What do academic novels tell us about teaching? That it is invisible; that even though teaching is the most significant part of academic work, it is the least visible, the least discussed, the least shared experience. It is legitimate and professional to talk about scholarship and committee work, but teaching is not yet a respectable and respected topic of conversation. And before we can improve teaching, we first need to make teaching a fit subject of conversation.

So I welcome the advent of Exchanges and the opportunity to talk about teaching and learning. Every day I see CSU faculty who are transforming lives, who are educating students whose parents aren't attorneys and aren't bank vice presidents and whose only route to a better life is through a good education. I am eager to learn from these experienced and talented colleagues and am grateful to ITL for giving us a place to have exchanges.