deal with difficult students? How do I ensure diverse participation in the
classroom? How should I address the various differences among
students—including racial, sexual orientation, or gender differences — and
differences between students and myself? Speakers will offer some advice on how to plan and to facilitate
classroom teaching in both large and small courses, and to be a more effective
teacher.
With regard to service, new
law teachers unexpectedly realize that they must provide service to their
school, university, profession, and community as outlets for their academic and
non-academic passions and interests. How do you approach the third prong of the
tripartite journey toward tenure? How does one determine which service
obligation to prioritize? Speakers will explain how service may be viewed as a
gateway to learning about, and being active and influential in, the operation
of your school and provide an opportunity to interact with your colleagues—and
for them to interact with you—to build strong personal and professional
relationships. Speakers will also illustrate the ways in which the power
resides with you to transform your service obligations, create your own service
opportunities, and follow your passion in order to develop and extend your
areas of expertise and your networks at the same time.