Teaching and Learning Excellence
To create a student-ready college in which everyone can succeed, CLC is building an inclusive and flexible educational environment that meets students where they are. Faculty, like Casper, are pivotal players who work with each student in and out of the classroom. Their dedication to teaching and learning excellence to benefit students is a game changer. CLC is improving the ways students can accumulate credit hours and
“College of Lake County classrooms are filled with the best teaching faculty.”
progress toward a credential more quickly. Credit accumulation is an important momentum point that leads to graduation. The college’s
proven to help students learn more, stay engaged and graduate in
faculty play an important role in helping students succeed, one class at
higher numbers.
a time. Instructors celebrate coursework wins with students, motivating Faculty had such an unexpectedly overwhelming response when the ACUE
them to finish.
opportunity was first made available in 2019, the college started with “Grounded in equity-minded, reflective and data-informed practice, CLC
more than double the number planned. A third cohort will start in fall.
furthers teaching and learning excellence by empowering faculty in their important role in student success,” said Vice President of Educational
“It is clear the faculty at CLC have a passion for their students,” said
Affairs and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Sonya Williams. “The college is
Director of Academic Programs ACUE director of academic programs
doing this in many ways throughout faculty development. We’re offering
Carmen Macharaschwili. “I could tell by the energy of the faculty who
faculty courses about examining pedagogy through data and engaging
had committed to the course that they were there to learn how to help
in meaning professional development. By integrating academic supports
their students be successful and they were eager to learn how to do
with classroom learning and student feedback, CLC is working toward
so effectively.”
improving student credit accumulation.” This year-long curriculum for post-secondary educators focuses on
FOCUS ON FACULTY SUCCESS FROM HIRE TO RETIRE
F
aculty can have a fundamental impact on the lives of their
“Most students hate math because it can feel like it’s impossible to
students. Natalia Casper (pictured above) learned this lesson
succeed,” she said. “Instead of memorizing formulas, I teach them in a
firsthand when she took a calculus class at College of Lake
useful way that helps students escape from feeling lost. Students don’t
County many years ago. Casper was a quiet student who sat in
suddenly get better at math, but they become comfortable using it,
The college recently established CLC CARES guiding principles for teaching and learning excellence at the institution: CLC • Culturally relevant • Learner-centered • Collaborative
CARES • • • • •
Continuous Active Reflective Evidence-based Solution-focused
how pedagogy impacts student success. After earning their Certificate in Effective College Instruction, these faculty members across departments and disciplines will continue to transform student experiences in the classroom. “This class helped me remove quite a bit of barriers from the students I teach,” said Warren Thomas, an adjunct instructor and student success coordinator for adult education. “I learned how to use new techniques and hone a few I was already using to better connect with students, increasing dedication to their own education.”
These guiding principles build up core dimensions including integrating
This program is supported by CLC’s Teaching, Learning and Educational
diversity, equity and inclusion into classes, implementing learning-
Technology Center and contributes to the college’s goal to empower
centered teaching practices, committing to continuous improvement
faculty to intentionally design learning experiences for students that
and professional learning, designing measurable learning outcomes
engage and prepare them for their next opportunity.
the back of the classroom. Her instructor recognized Casper’s brilliance
giving them an empowering feeling of mastery. That’s when learning
and told her so. “The experience changed my life. One teacher made all
becomes fun.”
and standards for student success and engaging beyond the classroom. Faculty members who engage on all levels with this work achieve
“The college knows effective teaching practices make a difference for
It’s easy for an instructor to be one-dimensional, but it’s hard for students
teaching, learning, leadership and subject matter excellence.
student success,” said Page Wolf, CLC Faculty Development Chair.
the difference by giving me confidence. After that, I became excited to pursue teaching at the college level.”
to learn that way. Pedagogical research shows students grasp new
“Faculty are experts in their disciplines but sometimes may not be
Since then, Casper works tirelessly trying to return the favor. She became
concepts better when the instructor goes beyond the basics of writing
Learning how to teach
a CLC math instructor 23 years ago. And like many higher education
on the board and teaching through one-way lectures. But becoming an
One opportunity CLC faculty are taking to strengthen their teaching
teachers, prior to coming to the college, she had no formal training to
excellent, multi-dimensional teacher doesn’t happen overnight. It takes
and learning excellence is by achieving a nationally recognized teaching
learn how to teach. She was a demonstrated expert in her academic field,
an entire career of continuous work and a rich environment full of faculty
credential through the Association of College and University Educators
but not yet trained on best teaching practices, often called pedagogy.
who care deeply about their students.
(ACUE). These course-takers have demonstrated their commitment
educated about certain approaches to teaching and the proven effect these approaches have on a student’s ability to succeed.” With a growing body of educational experts, CLC continues to motivate more students to keep moving forward with their goals.
to teaching excellence and to ensuring our students receive the best
Dedicated to student success, CLC teaching philosophy is rooted in proven teaching techniques to support student success. Through faculty
Casper says self-reflection drives faculty to refine their student-focused
education possible by completing ACUE’s rigorous course in Effective
mentoring and professional learning, Casper became an award-winning
learning methods. It’s not a linear checklist, but each faculty member is
Teaching Practices. This course requires them to implement evidence-
active and engaging educator her students really learn from.
on a journey to master high-impact practices going beyond learning in
based teaching practices in their classes. These teaching practices are
the classroom.
14 CLC CONNECTS
JUNE 2021 15
