Jennifer Eidum leads resilience workshop for English teachers in the Czech Republic | Today at Elon

Jennifer Eidum, associate professor of English at Elon University, recently conducted an intensive professional development workshop titled “Resilient Teaching Practices for English Language Educators” for Masaryk University’s Department of English Language and Literature in the Faculty of Education. The workshop offered a transformative learning experience for both emerging and experienced educators.

Masaryk University, established in 1919 and named after Czechoslovakia’s first president Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, is the second-largest university in the Czech Republic. The institution is renowned for its research-driven approach and commitment to innovative teaching and learning across multiple disciplines.

Held on March 18-19, 2025, the two-day workshop brought together a diverse group of participants, including bachelor’s and master’s level students from Czechia, Spain and Ukraine, along with Masaryk University faculty. The workshop guided participants in understanding resilience and well-being, equipping them with analytical tools, self-reflective techniques, and practical skills designed to support the emotional and professional growth of students, teachers, and entire school communities.

“This workshop emerged from collaborations with faculty at Masaryk, especially the department head, Jiří Šalamoun,” said Eidum. “This workshop gave me a chance to share the resilient teaching practices I’ve developed through my research and teaching. The participants’ enthusiastic engagement and thoughtful insights not only enriched our collective understanding of the topic but also continue to inspire my work in this area.”

Workshop participants engaged in three comprehensive sessions that systematically unpacked resilience concepts, enabling them to develop adaptive teaching strategies that prioritize both educator and student well-being. A distinctive feature of the workshop was its culminating project, where participants designed resilience-focused lesson plans and classroom activities, ensuring that theoretical insights were immediately translated into practical, implementable educational strategies.

The international workshop represents Elon University’s ongoing commitment to innovative educational research and global academic collaboration, showcasing the institution’s leadership in preparing educators for the complex, dynamic environments of contemporary classrooms. Travel for this workshop was jointly funded by Elon College, the College of Arts and Science, and Masaryk University’s Faculty of Education.