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 provides 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.