Teaching Circles Academy
The Teaching Circles Academy provides support and structure for faculty working together in small groups on a clearly defined project to improve teaching and learning. The TCAs have been created with two main goals in mind: to improve teaching and to build community among faculty. Teaching circles encourage faculty to ask courageous questions and then give them the resources they need to find answers that will positively impact student learning and success.
Participation
Participation in the TCA is open to any interested full-time or part-time faculty. There are TCAs held at each campus to encourage participation at all STC locations. Each circle has 5-10 faculty participants from a variety of disciplines. Each circle is guided by a faculty facilitator.
Academy Structure
Each circle is led by a faculty facilitator, who is responsible for organizing and focusing group activity, but participants themselves will decide the direction of the group and the method used to get there.
Participant:
- Attend all scheduled circle meetings and the Celebration
- Assist in developing academy’s goals and objectives
- Develop individual goals and objectives
- Prepare for each circle meeting by completing assigned materials
- Document at least one new or improved strategy that was implemented by the individual faculty member as part of the TCA discussion and research
- Participate in project assessment
- Meet twice individually with the facilitator
Time Commitment
Facilitators and participants must:
- Attend all scheduled TCA meetings (Each circle meets at least 10 hours)
- Attend the Teaching Circle Academy Celebration Luncheon
- Total Time Commitment is expected to be at least 20 hours of individual and group work