SUNY Online Teaching Ambassador 2026: Hudson Valley – John Peabody

John Peabody has been an educator for over 20 years. He received his BA in English from Le Moyne College and his MA in American Literature from San Diego State University. He has held credentials to teach English in both California and New York State. He has taught English at the secondary, community college, and university levels in various parts of the country including Washington State, California, and the Capital Region. Currently, he is Assistant Professor of English at Hudson Valley Community College.

“I’ve been an avid proponent of online learning for much of my career as an educator. My strengths in the classroom are rooted in concise organization with clear expectations, which I believe are essential in online learning environments. What’s more, I strive to make my courses navigable and student-centered, inviting students to engage with the material with confidence and ease. I’ll guide them along, of course, but it’s up to them to walk the path.

A large part of my work in online education involves supporting faculty members. In my department, I regularly help colleagues adapt to new tools and platforms. I provide insights regarding content organization, data storage, and instructional design, helping faculty revise their courses in a way that will benefit student learning outcomes (as well as their own teaching workflows). As a peer mentor, I’ve helped colleagues across departments develop and modify their courses, troubleshoot LMS roadblocks, and find workable alternatives when a single tool falls short of their needs or expectations.

Currently, large-language models and AI have begun to play a significant role in how we educate our students. My approach has been to pair experimentation with accountability. I’ve been an active member of HVCC’s AI Community of Practice under SUNY’s IITG since its inception, and I continue to work alongside faculty and administrators to develop best practices and ethical use strategies across all disciplines. Meanwhile, in the classroom, I find ways for my students to engage with AI ethically, having them approach its use with both skepticism and curiosity. I believe all learning experiences should exist within such a dichotomy.

As online teaching continues to evolve, we as educators must do the same. I look forward to exploring and discussing these insights (and more) with my colleagues across the SUNY system.”