Teaching Circles FAQ

Why did the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) develop teaching circles?  Century College recently experienced retirements of many long term faculty members, and at the same time, a large growth in enrollment.  Therefore, we have had a huge influx of new faculty.  Fifty-four percent of Century’s current full-time faculty have been hired since 2000.  There was a need to mentor and enculturate these new faculty members.  Traditional mentoring, with a hierarchical approach, did not meet the need since most new hires had teaching experience, and had much to share with more veteran faculty.  In addition, the merger of a liberal arts community college and a technical college into Century College resulted in the need to establish common ground for the entire faculty.

What is a teaching circle?  A teaching circle is a group of 6-9 faculty members who will work closely together for one semester to focus on an issue(s) related to improving teaching and learning.  The circle is interdepartmental in nature and is self-directed within the guidelines of the teaching circle program.  The atmosphere of the circle is intended to foster openness and trust in a risk free environment of mutual support and discovery. 

The teaching circle program was developed through the Center for Teaching and Learning with the belief that teachers can learn from each other.  The expected outcome of the teaching circle is that each member will implement at least one new or improved strategy in the classroom. A teaching circle is NOT just another committee. This is a faculty initiative with full support of administration. The goal of the teaching circle is to improve teaching and learning at Century, as well as promote community among faculty.  Facilitators work closely with the CTL leaders to ensure smooth functioning of the circles and attainment of circle goals.

Who may participate?  Any Century College faculty member, both full-time and part-time, is eligible to participate in a teaching circle.  All new faculty hired within the last two years are especially encouraged to join a circle, but the program is open to all faculty. 

What are the participants' responsibilities? Participating in a teaching circle provides an opportunity for professional development by engaging faculty in a series of small group discussions about teaching and learning.  Each group is led by a trained facilitator selected from our faculty.  The facilitator is responsible for organizing and focusing group activity, but circle members decide where they’re going and how to get there.  Each circle meets for a minimum of 10 hours during the semester.

Participants are granted a $500 stipend (approximately, based on credit equivalent calculations) by participating in and completing the following activities associated with their teaching circle. 

• Attend all scheduled circle meetings and the end of semester celebration unless a Request for Leave form is signed by your Dean.
• Assist in developing the circle’s goals and develop individual goals and objectives.
• Prepare for each circle by completing assigned material.
• Submit 3 monthly one-page reflection papers.
• Meet at least twice individually with the circle facilitator.
• Document at least one new or improved strategy that you’ve implemented in your teaching as a result of the teaching circle discussions.
• Participate in project assessments.

Time commitment varies, but it is expected each Teaching Circle participant will commit approximately 20 hours of individual and group work to improve teaching and learning at Century College. 

What are the results of teaching circles?  

The students of Century College are the real winners of the Teaching Circle initiative.  As faculty members hone their skills and bring improvements to classrooms, students have greater opportunity for success.  For example, faculty have expanded tutoring services, addressed various learning styles, developed better assessment of learning, implemented active learning techniques, introduced technology in the classroom, offered paired courses, and developed a “Strategies for College Success” course as a result of teaching circles. 

The faculty of Century College benefits from the collegiality of the circles.  It is an opportunity to learn and confirm!  Faculty members report that the circle gives them the structure, support, and incentive to try new approaches in their teaching.  Faculty also indicate that talking about what they’re doing in classrooms validates what they’ve been doing already.  At the same time, they get new ideas as they hear from others what works for them.

Century College gains from the teaching circles as faculty cross boundaries, develop community, and work toward common goals.  With focuses on developmental, transfer and technical education, it’s a benefit to the college when faculty learn about and support the efforts of their colleagues in other areas.  The “trickle” effect of circles may very well shape the way Century College does the work of teaching and learning long-term.