Call for Proposals is Open

Magna Publications invites proposals for 20- and 60-minute concurrent sessions and poster presentations for the 2026 Teaching Professor Conference, June 5–7 in St. Louis, Missouri.

The Teaching Professor Conference provides a thought-provoking and stimulating forum for educators of all disciplines and experience levels to share practical ideas and best practices that advance college teaching and learning. Whether you are a new or returning presenter, we encourage you to seriously consider this opportunity to share your expertise at a conference of your peers.

Selected presenters are responsible for their own conference registration, lodging, travel arrangements, and duplication of session handouts. Selected presenters receive the $799 lowest rate regardless of deadline.

Deadline for Submissions

December 12, 2025

Confirmation of accepted proposals will be sent by February 13, 2026.

Conference Tracks

Preparing Your Course and Curriculum

These sessions promote innovative course design strategies, curriculum development, and ways to align learning outcomes with evolving academic standards.
Sessions in this track cover topics such as:

Learner-centered course design

Backward design

Designing courses for critical thinking, reflection, collaboration, and motivation

Active learning

Writing and aligning goals, objectives, and learning outcomes

Gamification

Using artificial intelligence (AI) as a course preparation tool

Educational Technology & Artificial Intelligence

Sessions in this track focus on the latest educational technologies, digital tools, and platforms that enhance learning experiences and foster student engagement, including artificial intelligence (AI) tools.
Sessions in this track cover topics such as:

Pedagogical research that supports technology tools and technology integration

Generative AI in writing, discussion, and grading

Accessible and adaptive technology

An example of technology tools used in class for professional or personal development 

The Online Classroom

These sessions are for educators who seek to optimize their online courses, improve student engagement, and ensure quality teaching practices in the digital environment.
Sessions in this track cover topics such as:

Maximizing your learning management system (LMS) features and settings

Course structure, file naming, organization

Creating and uploading resources including video, graphics, and documents

Humanizing/personalizing your course

Flipped classroom tips and ideas

Online course design best practices

Student Engagement

These sessions address one or all of the dimensions of student engagement including behavioral, emotional, or cognitive.
Sessions in this track cover topics such as:

Instructional strategies promoting engagement

Practices supporting engaging classroom climate

Promoting broadly engaged participation and discussion

Classroom-based engagement activities

Assessment & Feedback for Learning

These sessions focus on assignments, assessments, and grading practices, including strategies that measure students’ accomplishment of course objectives and learning outcomes.
Sessions in this track cover topics such as:

Tests and assignments

Grading systems and criteria

Self-assessment and peer-assessment 

Rubrics and feedback

Using AI in assignments, assessments, feedback, and grading 

Inclusive Teaching 

This track focuses on strategies to create inclusive classrooms that address diversity, equity, belonging, and social justice, ensuring all students feel valued, seen, and supported.
Sessions in this track cover topics such as:

Creating inclusive learning climates

Universal design for learning (UDL)

Addressing implicit bias in the classroom

Promoting belonging and social justice

Equity-minded practices

Supporting underrepresented and marginalized students

Building DEI competencies

Student Success Beyond the Classroom 

Sessions in this track focus on real-world skills and experiential learning within higher ed curricula. Explore how to create meaningful connections between academic content and practical skills that students need to succeed in their careers and lives beyond graduation.
Sessions in this track cover topics such as:

Career readiness and internships

Building resilience and mental health awareness

Faculty advising and mentoring

Grant writing and fundraising

Service learning and community engagement

Global, ethical, civic engagement

Academic integrity and professional ethics in real-world application

Developing emotional intelligence (EI)

Faculty Success & Career Development

This track is designed to support faculty at different stages of their academic careers, whether they are just starting out or are experienced professionals looking to revitalize their work and prepare for new challenges. Ultimately, focusing on key aspects of faculty development, and providing insights on professional development, leadership skills, and navigating academic career paths.
Sessions in this track cover topics such as:

Classroom Management

Building effective mentoring relationships

Balancing teaching, citizenship, research, and scholarship

Revitalizing your teaching

Preparing for leadership and administration

Professional networking and collaboration

Maintaining work-life balance and renewal

Rubric for Proposals

All submissions go through a blind, peer-review process by our advisory board. Members use the following rubrics to evaluate proposals. Because this is a blind review process, anonymity must be maintained in the proposal or it will be automatically excluded. (Please do not include your name or institution within the session information.)

Rubric for 20-Minute and 60-Minute Sessions

Relevance
Addresses ideas, topics, or practices that are highly relevant and significant to teaching and learning at the university level.

Poor

1

Moderate

2 – 3

Excellent

4 – 5

Evidence
Cites previous scholarly work and integrates theory and/or quantitative or qualitative assessment data. The presentation does not rest on the presenter’s experience.

Poor

1

Moderate

2 – 3

Excellent

4 – 5

Action
Offers content applicable to a variety of disciplines and campus sizes by sharing innovative and creative thinking. Proposal covers new ground or is a significant advancement or application of well-documented practice.

Poor

1

Moderate

2 – 3

Excellent

4 – 5

Appropriate
The session proposal is likely to accomplish the stated outcomes. It is appropriate for the track selected by the presenter.

Poor

1

Moderate

2 – 3

Excellent

4 – 5

Presentation
The session is engaging and interactive. It includes the thoughtful use of active learning and engagement activities synergistic with the proposed content and session goals.

Poor

1

Moderate

2 – 3

Excellent

4 – 5

Rubric for 90-Minute Poster Session

Appropriate
Is the topic appropriate for this conference?

Poor

1

Moderate

2 – 3

Excellent

4 – 5

Audience
Is the topic relevant to a broad range of disciplines, students and/or institutional settings?

Poor

1

Moderate

2 – 3

Excellent

4 – 5

Overall Proposal Quality
Writing, organization, originality.

Poor

1

Moderate

2 – 3

Excellent

4 – 5