Syllabus Samples & Resources

• Pokémon-Themed Syllabus -enjoy my nerdy, and helpful, syllabus for my intro to financial accounting class.

• Stranger Things Themed Syllabus -for intro to financial accounting, this one includes more of a focus on students participating in accounting exploration activities.

• Wicked-Themed Syllabus -enjoy my tribute to the Wicked franchise with this syllabus for my managerial accounting class.

• Barbie-Themed Syllabus -for my intro to financial accounting, perhaps my favorite of all my themed-syllabi.

• Severance-Themed Syllabus -for my intro to financial accounting, Spring 2026.

• Accessible Syllabus Template -this one is supplied to all faculty at my college and has successfully passed different accessibility checkers. Available for download in Microsoft Word format.

• University of Virginia Teaching Hub: Unconventional Syllabi Collection-get inspired by this collection of unconventional syllabi curated by the University of Virginia’s Teaching Hub.

Using AI

• Create a web-based app using ChatGPT and Netlify -Feel free to use and/or modify the prompt I used to help create my Debits and Credits app using Netlify.

• Using ChatGPT to create quizzes and import to Canvas -Instructions for using ChatGPT to create quizzes based on specific course material and import them into Canvas for student practice or assessment.

• Guide for Creating A Custom Chatbot -instructions borrowed from “Teaching Effectively with ChatGPT” by Dan Levy and Ángela Pérez Albertos. Just update for your class and specifications.

• Sample AI Policies -need help with your AI policy? Check out Lance Eaton’s collection of 200+ AI syllabus statements from faculty nationwide. Browse for ideas —or add your own!

Correspondence

• Early, Early Welcome Email -I send this to students as soon as they enroll in the class (sometimes months before the semester even starts).

• Welcome Email -warm message sent to students before the semester begins - offering key information and tips to help them start off strong.

• Early Intervention Email -message template for supporting students experiencing challenges in the course.

Projects (Financial Accounting)

• Accounting Cycle -students review the entire accounting cycle with this small business started by a family friend.

• Uncollectible Accounts & Ratios-students review the financials of a small business that is too accommodating with extending direct credit to its customers.

• Merchandise & Uncollectible Accounts-students view a small business struggling with rising inventory costs and a big box competitor moving in down the street (based on real events)

• Creative Project-allow your students to flex their creative muscles and show their understanding of accounting in the manner they choose. I’ve had such great submissions from prompt -including video podcasts, computer games, romantasy novels, comic books, board games, and more!

Projects (Managerial Accounting)

• Project I -CVP -students use cost-volume-profit analysis to help a local business determine the best use of available space while also considering important qualitative factors.

• Project II -Job Order -students help a business use job-order costing to accurately track the cost of creating custom-made Star-Trek themed cat scratching posts (based on real events).

Game Templates:

• Jeopardy Template -free template so you can create a jeopardy game for any topic you can think of.

• Who Wants to be a Millionaire Template -illustrated with Statement of Cash Flows topic.

• Family Feud Template -as a big fan of this game show, it is my favorite to do in class -I even bring two ‘call bells’ for the competing ‘families’.

• Escape Room Puzzle-students work together to solve for the correct answers based on the clues provided. This handout is based on a managerial accounting topic (absorption and variable costing methods). Slide and certificate available as well as the solution file.

• “Strands” Puzzle -borrowed from the New York Times Strands Puzzle (which has been described as a word search with a twist), this exercise helps students review key terms for the Plant Assets chapter. I normally have them work on this before we start on the chapter.

Other Instructor Resources

• “Send off” Speech -a meaningful way to close any academic term—these are the parting words that legendary Harvard professor Dan Levy shares with each of his classes, leaving a lasting impression.

Student Resources

• Resume Template -this is the résumé template recommended by the Kelley School of Business for its undergraduate business students.

• Study Tips -study strategies from the authors of Make It Stick, which debunks common but ineffective habits like rereading and cramming and highlights research-backed approaches that actually improve learning.

Substacks & Blogs:

• J.D Schramm’s Substack -author of “Communicate with Mastery”, posts frequently about how to communicate simply and effectively. Relevant tips for any professional looking to elevate their game.

• Duarte Blog -a woman-owned company focused on transformative communication through effective presentations & storytelling.

• James Lang’s Substack-explore the insights of a leading voice in student learning strategies for higher education

Podcasts:

• Teaching in Higher Ed Podcast -a thoughtful and practical podcast for educators in higher ed, featuring conversations on teaching, learning, and the meaningful use of technology —all with a focus on student success.

• Designed for Learning -featuring interviews with teachers, experts in teaching and learning in higher education, and authors of new books and resources

• 2Bobs Podcast -creative conversations on the art of entrepreneurship with David C. Baker and Blair Enns.

Online Publications:

• Faculty Focus Magazine-get practical, research-informed insights for college educators from college educators.

• Chronicle of Higher Education -the leading news source for colleges and universities, offering in-depth reporting, analysis, and commentary on academic life, policy, teaching, and leadership.

Books:

• Invisible Learningby David Franklin -an inspiring glimpse into the magic that unfolds in Professor Dan Levy’s legendary Harvard statistics course.
  Invisible Learning beautifully captures how great teaching transforms students—and I couldn’t put it down!

• Distractedby James M. Lang -a thoughtful exploration of attention in the classroom, Distracted offers practical, research-based strategies to
  help students—and educators—focus in a world full of interruptions.

Conferences:

• Teachers of Accounting at Two Year Colleges (TACTYC) Conference-this organization holds annual in-person and virtual conferences showcasing practical stratgies for teaching accounting classes.

• American Accounting Association (AAA) Conference -the Conference on Teaching and Learning in Accounting (CTLA) focuses on enhancing faculty skills and expanding resources to promote effective student learning.