Supporting Teaching Excellence Across the Region

University of Delaware hosts the Mid-Atlantic Teaching Faculty Alliance conference, drawing more than 100 participants across the region

At the University of Delaware’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), we don’t just prepare excellent teachers—we are excellent/world-class teachers. By modeling the high-quality instruction and dedication they teach their students, our faculty set the standard for what exceptional teaching looks like across all of our academic programs.

In keeping with this commitment to exceptional teaching, the college hosted the third annual conference for members of the Mid-Atlantic Teaching Faculty Alliance (MATFA) in June 2026, drawing faculty from Lehigh University, Rutgers University, Temple University, University of Pennsylvania and other universities across the region.

“We were proud to host this retreat at UD, which brought together instruction-focused faculty for an energizing, collaborative experience centered on teaching excellence, professional development and community,” said Teresa Hickok, assistant professor in CEHD’s School of Education, director of CEHD associate programs and an outreach coordinator at MAFTA with colleague Rosalyn Washington, assistant professor in CEHD’s Department of Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS).

The “Off the Tenure-Track Retreat” included a keynote presentation from Elizabeth Soslau, professor in the School of Education, lightning talks, workshops, roundtable discussions and opportunities for participants to interact with their colleagues.

In her presentation, titled “Off the Tenure Track: En Route to Joy,” Soslau explored how faculty can cultivate professional joy by aligning their work with their values, creating motivating work conditions and building meaningful connections with colleagues. Participants engaged in reflective activities to identify their own pathways to joy.

“For me, professional joy is the sustained sense of meaning, agency, and connection that makes me feel like I’m fully living my values and attending to what matters,” said Soslau in the opening of her address. “…when people can work with others toward something they believe matters, they will find joy.”

Faculty and staff from across UD’s colleges and units—including CEHD, the College of Arts and Sciences and the Center for the Teaching and Assessment of Learning, among others—shared their experiences and expertise in presentations and workshops. Themes included faculty leadership, promotion and professional growth; teaching and student success; practical applications of AI in higher education; and well-being as practice.

“It was powerful to host the retreat here at UD because we have so many continuing-track faculty working diligently in various roles and because the goals of the conference align with UD’s mission to cultivate learning, develop knowledge and foster the free exchange of ideas,” Washington said.

“Across campus, I see CEHD as an outstanding example of UD’s strong commitment to the university’s teaching mission. Our faculty are leaders in teaching innovation and student support,” said Martha Buell, vice provost for faculty affairs and professor in HDFS. “While many other institutions of higher ed do not offer the same level of professional development support to non-tenure track faculty, we do not differentiate support based on track. For instance, UD is committed to ensuring that our continuing track faculty have a clear pathway to promotion and leadership. It is through this commitment to our teaching faculty that we are able to truly excel at our teaching mission.”

About the Mid-Atlantic Teaching Faculty Alliance

MATFA is dedicated to supporting and advancing the work of non-tenure-track, teaching-focused faculty across the Northeast. The alliance aims to enhance the pedagogical skills, share best practices and foster professional growth for educators committed to impactful teaching. Through collaborative efforts and resource sharing, MATFA seeks to elevate the teaching experience and contribute to the academic success of our students.

To learn more about CEHD faculty who specialize in teacher learning, teacher education programs and professional development, visit its webpage. To learn more about how CEHD supports future teachers across programs and colleges at UD, visit the Center for Excellence and Equity in Teacher Preparation.

Header image caption: Professor Elizabeth Soslau gives a keynote address to 120 members of the Mid-Atlantic Teaching Faculty Alliance at its annual conference, hosted on UD’s STAR campus in June 2026.

Article by Jessica Henderson. Photos by Teresa Hickok.