On November 19, 2025, more than 40 members of the UBC community gathered in the Hydro Theatre of the CIRS Building on UBC Vancouver campus to celebrate the launch of the refreshed Wellbeing in the Classroom Toolkit. Faculty, Teaching Assistants, students, and staff from across UBC, including the Teaching and Wellbeing Community of Practice, the Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology, Health Equity, Promotion and Education team, Sustainability Hub, Human Resources, Academic Integrity Hub, and the Office of Wellbeing Strategy came together to mark this milestone. The event highlighted the collaborative work that shaped the new toolkit and its role in supporting wellbeing-focused learning environments across campus.
The launch event was facilitated by Sahar Allen, Wellbeing in Learning Environments Project Coordinator, at the Office of Wellbeing Strategy, and guest speaker Dr. Gail Hammond introduced the Teaching and Wellbeing Community of Practice, sharing how the group supports and connect educators who are passionate about integrating wellbeing into teaching and learning environments. Attendees then participated in table discussions where they exchanged perspectives on wellbeing practices and identified opportunities for continued collaboration.
This event took place on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people. We respectfully acknowledge that conversations about wellbeing in educational spaces must consider how Indigenous Peoples have long upheld holistic approaches to wellness, and how ongoing commitments to equity, reconciliation, and culturally informed education remain essential.
Why Refresh the Toolkit?
The updated toolkit builds on Teaching Practices that Support Student Wellbeing, a resource first developed in 2017-18 through a Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund (TLEF) project led by Michael Lee, Professor of Teaching, Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy and Co-Chair of the Teaching and Wellbeing Community of Practice. In response to significant societal shifts in recent years, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the growth of AI, and changing global contexts, the Office of Wellbeing Strategy collaborated with faculty, staff, and students to reimagine the toolkit for today’s realities.
A key aim of this refresh was to include and amplify the perspectives of staff who work closely with instructors and students, an important gap in the original version.
A Collaborative Refresh Process
Over the past year, the refresh process engaged faculty, staff, and students through surveys, dialogue sessions, and a student-led applied research (SEEDs program) project. Across all groups, several recurring themes emerged, including the importance of empathetic teaching practices, flexibility, the need for clear communication, supportive resource referrals, and attention to both student and instructor wellbeing. Participants also expressed a need for accessibility, contextual relevance, and a resource that inspires rather than overwhelms–guiding principles that shaped the final toolkit.
What’s New in the Toolkit?
The new Wellbeing in the Classroom Toolkit now exists primarily as a website, allowing for ongoing updates, easy navigation, and broader accessibility. It is organized into four adaptable themes that invite instructors to choose strategies that best fit their teaching context:
- Taking Care of Your Wellbeing
- Building Inclusive Learning Communities
- Designing Courses that Promote Wellbeing
- Supporting Students Holistically
Next Steps & Ways to Get Involved
The launch celebrated not only a refreshed resource but also the collective efforts of students, staff, and faculty who are working to create learning environments where both instructors and students can thrive.
Looking ahead, priorities include expanding UBCO-specific resources, deepening campus engagement, and featuring “wellbeing champion” profiles that highlight how faculty are putting these strategies into practice.
The UBC community is invited to stay engaged, share feedback, and continue contributing to a culture of wellbeing in their teaching and professional practice.
Explore the Wellbeing in the Classroom Toolkit
Have questions? Connect with us or the Teaching and Wellbeing Community of Practice at ubc.wellbeing@ubc.ca.
