Salsbury to lead chair Teaching and Learning Department

When Tom Salsbury talks about teaching, he doesn't start with classrooms or textbooks.

He starts with travel.

"My pathway into teaching was through travel," Salsbury said. "I loved being in the unknown, testing myself, and connecting with people in new places. Teaching gave me the chance to do that."

That spirit of exploration has shaped his career, from teaching English in Taiwan and Spain to serving as a faculty member and department leader in Mexico. It has also carried into his nearly 20 years at Washington State University, where this summer he began serving as chair of the Department of Teaching and Learning in the College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences.

Former chair Tariq Akmal said the department is in good hands.

"Tom has always been a great faculty colleague who cares deeply about student and faculty success," Akmal said. "He's highly engaged and very knowledgeable about our department and the system processes he will need to facilitate."

Building connections

Since stepping into the role in May, Salsbury has focused on listening and learning. With more than 40 faculty and staff spread across campuses and in schools across the state, he has spent the summer meeting colleagues, reviewing their work, and getting a closer look at the student services and field placements that shape teacher preparation.

"It was eye-opening," he said. "I knew parts of the system as a faculty member, but seeing the whole picture gave me a deeper appreciation for just how much our department does to prepare future teachers."

Akmal said Salsbury's approach is one of his strengths. "He works really well with everyone," he said. "Tom is a great problem-solver who always brings his ethic of care to dealing with issues or concerns."

Priorities with purpose

Salsbury is clear that his priorities align with both the college and university. Among them: strengthening technology integration, expanding community engagement, and making decisions transparently.

"If I make a decision, I want people to understand the 'why,'" he said. "That means connecting our department's goals to the broader goals of the college and the university, and being upfront about what that looks like in practice."

Teaching at the center

At the heart of his vision is a simple but powerful belief: good teaching is about relationships.

"Students can tell when you're invested in them," Salsbury said. "If you create a space where they feel safe to explore, take risks, and connect, that's when real learning happens."

For Salsbury, leading one of the state's largest teacher preparation programs is both a responsibility and a privilege.

"I trust the people I work with," he said. "This department is full of faculty and staff who care deeply about students and about teaching. That's what makes this work meaningful."