Ready, Set, Teach: Preparing for a Successful First Class
CATE TA Workshops
August 19, 2026
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Location
Lincoln Hall Room 100
Address
707 South Morgan Street, Chicago, IL
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, we will explore how first-day strategies help to establish community, shape class culture, and set mutual semester expectations. Together, we’ll discuss and practice student-centered strategies to engage and excite students. You will leave the workshop with a draft of a welcome email to send to your students and a plan to welcome your students to the course and prepare them for the semester ahead.
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 held in Lincoln Hall room 100 (707 S. Morgan Street)
WORKSHOP FACILITATOR: Jenny Torres, jtorr74@uic.edu
WORKSHOP CONTACT: teaching@uic.edu
Inclusivity & Accessibility Information: CATE is committed to making events accessible. In-person events typically involve a combination of presentation and discussion-based activities. We welcome ASL interpreters, note-takers, and accompanying assistants to in-person CATE events.
TA workshops will take place in-person primarily in Lincoln Hall, 707 S. Morgan St with larger capacity workshops being held in Lecture Center C, 802 S. Morgan St. To access the second floor of Lincoln Hall there is an elevator in Grant Hall with skybridge access to the second and third floors of Lincoln Hall via Douglas Hall (UIC campus map).
Accessible restrooms are available on the first and second floors of Lincoln Hall and Douglas Hall, and an accessible all gender restroom is available on the first floor of Douglas Hall next to the women's restroom. There are 20 fully separated all gender bathroom stalls in Lecture Center E (806 S. Halsted St.) located on the West side of the building. To find additional all-gender restrooms visit the all-gender restroom campus map on the gender and sexuality center website.
For more access info or access requests, please email teaching@uic.edu.
Date posted
Jul 10, 2026
Date updated
Jul 10, 2026