Let’s be real: teaching can feel like performance art. But what if your most powerful teaching tool is you—fully present, emotionally honest, and yes, a little messy?

In this episode, we talk with Liz Norell, author of The Present Professor, about what it really means to bring your whole self to the classroom—without oversharing, or overperforming. Authenticity, she reminds us, isn’t about disclosure—it’s about alignment. When your values shape how you relate to students, the classroom becomes something more than just content delivery. It becomes human. And maybe even joyful.

Guest Bio

Dr. Liz Norell teaches political science at Chattanooga State and leads with heart—as an author, educator, and advocate for authentic, relationship-rich teaching. With more than two decades of college-level experience—including political science, journalism, statistics, and writing—she now supports faculty through SoTL, assessment, and professional learning focused on disability and neurodivergence. Her research interests include public opinion and the Supreme Court. Liz is the author of The Present Professor and is passionate about helping mid-career educators reconnect with joy, purpose, and presence.

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