Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment
Mission Statement: Foster excellence in teaching and support for faculty.
Vision Statement: The vision of the Casper College Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment is to empower faculty to create transformative learning experiences that prepare students to thrive in a complex and interconnected world. The center will aim to foster experiential teaching in an environment where faculty can achieve their full potential. This will be accomplished through:
Professional Development:
- Opportunities for faculty to increase their own pedagogical and scholarly knowledge to directly impact student engagement and learning;
- Opportunities during orientation, roundtable discussions, workshops, and faculty seminars, CTLA will offer faculty information, presentations, and resources to support and improve instructional skills and assessment of student learning;
- Research-based study that fosters academic engagement, learning, and success for all students;
- Support the development of experiential learning opportunities for students.
Comprehensive Mentoring:
- The CTLA will promote a culture of innovative teaching, active involvement, and scholarly pursuits by using a comprehensive approach to mentoring faculty, from faculty arrival and throughout their career at CC;
- Cohort luncheons, portfolio development workshops, roundtable discussions, and one- on-one consultations; CTLA will support faculty in an ongoing, flexible manner that is responsive to individual needs.
Community & Collaboration:
- CTLA values interdisciplinary collaboration among faculty and seeks to further the mission through a variety of events that foster communication and a sense of community;
- Monthly/semester faculty seminars and a yearly Faculty Appreciation Week, CTLA will provide institutional and informal opportunities for faculty to learn from one another.
Featured Upcoming Event
Connie Hamilton – Feb. 5 & 6, 2025
Lesson Planning for Higher Ed (Wednesday 3:15-4:30pm)
Explore what makes a lesson truly resonate with young adult learners in a community college setting. In this interactive workshop, discover key elements of effective lesson design—from clarifying objectives to sparking engagement and implementing reliable assessments. Walk away with practical strategies you can apply immediately, ensuring each class becomes a dynamic, student-centered experience tailored to higher education learners.
Kick the IDK Bucket (Thursday 8:00-8:50am)
Ever hear “I don’t know” one too many times in your students? In this interactive session, you’ll uncover what’s really behind that dreaded IDK. Learn simple, effective ways to move learners past this response—whether it signals genuine uncertainty or deeper barriers to understanding. We’ll explore approaches that respect adult learners’ experiences, foster accountability, and encourage them to take healthy academic risks. By the end, you’ll have concrete strategies to help students find their voice, tackle challenges with confidence, and engage more fully in your course. Perfect for instructors seeking practical pedagogical tools, regardless of prior formal training.
Foster Perseverance Through Growth Mindset (Thursday 11:00-11:50am)
Discover how to foster perseverance in your young adult learners by cultivating a growth mindset. In this session, designed for community college instructors, you’ll explore strategies to help students see challenges as opportunities and persist through setbacks. Learn practical approaches to shift thinking from fixed to growth-oriented, boosting motivation and resilience. Walk away with ready-to-use techniques that encourage students to keep pushing forward, both academically and personally, ultimately enhancing their chances for long-term success.
Three States of Mind – One Method for Handling Anxiety (Thursday 12:00-1:30pm)
Discover the essence of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) by exploring how emotional and rational states of mind can collide—and how to harness them wisely. Master the three states of mind—emotional, rational, and wise—to foster clearer communication and turn challenging interactions into productive conversations. Gain practical skills to de-escalate situations through validation—useful in classroom settings, professional discussions, and beyond. In this session, learn to navigate emotional dynamics and transform unproductive, emotionally charged conversations into effective communication.
*Session recordings may be available; sessions will not be live-streamed via Zoom.
Faculty,
Click on the link above to login with your Casper College login credentials and access a comprehensive video platform designed to enhance professional learning and support for educators from the Teaching Channel. Its vast library of over 2,000 exemplary videos offers valuable insights and best practices from classrooms nationwide. Videos are updated regularly. Content can be filtered at 9-12 level and by content areas, then adapted for your classroom usage. This channel was reviewed by CC faculty this summer and received favorable reviews.
Contact Information
Renee Griffith, Director, M.A. Ed.
Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment
Liesinger Hall, Room 198A
Phone: 307.268.2428
renee.griffith@caspercollege.
