Teaching in Action: Open Classroom Series

Teaching in Action: Open Classroom Series

In the spirit of fostering a culture of open discussion and continual improvement of teaching, experienced teachers across campus invite you to observe them at work in their classrooms.

This year’s participants include one of the 2025 Grisham Master Teachers and graduates of the Maroon Academy for Teaching Excellence, having recently earned their certificates. Many of them will be showcasing best practices they learned or refined during the program, providing an inspiring opportunity to observe evidence-based teaching strategies in action.

Please use the sign-up form at the bottom of the page or you may complete the form by clicking this link: Open Classroom Series Sign-up Form

Spring 2026

Katie Doughty

  • Class Title and Number: EN 1113-01 English Composition II
  • Days, Time, and Location: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11-12:15 PM, in Allen 264
  • Open Classroom Dates: February 5th, 10th, 12th, 17th, 19th, and March 3rd. 
  • About the Class:  English Composition II is an introductory general education course emphasizing the expanded study of and practice in stylistics and critical thinking with focus on analysis, argument, and multi-modality through research. This course aims to incorporate strategies in inclusive teaching, scaffolding, active learning, and self-reflection to aid student motivation through the research project process.

Cody Fondren

  • Class Title and Number: FLG 1123 German II
  • Days, Time, and Location: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 10-10:50 AM in Swalm 205
  • Open Classroom Dates: Any day February 2nd-March 2nd, excluding February 5th, February 9th and February 10th.
  • About the Class:  German II enhances communication skills and cultural awareness with an emphasis on real-world applications. Observations will include lessons on recycling and childhood experiences, incorporating active learning, collaborative group work, and cultural discussions to engage students.

Amy Fountain

  • Class Title and Number: CO 1003-05 Fundamentals of Public Speaking
  • Days, Time, and Location: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 9-9:50 AM in McComas 211
  • Open Classroom Dates: February 2nd, 13th, 18th, 20th, 23rd, 27th, March 2nd and 4th.
  • About the Class:  Fundamentals of Public Speaking is an introductory general education course that uses a combination of lecture and active learning activities. Depending on the day, observations may include lectures, think-pair-share, group discussions, or games to illustrate and extend concepts. Most days, class will begin with brief student speeches.

Abigail Good

  • Class Title and Number: MA 1313-02 College Algebra
  • Days, Time, and Location: Mondays and Wednesdays 11-11:50 AM in Swalm 001
  • Open Classroom Dates: Any day February 2nd - March 4th.
  • About the Class: Review of fundamentals; linear and quadratic equations; inequalities; functions; simultaneous equations; topics in the theory of equations. 

AND

  • Class Title and Number: MA 1413-01 Structure of Real Numbers
  • Days, Time, and Location: Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays 10-10:50 AM in Allen 19 
  • Open Classroom Dates: February 2nd, 4th, and any day 13th – 27th. 
  • About the Class:  This mathematics course, specifically designed for Elementary and Special Education majors, incorporates active learning techniques like think-pair-share, group discussions, and educational activities to engage students in learning how to teach mathematics to young children through the development of the structure of the real number system. 

Morgan Green

  • Class Title and Number: ME 3523 Thermodynamics II 
  • Days, Time, and Location: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8-8:50 AM in Carpenter 301 
  • Open Classroom Dates: February 9th, 11th, 16th, 18th, 20th, 27th, & March 2nd. 
  • About the Class: This semester’s offering of Thermodynamics II is a large class with approximately 105 students. This course covers mixtures of ideal gases; irreversibility and availability; vapor power cycles; gas power cycles; refrigeration and heat pump cycles; flow through nozzles and turbine blades, and Psychrometry. 

Evan Kaplan

  • Class Title and Number: BIO 1134 Biology I
  • Days, Time, and Location: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30-1:45 PM in Harned 102
  • Open Classroom Dates: Any day 

    February 3-March 3, excluding February 10th  

AND

  • Class Title and Number: BIO 2103 Cell Biology
  • Days, Time, and Location: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 11-11:50 AM in Harned 102 
  • Open Classroom Dates: Any time 

    February 2rd-March 4th, excluding February 11th.

 

  • About the Classes: 

    BIO 1134 (Biology I) and BIO 2103 (Cell Biology) are foundational STEM courses that introduce key concepts in general biology and cell biology, respectively. BIO 1134 is designed for BIO and pre-health students with little prior background, covering a broad range of topics. BIO 2103, on the other hand, is intended for students who have already gained a basic understanding of cell biology through BIO 1134, and delves deeper into these concepts. Both courses follow a traditional lecture format but incorporate engaging and relatable teaching methods, including analogies and visual aids, to help students grasp complex material.

Aswathy Rai

  • Class Title and Number: BCH 4804 Molecular Biology Methods
  • Days, Time, and Location: Mondays 1:00-1:50 PM in Duff 1150.
  • Open Classroom Dates: Any Monday in February.
  • About the Class: Molecular Biology Methods is a comprehensive course that introduces students to modern techniques and methodologies fundamental to molecular biology research. Students will gain hands-on experience with essential laboratory procedures and emphasis is placed on understanding the principles behind these techniques, their applications in research and diagnostics, and troubleshooting common challenges. The course integrates experimental design and data interpretation and equips students with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge necessary for advanced study and professional work in molecular biology and related fields.

Holli Seitz

  • Class Title and Number: CO 3223-01 Communication & Media Research Methods
  • Days, Time, and Location: Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30-10:45 AM in McComas 230.
  • Open Classroom Dates: February 3rd, 5th, 10th, 12th, 26th, and March 3rd. 
  • About the Class: The course provides an introduction to both qualitative and quantitative research methods used to study media and communication. Students learn to design, plan, and execute research projects using various methods. 

Kim Smith

  • Class Title and Number: RDG 3413: Middle Level Literacy
  • Days, Time, and Location: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00-12:15 PM in MSU 206 at the Partner School.
  • Open Classroom Dates: February 3rd, 5th, 17th, and 26th.
  • About the Class: This Elementary Education literacy methods course includes an intensive field experience alongside class meetings. Literacy teaching and learning for upper elementary and middle school. Emphasis on literacy instruction, strategy instruction, and assessment at the middle grades. 

    Note - Visitors can park at the Partnership School but they will need to check in through the front office - they need to bring their MSU ID and drivers license. 

Sean Stokes

  • Class Title and Number: CH 4523 Organic Chemistry 2
  • Days, Time, and Location: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 9-9:50 AM and 10-10:50 AM in Hand Lab 1144 or Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30-10:45 AM in Hand Lab 1144. 
  • Open Classroom Dates: Any day February 16th-March 6th.
  • About the Class:  CH 4523 (Organic Chemistry 2) is an advanced undergraduate course that builds on foundational organic chemistry principles to explore more complex reactions, mechanisms, and synthetic strategies. The course emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving in organic synthesis, reaction mechanisms, and the interpretation of spectroscopic data. Observers in CH 4523 will witness active learning practices, such as the regular use of a document camera for in-class problem-solving, which promotes interactive discussions and collaborative learning. Additionally, scaffolded problem-solving techniques are employed that will guide students through a gradual progression from simpler to more complex problems related to organic synthesis and reaction mechanisms.

Bryan Whittenton

  • Class Title and Number: PSS/ABE 2543 Precision Agriculture I
  • Days, Time, and Location: Mondays and Wednesdays, 1-1:50 PM, in Ag. & Bio Engineering 141 
  • Open Classroom Dates: February 2nd, 4th, 9th, 11th, March 2nd, and 4th. 
  • About the Class:  This course is an exploration of technology-driven decision-making in agriculture through a blend of traditional lectures, case studies, and class discussions. 

 

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