Darlene Carbajal from the University of the Incarnate Word presented for the first time at the Lilly Conference online 2021 a session entitled “Addressing Big Questions: Determining Professional Goals at a Time of Crisis.” Carbajal teaches communication with a focus on multimedia and explained how they love teaching face-to-face. Carbajal described the transition to online learning and giving grace to students and to instructors. In addition to helping learners develop skills, Carbajal encouraged us to consider helping students determine their professional goals and how to develop spiritually. The impact of the pandemic on learning and relationships will have repercussions for several years. Carbajal reviewed their dissertation research and research on spiritual development. Among the questions asked was “how does the college community influence spiritual development?” and Carbajal explained that we must ask ourselves as faculty “how can we support student development and capacity for connectedness?” Carbajal cited several studies and asked how can we seek purpose and meaning within our lives and in our classes. Students in the college classroom, mentioned Carbajal, are thinking about “Big Questions” such as their purpose and values. Carbajal also talked about how spirituality is “the essence of who we are as human beings” and does not necessarily have to be linked to religion. I thought it was interesting how Carbajal has an assignment that combines spirituality and design: students create a book and the text is based on their reflections on their career paths and spirituality. During the recording, Carbajal didn’t have slides: pulling books from a bookcase behind, Carbajal explained how spirituality is introduced into course assignments using information from these sources. The “mentoring environment” was described as the classroom and the institution and how “we always bring ourselves within the lives of our students.” Carbajal invited the audience to pick up pen and paper to think about who we are and how it gets transferred into the classroom. Carbajal showed the cover of Parker J. Palmer’s Courage to Teach and the importance of self-reflection to shape the teaching/learning environment. Carbajal asked:
- What did you experience this year professionally and personally?
- How did your experiences shape your teaching and the teaching-student relationship?
- What can you do next semester to create community and sense of belonging for the students?
- What opportunities can you offer students to increase their self-awareness?
Carbajal was honest, engaging, and shared several books. The questions above could be used as we plan for the fall semester to enrich the learning and wellbeing of course participants.
