Celebrate Learning
Page 3
Teaching Squares
by Dr. Allen Culpepper
Teaching Squares, a program in which professors in groups of four observe one another’s classes, reflect on
their observations, and then share the results in an informal social setting, has taken off at TCC. The observations
are non-evaluative, meaning that rather than assessing strengths and weaknesses of the observed participant,
the observer instead attempts to experience the class much as a student would and provide reflective feedback
from that perspective.
The program, which was created and developed by Ann Wesseley of St. Louis Community College, now operates at colleges across the nation. The TCC version started in the SEC Communications Division at TCC in fall
2011 with two squares. Original TCC participants included Cathy Campbell (Spanish), Mary Cantrell
(Composition and Creative Writing), Allen Culpepper (Composition, Creative Writing, and Literature), Kasty
France (Composition and Creative Writing), Vickie Robison (Reading), Kara-Ryan Johnson (Composition, Writing, Literature), and Jane Varmecky (Speech). (The eighth participant had to drop out but has returned to the
program this semester.)
This semester, the program has two new squares and is expanding to include representatives from other SEC
divisions and from Metro Campus. This semester’s square members are Jane Varmecky (also the facilitator for
her square), Randall Gibson (SEC Math and Science Division), Jeff Stuckey (SEC Communications Division), Chris
Myers-Baker (SEC Liberal Arts Division), Kathy Daily (SEC Communications Division), Pat Trusty (SEC Liberal Art
Division), Yolanda Williams (Metro Campus), and Erin Hart (Metro Campus). Vickie Robinson is also serving as a
facilitator, and Allen Culpepper (who introduced the program to TCC), is continuing to work on organization,
scheduling, distribution of materials, and promotion of the program. Associate Dean Olivia Martin-Phillips and
SEC Provost Brett Campbell have been very supportive of the program as well.
The hope is to double the number of participants for fall 2012.
Anyone desiring more information about the program may contact Allen Culpepper, [email protected].
Academic Technology Sub-Council Pursuing Planning
by Randy Dominguez
The Academic Technology Sub-Council (ATSC) is a recommending body that reports to the
Academic and IT Councils. The ATSC has met monthly during the spring semester and has
focused on updating a portion of the 2004 Technology Plan for TCC.
Currently, the ATSC has formed (4) separate committees to address 4 of 8 ‘issues’ from the original technology
plan. The committees are Accessibility to Learning Resources and Services; Training and Learning Support for
Students, Faculty, and Staff; Ongoing Acquisition, Deployment, and Support of Technical Resources; and An Innovation Process for Achieving Institutional Objectives. Committees are currently forming and may begin meeting during the summer months through fall semester.