Teachers take classes too

Linn-Benton new full-time faculty takes three day class

Linn-Benton new full-time faculty receive a unique welcome unlike other colleges. These instructors enter into a program called Instructional Strategies Institute that has been at LBCC for two decades.

“ISI is so comprehensive and extremely helpful,” said Raymund Ocampo music faculty.

Faculty who participate in ISI meet for three days before In-service begins and once per month during the academic year. They learn about the resources and teaching practices that will help them be effective instructors. Learning happens both through tours and presentations.

“I really look forward to having time to check in with my new friends and to talk about our experiences in the classroom,” said Joyce Thompson Graham, English for Speakers of Other Languages faculty. “It's a wonderful support system and one of the things that makes LBCC really special.”

During the three day class the instructors toured the campus. Some of the sites toured this year were the Diversity Achievement Center, the Learning Center, the Accessibility Services Offices, and the Counseling Center. Presenters came and shared presentations on topics such as Using Technology to Enhance your Teaching and Active Learning.

Part of ISI is training involves participation in group activities. New faculty took part in activities such as scavenger hunts, sentence fragments and block words. They also discussed first day “icebreakers” and by doing this it allowed ideas to be shared.

“Think together and work together and learn without realizing your learning,” said Will Fleming, writing faculty.

The closing of the first day of ISI, the student speakers shared what made a successful learning environment. Ocampo recanted what both speakers shared and the two things he took away from the speakers was: the belief that faculty had in them to succeed and the persistence of faculty to ensure success.

“There is a feel on campus that’s very exciting right now and I think this is an exciting time to be at LB,” said Ocampo.

The Instructional Strategies Institute is funded by The Office of Academic Affairs.

This year’s there are 11 new full-time faculty coming to LBCC to teach a variety of courses, such as physical science, welding technology, and writing.

“I'm so enjoying the ISI experience because I'm visiting places on the campus I haven't been before, and we are just starting to have some great conversations about our programs and our teaching,” said Thompson Graham.