TLC Newsletter

Open Calls and Initiatives

Teaching Triangles: A Peer Observation Program

 The Teaching Triangles program involves three faculty members in a triad who agree to visit each other’s classes over the semester and meet to discuss what they have learned about their own teaching from the observations. The process is non-evaluative, and the program is open to all WCU faculty, including adjuncts. Learn more about the program on our website or from our podcast, ODLI on Air. If you're interested, register online by Friday, January 30.

Spring Teaching Circle Opportunities: Semi-Structured Learning with Peers

A teaching circle is a group of faculty who collectively explore a teaching topic of interest and work together to create products reflecting their learning experience. They offer structure and accountability to help you improve your teaching practice. There are multiple teaching circle opportunities for the spring semester:

• Generative AI will focus on integrating (or not integrating) generative artificial intelligence into our instructional practices
• Active Reading and Social Annotation with Hypothesis will explore and implement Hypothesis, a social annotation tool, to design activities and/or assignments that deepen student engagement with course readings and foster collaborative learning.
• Creating Accessible Course Materials will investigate who benefits from digital accessibility and apply practical strategies for reviewing, remediating, and creating accessible documents, multimedia, and online content.
• Classroom Conversations will delve into how to structure, facilitate, and assess classroom conversations to spark student engagement.

To learn more about each circle and register to participate visit the TLC Professional Learning Communities webpage. Register by Friday, January 30.

Faculty Learning Communities

A Faculty Learning Community (FLC) provides faculty space to share ideas and strategies plus get support on a specified topic.  In the Spring semester there are three FLCs for faculty to join at any time: 

• Academic Freedom FLC serves as a support group and working group, as we share our experiences and concerns from inside and outside the classroom while developing concrete strategies and actions to take to better understand, nourish, and promote academic freedom within our university community.
• Alternative Grading FLC is a group that promotes and shares experiences and details of alternative grading possibilities such as mastery grading, specifications grading, standards-based grading, and ungrading.
• Teaching Diverse Communities FLC is designed specifically for instructors teaching courses that fulfill the Diverse Communities requirement. 

To learn more about each FLC and register to participate visit the TLC Professional Learning Communities webpage.

New Pilot Program: Class Consultations

A pilot program to empower faculty to enhance their teaching by requesting non-evaluative feedback on any instructional session, regardless of modality. Facilitated by the Teaching & Learning Center (TLC) staff, this voluntary program fosters reflective practice and continuous improvement. All feedback remains between the instructor and the TLC, ensuring a safe space for professional growth. Instructors requesting a class consultation commit 2 hours of their time to the process.

Process: Instructor requests a class consultation using the Qualtrics form. Instructor and consultant schedule necessary meetings and visits. Instructor meets with consultant for a pre-visit meeting. Class visit occurs. Instructor meets with consultant to debrief the class visit. In Spring 2026 this program is in a pilot phase where only tenured faculty may participate. Upon successful completion of the pilot, the intent is to open this program to all faculty. To learn more about the program and register for a consultation visit Class Consultations.

Apply for a CELT Grant

 The Committee for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) invites proposals for Professional Development Funding to support cutting edge projects to improve student learning. CELT seeks to promote a variety of pedagogical strategies that actively engage students in learning and that will result in improved student learning. Up to four projects will be selected for funds up to $2,000 per project. These funds are to encourage the implementation of new and innovative projects that would not be possible without this financial support. We are particularly looking for projects that demonstrate:

1. Significance – projects that address major challenges and/or have the potential for considerable impact on student learning; and
2. Reach – projects that have the potential to reach large audiences and across departments and disciplines.

Ready to apply? Submit an application before Friday, February 13, 2026. Have questions about your CELT proposal? Drop in during CELT Tank Zoom consultation hours:

Date: Monday, January 26, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: Zoom

Date: Wednesday, February 4, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Location: Zoom

CELT Spring Book Club

We invite you to join members of the Committee for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) for the 2026 spring book club where we will read and discuss Joy-Centered Pedagogy in Higher Education: Uplifting Teaching and Learning for All edited by Eileen Kogl Camfield. In a series of reflective essays and teaching stories, contributors explore how promoting joy shifts the learning focus from product to process and disrupts notions of rigor that suggest learning should hurt. Each chapter includes reflection questions to guide reader contemplation. Twice during the semester, we will meet to discuss the reading. There will be a virtual option and an in-person meeting option each time. Attend the option that works best for your schedule.  

Register online to indicate your preference for a physical book or an electronic copy and when you plan to attend discussion by Friday, January 30. Check the TLC website for more details.

Last Call - Spring 2026 Student-Faculty Teaching Collaborations Program

Are you interested in getting student feedback and perspectives on your teaching practices? Do you want to boost your teaching confidence or reignite your passion for teaching? If so, consider participating in the Student-Faculty Teaching Collaborations Program during the Spring 2026 semester! This program pairs you with two WCU students who will provide frequent and varied feedback on one of your courses from their perspective.

To learn more, visit our website, or review program information on our blog. Past participants may sign-up again. To apply, review the Student-Faculty Teaching Collaborations Call for Applications. 

Call for Applications for TLC Faculty Associate, AY26-29

The Teaching and Learning Center is seeking applications for a Faculty Associate.

• Three-year term, July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2029
• 3 credit AWA per semester, while contributing 5-7 hours of work per week
• Apply by February 27, 2026 to tlc@wcupa.edu
• Submit statement of interest with CV no longer than 2 pages outlining relevant experience.

Please see full description and instructions. 

Spring Micro Courses Provided by PASSHE and ACUE

For a second year, Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education and the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) have partnered to provide access to the nationally recognized Certificate in Effective Online Teaching Practices (EOTP).  These evidence-based practices have been shown to increase student retention, strengthen belonging and achievement, close equity gaps.  PASSHE will have several Spring ACUE micro course offerings.

The EOTP pathway provides WCU faculty with an alternative option for DE certification or recertification. For DE certification, faculty must complete courses in the series along with the capstone module in the OFD program. For DE recertification, completion of courses in the series is sufficient. 

If you have any questions, please contact Amy Osborne at aosborne@passhe.edu.

Upcoming Events

Applying the Quality Matters Rubric (APPQMR) Workshop

The Applying the Quality Matters Rubric (APPQMR) workshop is facilitated by TLC staff and introduces you to the principles of the Quality Matters (QM) program. You learn how to draft a QM recommendation and practice applying the QM rubric to an actual course. Completing the full day workshop is a requirement for participating in the Quality Matters Initiative and it renews your WCU CAPC Distance Education statement.

Date: Wednesday, December 17, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Anderson 125

The training will be  in person; participants must attend the whole day. Lunch will be served. Complete the APPQMR Interest Form, and a member of the TLC will be in contact a few weeks prior to the workshop with official registration information. Space is limited.

Alternative Grading System - Spring Preparation Work Session

Are you implementing an alternative grading system like mastery grading, specifications grading, standards-based grading, or ungrading for the spring semester? Would you like to create, refine, or modify your alternative grading structure in the company of other faculty who are doing the same? Join the Alternative Grading Faculty Learning Community for a work session to prepare your alternative grading system for the spring semester.

Date: Friday, January 9, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Anderson 125

Folks will be on hand with ideas, strategies and support. Lunch is included and registration is required.

Faculty Fusion 2026: Register to Attend!

 Looking to shake off the holiday haze and energize your teaching for the new semester? Join us for Faculty Fusion: Hot Topics with the TLC.  

Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Location: WCU Foundation (202 Carter Drive, West Chester, PA)

This in-person event features three dynamic panel sessions led by WCU faculty experts, each designed to spark ideas and foster collaboration:

• Teaching Speaking Emphasis Courses – Discover strategies to integrate oral assignments and foster group communication in an AI-driven world.
• Emphasizing Course Relevance – Learn how to connect your course content to students’ goals and experiences to boost motivation.
• Faculty Care – Explore practical ways to balance your professional responsibilities with personal well-being.

Each session includes presentations, Q&A, and peer table conversations. Plus, enjoy lunch and networking, and a special Teaching Excellence Interview with Angela Guerriero. Whether you're refining your syllabus or seeking fresh inspiration, Faculty Fusion is your space to connect, reflect, and recharge. Register now!

Faculty Mentoring Program Promotion Panel

Thinking about going up for promotion? In the process and still have questions? Please join us for the Faculty Mentoring Committee's Promotion Panel.

Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026, 12:30 PM 
Location: Zoom

All faculty are welcome! Register here.

University Writing Council

What if You Could Grade Writing Differently in 2026?

When designing writing assignments and assessment tools like grading rubrics, faculty often tend to evaluate writing as a final product. This product typically refers to the submitted paper, and almost all points for the assignment are based on the assessment of this submission. But there is a lot of visible and invisible work behind that product faculty grade… Since writing is a process that involves planning, research, drafting, revising, and copyediting, another approach to assessing writing assignments is to evaluate student work throughout this process in addition to (or instead of) focusing solely on the final product. If you’re interested in exploring strategies for grading the writing process, RSVP for a University Writing Council Workshop to be held in-person.

Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 10:00 - 11:00 AM 
Location: WCU Foundation (202 Carter Drive, West Chester, PA)

This workshop will take place prior to the TLC’s Faculty Fusion event, which we encourage participants to attend.

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The Teaching and Learning Center is far more than just a newsletter! Our website hosts a variety of teaching resources and our full Event Calendar. To get in touch, feel free to send us an email, or schedule a consultation to speak live with one of our designers.