What if the biggest barrier to innovation in our teaching isn’t time or training—but fear? And what if the antidote isn’t a full course redesign, but a single courageous step?

In this episode, we sit down with teaching fellow, serial risk-taker and unshakable optimist, Damien Hommel to unpack what it means to be brave in the classroom. From small nudges to bold experiments, Damien argues that finding the courage to change is both more necessary—and more doable—than we think. Besides, what’s the worst that could happen?

Guest Bio

Demian Hommel is an associate professor and teaching fellow at Oregon State University. The recipient of Top Hat’s Most Innovative Educator Award, Demian is an advocate for place-based and experiential education, service learning and evidence-based instruction. When he’s not engaging his students (and boy does he ever), Demian shares his insights on teaching and learning in Faculty Focus and Harvard Business Publishing Education. 

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