Virtues and character strengths for sustainable faculty development

Abstract

For this special issue about teaching Positive Psychology, I show how the virtues and character strengths are at the heart of an interdisciplinary faculty development program. They can be pragmatic responses to the critical incidents encountered during a semester, and serve as stimuli for continuing reflection and sustained renewal. First, I synthesize research on faculty development, teacher behaviors, and re-define the virtues and character strengths to apply directly to learning and teaching. Second, I describe a four-module program with reflective exercises that can be delivered in face-to-face workshops, via guided self-instruction, and in online formats.

Keywords:

• virtues
• character strengths
• teaching
• faculty development