The University of Alabama School of Social Work is proud to announce that Amy McLean, instructor and coordinator of teaching innovation, has been accepted into the Council of Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Teaching Academy, a national program focused on advancing excellence in social work education.
The yearlong initiative brings together a select group of educators from across the country to engage in virtual workshops centered on curriculum design, student engagement, instructional technology, inclusive pedagogy and best practices for both in-person and online teaching.
“Moving into social work education was really where I found my place in the profession,” McLean said. “I have been teaching for over 15 years, and each year I find it even more rewarding. Seeing students find their passion for social work and bring new perspectives to the work is always rewarding.”
In her role as coordinator of teaching innovation, McLean supports faculty development and fosters collaboration among colleagues. “Serving in the role of Coordinator of Teaching Innovation at UA has given me a new avenue to share my love of teaching by collaborating with other faculty members,” she said.
McLean believes creativity in teaching comes from adapting ideas to fit one’s own personality and style. “We may not always replicate what others are doing exactly, because each educator brings their own personality and style to the classroom,” she said. “But seeing how others teach gives us space to explore and reimagine how we engage students.”
“Sometimes our grand plans work, and sometimes they need a little more tweaking,” she said. “That’s what is so fun about teaching! Each semester brings a fresh group of students and a new day to perfect our grand plans.”
With her passion for teaching and commitment to innovation, McLean is eager to bring new ideas back to the classroom and continue inspiring the next generation of social workers.
Congratulations Amy!