Learning at Sinclair Community College isn’t designated for students only. Teachers are constantly progressing as well.
The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) was put in place to help faculty improve their methods with a mission to promote better teaching skills so the student and teacher can be provided with the best classroom experience possible, according to Dr. Katherine Rowell, director of the CTL.
Rowell said there are many types of groups like the CTL at universities, but not in community colleges. She acknowledges that Sinclair is a perfect place for such a program.
“With Sinclair being so diverse it makes it one of the toughest environments to teach in,” Rowell said. “In most universities a teacher is dealing with a particular age range or group of people, but since everything is so varied you have to affect your teaching styles more often.”
The CTL, founded in the fall of 2008, helps faculty create a community in which they can have a discussion about teaching and help each other become better teachers.
“Many classrooms have a closed door policy where what happens in the class stays there,” Rowell said. “But we want more of an open door policy where teachers can come and talk about their styles that work and those that don’t work. We all make mistakes and we give teachers a place to learn from them.”
One of the CTL’s major functions is the C.A.F.E (Cooperative for the Advancement of Faculty Excellence) located in Buildings 14 and 16. The C.A.F.E. is a center where faculty volunteers are available to provide support, answer questions and share their experiences with other faculty members.
Honors Program Director Derek Petrey has volunteered for the C.A.F.E and said it’s a great place for faculty to come learn and relax.
“Faculty can come get some refreshments and talk to other teachers about everything,” Petrey said. “We have resources that help faculty in engaging curriculum for students. It’s like a high school lounge for faculty that benefits teachers.”
The CTL has also helped faculty acquire more than $75,000 in learning grants, which help put new innovations inside the classroom.
Rowell said she wants people to know that Sinclair really cares about faculty and students.
“We truly care about learning at Sinclair to the point of where we give great resources for students and faculty,” she said. “Sinclair makes commitments for faculty and students to make a difference and that’s why I work here.”