Liberty University’s Conference for Teaching Excellence (CTE) opens January 14, and I will be contributing two presentations. One is an academic paper titled “Patience as Pedagogy,” and the other is a video presentation titled “Fostering Peace and Belonging in Digital Learning.” Both come from a deep concern for teaching that forms people, not just outcomes, especially in digital spaces.
The first is an academic paper titled “Patience as Pedagogy.” The paper argues that patience is not a peripheral virtue or a logistical delay, but a discipline that shapes how learning unfolds over time. In an educational culture driven by speed, productivity, and measurable outcomes, patience often gets treated as inefficiency. In practice, it is often the condition that allows students to think, integrate ideas, and grow with depth rather than haste.
The second contribution is a video presentation titled “Fostering Peace and Belonging in Digital Learning.” This presentation looks closely at how digital learning environments shape students long before content is absorbed. Online classrooms frequently prioritize efficiency, surveillance, and constant responsiveness, yet overlook the emotional and relational conditions that support real learning. Peace and belonging are not sentimental add-ons. They are necessary for trust, attention, and sustained engagement.
The Conference for Teaching Excellence is open to Liberty educators, counts toward CECs, and has historically welcomed outside educators by invitation. Both the paper and the presentation will be available on my website after the conference opens.
Grateful for spaces that take teaching seriously and allow room for careful conversation about what learning is meant to do.