Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence

Transforming Educators into Changemakers

Nurturing-Resilience-and-Connection Keeping Hope Alive: Nurturing Resilience and Connection in Cynical Times
In this CTLE presentation, PCC faculty member Maria Sefchick shares actionable strategies to combat educator burnout, cynicism, and compassion fatigue. Discover how the "HOPE" framework—Heal, Open, Purpose, Engage—can help instructors set boundaries, reconnect with their teaching purpose, build classroom community, and foster active "hopeful skepticism" for long-term sustainability in higher education. Posted September 11, 2025
Collaborative Quizzes Collaborative quizzes as a learning tool that increases students’ sense of belonging
In this CTLE Teaching Week presentation, PCC biology instructor Ksenia Everton demonstrates how collaborative quizzing turns traditional testing into an active learning tool. Discover a structured three-step process combining individual quizzes, group discussion, and immediate feedback to boost student test scores, lower anxiety, strengthen critical thinking, and build a supportive classroom community. Posted September 11, 2025
Learning-Together Learning Together through Faculty Learning Community (FLCs): For Faculty, By Faculty
The Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence showcases 11 peer-led Faculty Learning Communities (FLCs). Designed for PCC instructors, these collaborative groups explore innovative strategies—including generative AI, equitable grading, accessibility, and community engagement—to enhance classroom practices, support student engagement, and foster ongoing professional growth. Posted September 11, 2025
Student-Accommodation-Updates. Student Accommodation Updates
Kaela Parks, Dean of Inclusive and Accessible Education, outlines PCC's accommodation framework, covering self-disclosure, faculty notification, and collaborative implementation. The presentation details campus resources—including Digital Navigators, Read&Write software, and LEAP—alongside guidance on communication access and instructor-defined Flex Plans to help faculty support students while maintaining course integrity. Posted September 11, 2025
Behavioral-Process. PCC’s Behavioral Clarification Process and how this Connects to the Freedom of Expression Policy
PCC’s Student Support and Intervention team outlines how to balance student free expression with classroom conduct standards. Faculty learn the four-step Behavioral Clarification framework to address disruptions directly, document expectations, and handle charged discussions. The session also details campus support resources like CARE referrals, Title IX, and public safety escalations. Posted September 11, 2025
Practical-Strategies-for-Multilingual-Students Practical Strategies for Teaching Multilingual Students in Your Classroom
Learn low-barrier, high-impact strategies from PCC instructors Tim Krause and Elizebett Eslinger to support multilingual students across all disciplines. Discover how multi-modal instructions, scaffolding, visual supports, and reducing jargon remove learning barriers, boost comprehension, and foster an inclusive, collaborative college classroom for all learners. Posted September 11, 2025
Strategies-to-replying-to-students “They Emailed What?”: Strategies to reply to students who share they are struggling
When students email about personal, academic, or financial distress, faculty must balance empathy with boundaries. Presenters Amanda Sanford and Gina Loschiavo share practical communication strategies, language techniques, and syllabus boundary-setting methods. Learn how PCC’s CARE referral process works, how Student Support and Intervention partners with instructors, and how to connect struggling students to vital campus resources. Posted September 11, 2025
Using-AI-to-enhance-teaching. AI for the Educators: Module 2: AI for Lesson Planning & Content Creation
In this workshop, Reza Rahman demonstrates how faculty can use Google Gemini to enhance lesson planning and content creation. Instructors learn to draft tailored learning objectives, refine content in the Canvas workspace, generate interactive quizzes, and design AI-resistant assignments. The session also covers building custom Gemini Gems to automate repetitive instructional tasks efficiently. Posted September 11, 2025
Student-Perspectives Student Perspectives on “What Works Well in Online Teaching”
PCC’s Online Learning Student Success Team and Student Ambassadors share key strategies for virtual student success. Learn how dedicated campus resources—such as success coaching and the Start Guide—combine with high-impact teaching practices like clear communication, timely feedback, active discussion presence, and accessible course design to drive online student engagement and retention. Posted September 11, 2025
Climate-Action-Plan Envisioning a Just Climate Future – Connecting Your Class with PCC’s 2026 Climate Action Plan
PCC faculty and sustainability leaders detail practical strategies for embedding climate justice into coursework ahead of the 2026 Climate Action Plan update. Learn about PCC’s progress toward carbon neutrality by 2040, available curriculum grants, campus datasets, and plug-and-play modules that use the college as a living lab to empower students through solutions-based learning. Posted September 11, 2025
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