René VelardeWrite to me

University teaching, Fall 2023

Teaching at APU

Theology in conversation with Christian life.

René Velarde in an office on his first day of teaching at Azusa Pacific University
First day of class at Azusa Pacific University, August 2023.

Ideas in conversation

In Fall 2023, I designed and taught THEO 200, Theology and Christian Life, a sixteen-week undergraduate course for 23 students at Azusa Pacific University. Students rated me 4.8 out of 5 as an excellent teacher (17 of 23 responded).

My responsibility

I developed curriculum and instructional materials and led twice-weekly in-person classes using lectures and group discussion.

  • Organize theological material across a semester of instruction.
  • Develop curriculum and materials for undergraduate learning.
  • Bring explanation and discussion together in twice-weekly classes.

What I bring to teaching

The course connected theological ideas with Christian life. It gave me a concrete setting for work I value: helping people engage difficult ideas, ask better questions, and learn in conversation with one another.

That same interest carries into adult learning and facilitation through New Again.

For a conversation about this work, write to me.