John M. Burns Conference – Texas Tech University

The John M. Burns Conference on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning is co-sponsored each year by the Teaching, Learning, and Professional Development Center and the Teaching Academy. Named in honor of Dr. John M. Burns, who helped found the Teaching Academy, this conference is held each fall and features two sessions from an invited teacher-scholar. Past speakers include Ann Austin, Lindsay Masland, Michelle Miller, Noah Finkelstein, Bryan Dewsbury, Derek Bruff, and more.

This year, we are excited to hear from Dr. Vick Pitstick about Compassionate Pedagogy.

Vicki is the founder and owner of Compassionate Connections Consulting, an organization that assists higher education professionals in building quality connections with colleagues and students inside and outside the classroom. Vicki is a career educator and has spent more than 30 years working in higher education, serving in a variety of administrative leadership roles at multiple universities. Since moving into faculty development in 2014, she has found particular joy in partnering with faculty and departments on course and curriculum design, and in facilitating workshops that help educators create more meaningful learning experiences for students. Her work in compassionate pedagogy is deeply shaped by her research on faculty-student connection, as well as by her belief that care, empathy, and human connection are essential to effective teaching and learning and has presented on this topic at numerous local and national conferences.

A significant part of Vicki’s professional journey also includes ten years as a National Trainer for the One Circle Foundation, where she trained educators, social workers, and juvenile justice professionals to facilitate Girls Circles—small groups designed to create safe, supportive spaces for girls and young adults. She also collaborated with colleagues in higher education to write three Women’s Circle curricula for college women for the organization. This work strengthened her skills as a facilitator and deepened her commitment to helping people feel seen, heard, supported, and connected.

The conference will feature a keynote talk in the morning and a workshop in the afternoon with a lunch provided at the TLPDC between the sessions.. Please register by Wednesday, September 23rd.

*Please Note: While this conference is intended to be face-to-face, we may offer a virtual option for remote faculty. If you have a remote appointment, please email tlpdc@ttu.edu to request a Zoom link.

Registration will open soon!

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Oct
2
Fri
John M. Burns Conference: Morning Keynote
Available Seats: 72 of 72
Date: October 2, 2026 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Location:
Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North Wing
Room: TLPDC 151
Compassionate Pedagogy in Practice: Making Space for Connection, Mistakes, and Meaningful Learning
with Dr. Vicki Pitstick

In higher education, faculty are tasked with the difficult responsibility of holding high standards for student learning while also having compassion in the classroom. In this keynote session, Dr. Vicki Pitstick will talk about the value of holding those ideas together in tension. Compassionate pedagogy doesn't have to mean sacrificing rigor and it actually has potential benefits for deep learning and engagement. Participants will be invited to reflect on their own teaching as they consider new ways to build a classroom culture of connection and trust in order to make space for mistakes and risks and support high level learning. Lunch will be provided in the TLPDC lobby right after the session!
Oct
2
Fri
John M. Burns Conference: Afternoon Workshop
Available Seats: 72 of 72
Date: October 2, 2026 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Location:
Teaching, Learning & Professional Development Center
University Library, North Wing
Room: TLPDC 151
Compassionate Pedagogy in Practice: Making Space for Connection, Mistakes, and Meaningful Learning
with Dr. Vicki Pitstick

This workshop will build on the ideas of compassionate pedagogy discussed in the morning keynote. Participants will have the opportunity to think more deeply about the tensions that are directly related to student behavior, like authenticity vs. perfectionism, vulnerability vs. disengagement, and courage vs. shame. Groups will have time to develop concrete strategies, messaging, activities, and plans to assist in navigating these tensions while using a compassionate approach.