coe-fac: FW: Invitation for Neurodivergent Instructor Affinity Group!

[Lisa Fortin]

Sent on behalf of Beth Harn


Dear UO colleagues,

We invite you to join any of the Spring meetings for the Neurodivergent Instructors Affinity Group! This recurring affinity-group discussion is a space for neurodivergent instructors (and those who hold identities within the umbrella of neurodivergence, like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, bipolar, etc.) to connect in ways that feel positive, and to share resources, strategies, questions, and scholarship around things that matter to you. Most meetings are over Zoom (with some opportunities for in-person in the future if folks are interested).

Keep reading to find out about the when, what, and how to join for Spring term meetings, as well as a general description of our discussions if you want to learn more before signing up.

Spring term meetings: when, what, and how to join

  *   Monday, April 24, 11-12 (Zoom): Being neurodivergent at UO and creating community that sustains
  *   Friday, May 12, 2-3 (Zoom): Dealing with multiple projects (teaching, research, service) when you are at capacity
  *   Monday, May 22, 11-12: Calibrating our energy—being in “flow” and preventing burnout
  *   Friday, June 16, 2-3: Thinking about how the policies and practices of our institution can create a more supportive climate

If you want to join us, you can either:

  *
Register in MyTracks<https://uomytrack.pageuppeople.com/learning/3611/timeslot/282991>, and once there, choose any of the dates you'd like to attend (you will be added to the Outlook calendar invite for those)
  *   Sign on to Zoom at this link<https://uoregon.zoom.us/j/7309486781> without going through MyTracks or being added to the invite

General description of our meetings:

  *   We strive to structure and facilitate discussions to honor a range of communication styles and needs (including large and small group, solo reflection time, and Teams for asynchronous engagement)
  *   Facilitators are three neurodivergent individuals (and we welcome adding to our group of collaborative facilitators–please let us know if you are interested in this level of participation!)
  *   Discussions are guided by participant interest--while topics are a starting point, we will go where the group wants to go. Discussions might have a focus on sharing experiences, on enacting change or problem-solving, on making community, etc.--these can shift depending on needs and interests of the group.

May your Spring term be off to a good start!

All our best,

Laurel, Alex and Spencer

PS: We know confidentiality matters: we’ll share some starter agreements that support it in Teams and when we meet again, and we hope you’ll add to them if confidentiality around this identity feels important for you and there’s anything you want to change or add.

​Alex Newson MS
(she,her,hers)
Doctoral Student | Special Education
OSEP CO-LEAD Leadership Grant
Department of Special Education and Clinical Sciences | University of Oregon
anewson at uoregon.edu<mailto:anewson at uoregon.edu>
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