Preparing For a Successful First Class
CATE TA Workshops
January 9, 2026
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Location
Virtual event
Calendar
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Overview
The first day of class has a lasting impact on student perceptions and performance throughout the semester. In this workshop you will prepare for a first day of class, setting yourself and your students up for success. You will learn about student-centered strategies to engage and excite students, set clear expectations, and build community. You will also leave the workshop with a plan to welcome your students to the course and prepare them for the semester ahead. Please bring a laptop or device to begin working on your welcome materials.
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Reflect on the importance of the first day and the opportunity it represents.
- Learn strategies for setting clear expectations that emphasize growth.
- Develop their own plan for welcoming students to the course and to each other
WORKSHOP FORMAT: This workshop will be online on Zoom
WORKSHOP FACILITATOR: Noah Blakemore Briggs, nblake4@uic.edu
WORKSHOP CONTACT: Emily Potratz, epotra2@uic.edu
Inclusivity & Accessibility Information: CATE is committed to making events accessible. CATE’s online events are delivered through Zoom, will use Zoom auto-captions, and may include breakout rooms and group discussion. If you have any accessibility questions, requests, or to coordinate accommodations, please contact the CATE team at teaching@uic.edu.
Date posted
Dec 12, 2025
Date updated
Dec 12, 2025