Designing a Training Program to Nourish an Educator’s Confidence
How do you support someone who’s supporting students?
This project focused on creating a faculty and staff training program (FYE 101) to prepare instructors of all backgrounds to successfully teach First Year Experience (FYE) courses. These instructors came from advising, administration, and academic departments unrelated to pedagogy while others held decades of faculty experience. My goal: ensure every instructor felt confident, equipped, and aligned with the purpose of the course, despite their backgrounds and expertise through this instructor training program.
About the Project: FYE 101 Training & Development Program
This was an internal instructor training and development initiative designed to:
- Clarify the intent and structure of the FYE 101 course
- Offer practical strategies for delivering weekly modules
- Help instructors reflect on how their unique professional lens benefits first-year students
- Foster a sense of community among instructors across departments
This training program was rooted in radical empathy: not just for students, but for the instructors stepping into unfamiliar roles.
Instructional Design Focus
I created a training framework that included:
- Needs analysis of new and returning instructors
- Sequenced learning outcomes for both pedagogy and self-awareness
- Interactive components that modeled the student experience
- Templates and messaging support for classroom consistency
The instructor training emphasized modular content that could be customized depending on time, teaching format, or role (full-time faculty or staff).
Deliverables for a Hybrid Training Program
- Instructional Design Document (below)
- Custom eLearning training module-based program for asynchronous delivery
- Templates for onboarding, reflective journaling, and facilitation support
- Face-to-Face session to orient instructors prior to beginning their course
- Final face-to-face workshop for new instructors to collaborate with those who taught in previous years
- Assessment and feedback forms
Planning Documents for FYE 101 Training & Development Program
Instructional Design Document-Follows process for new course offered as training and development for new instructors of FYE Course, USI 130, The University Experience.
Project Charter-Reviews all logistical and budgetary needs, anticipated deliverables, as well as a full work breakdown structure of project.
Course Maps- Each Map involved narrowing scope of both learning objectives, assessment and course content.
NOTE: Due to client confidentiality, I cannot publicly share published eLearning proprietary materials. Original planning documents can be viewed through the links above.
Why It Matters: Nourishment as Faculty Development
Too often, faculty development feels like compliance. Quite often it is ignored or given zero priority. What I built was different. This training program was about confidence-building, perspective-taking, and permission to lead with care.
Some instructors came in unsure if they even “belonged” in the classroom. This training program was designed to say: you do. With clarity and connection, you can teach FYE 101 in a way that nourishes students and yourself.
Let’s Build Something Nourishing
I specialize in creating humanized experiences for all involved. If you’re ready to redesign your services or offerings, I’d love to collaborate.
I can’t wait to work alonside you!
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Until next time – keep shining for those who would otherwise remain in the dark. Be the light!
