Episode 2 - Teaching Excellence, Personalizing the Classroom, and Building Rapport – A Conversation with Dr. Robyn Kondrad

Welcome back to the CFI Faculty Lounge Podcast, where we explore the experiences, challenges, and strategies of dedicated educators. In this episode, host Eric Magrum sits down with Dr. Robyn Kondrad, Associate Professor at JMU’s Department of Psychology, to discuss her journey in academia, her approach to excellence in teaching, and how she fosters strong connections with her students.In this episode, Dr. Kondrad shares:-Her journey as an educator, teaching on a ship, and how she arrived at JMU.-What excellence in teaching means to her.-The unique qualities she brings to her role.-How she integrates her personal life into her teaching using real-life experiences, including sharing photos of her own placenta!-The importance of professor-student rapport and how building strong relationships enhances learning.-Strategies for balancing faculty responsibilities with personal life.-Expert advice on managing and engaging large classes effectively.Dr. Kondrad’s approach to teaching highlights the power of authenticity, connection, and global perspectives in education. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on making learning engaging, personal, and impactful.__________________________________________CFI Faculty Lounge Podcast would love hearing from you! Do you have a question for our guests, a teaching tip to share, or a story about faculty life? Send us a message by clicking on this text. Your message might make it into a future episode.