I knew that joining the VIPEr cohort #1 would be beneficial, but I didn't realize just how much it would help me when COVID hit. As a VIPEr Fellow, we met up, taught classes, recorded lectures, and revisited them with accompanying data. Although it feels like a lifetime ago, many of the ideas and topics from cohort #1 are still on my mind as I head into the new semester.

It was reassuring to know that even colleagues with more experience were grappling with questions that I also had. It reminded me that the process of improving courses is ongoing. However, for me, these improvements were slow-moving.

During my time in cohort #1, I focused on being new and thought that I would be less susceptible to bad habits if I got on board with VIPEr ASAP. But I quickly became set in my ways after only teaching my Inorganic class twice. This became apparent during COVID, where improvements inspired by the VIPEr program were put on hold as I focused on adapting to classroom changes.

Nonetheless, the VIPEr content I became more comfortable with due to my time as a fellow was indispensable. Previously intimidated by the vast amount of resources and their depth, I avoided using them too often. But being able to toy with them or use parts was new and helpful when modeled for us in the program. This newfound comfort helped me accommodate my remote students better by changing my plans and utilizing VIPEr resources, even last minute.

The pandemic was unexpected, but I am grateful that I was better prepared to accommodate my remote students with the help of the VIPEr resources.

As the bigger questions and improvements hopefully return to the forefront this coming semester, I remind myself to make changes intentionally and avoid falling into old habits.