Professors at Newman University are gaining national attention for their work in peer observation and teaching excellence.
In April, Newman’s Director of Teaching and Learning Marguerite Regan, Ph.D., co-presented at the 2025 American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico. More than 900 universities submitted proposals to present at the prestigious event, but less than 20% were selected.
Of those 20%, Newman University, in collaboration with Lauren Barbeau of Georgia Institute of Technology, took the stage.
Barbeau is the co-author of “Critical Teaching Behaviors,” a teaching and learning framework that Newman has adopted and is leading the way in implementing. Regan and Barbeau presented in the conference’s “Leading Institutional Change” track. Their session, “What Does Good Teaching Look Like?: Developing an Effective Peer Observation Program,” explored how well-designed peer observation tools can enhance teaching and foster more equitable assessment practices.
“Our goal was to share how Newman faculty are using peer observations grounded in the Critical Teaching Behaviors framework to foster a culture of trust and well-being,” Regan said.
Transforming teaching for the better
Thoughtful peer observation isn’t just evaluative — it can be transformative for educators.
“Effective peer observations can enhance reflection, boost confidence and build community related to teaching,” Regan added.
Regan and Barbeau’s session highlighted Newman’s implementation of a peer observation community of practice. Through this initiative, faculty engage in ongoing conversations about teaching, offer constructive feedback to one another and collectively redefine what good teaching looks like at their institution.
Angie McCoy, assistant dean and Master of Business Administration program director, has participated in the Center for Teaching and Learning’s peer observation opportunities since the sessions began in August. She explained that while faculty come from various disciplines, those disciplines don’t always have the opportunity to interact. This is where the value of a community of practice comes into play.
“One of the things that the Center of Teaching and Learning has given us is a common language and a framework in which to interact with each other,” McCoy said.
Assistant Professor of Psychology Whitney Burke emphasized the importance of creating a culture of sharing and continued learning.
“It seems like all our guards have been let down because we have a collective understanding and network of sharing ideas and recognizing our areas for growth,” Burke said.
Opportunities ahead
The impact of this work extends beyond Newman’s campus. Regan, Barbeau and national educational development leaders such as Tom Tobin and Claudia Cornejo Happel have begun collaborating on a proposal for a 3-hour workshop at the Professional and Organizational Development Network Conference in November. The proposal, “How to Design a High-Trust Peer Observation Program,” emphasizes trust as essential to shaping Newman’s inaugural teaching and learning community.
“Our Newman faculty care about their students and colleagues so much that they devote effort toward getting even better at what they do,” Regan added. “We want to keep celebrating them.”
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