Teaching and Learning
Supporting excellence in teaching and learning at UW–Madison

Spring 2026 campus instructional guidance and resources

Posted on

This message was sent to all faculty, instructional academic staff and teaching assistants at the beginning of the spring 2026 semester. Additional groups that support instruction were also included for awareness.

Dear Instructional Colleagues,

Happy new year! As we approach the start of the spring semester, we’re writing to provide some broad instructional updates and resources, particularly for those of you who are planning to teach this spring.

Campus Updates

Digital Accessibility Rule, New Resources
Learn more about course material accessibility and how to update your content. A new University Digital Accessibility Hub is also available and is being regularly updated as more information and resources become available. Watch for more details and recommended next steps for instructors in the coming weeks as the university works to come into compliance with the new federal rule for the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Instructional Resource Highlights

  • Course Syllabi – Find recently updated syllabi resources to help guide syllabi development and updates.
  • Providing Flexibility to Students – Get help determining when and how to provide flexibility to students during times of disruption and how this differs from required accommodations.
  • Navigating Classroom Dynamics & Disruptions – Consult this guide to help anticipate and respond to a range of challenges that may arise in the classroom.
  • Working with TAs – Explore best practices, key considerations and practical resources to support work between instructors and TAs.
  • Guide for TAs – For both new and returning TAs, this guide covers useful trainings, professional development and more.

For a more comprehensive collection of pre-semester teaching resources and events from across campus, visit the Center for Teaching, Learning & Mentoring’s Pre-semester Teaching Toolkit.

Supporting Students

  • Student Wellbeing – There are many ways to support students’ well-being. If you become concerned about a student, first consider reaching out to them to discuss their needs and offer flexibility if the student is enrolled in your course. To make those conversations easier, consider attending a new training about supporting student mental health (see details below). You can also contact your department chair, supervisor or school/college academic dean’s office; the Office of Student Assistance and Support (OSAS); and/or refer the student to University Health Services (UHS).
  • New Training for Instructors, TAs – Supporting Student Mental Health – This half-day, in-person training equips instructors and TAs with the skills to identify signs and symptoms of potential mental health challenges, respond appropriately, and refer students to mental health professionals and other support services. Sign up for an upcoming course on Feb. 9 or Feb. 23. UHS also offers additional mental health training through its Recognize, Respond, Refer resources.
  • Disability Accommodations – Find resources for instructors from the McBurney Disability Resource Center. The McBurney Connect Instructor Portal includes a list of your ‘Student Accommodation Letters’ as well as a Limited Flexibility Plans Module to help you set reasonable parameters for flexibility accommodations. Post your syllabus to Canvas and enter textbooks in Faculty Center as early as possible to help students prepare for the semester.

Policy Reminders