Welcome to FTCC’s August 2025 Professional development week
A week designed to help you maximize success at FTCC! This year’s focus is on equipping faculty and staff with knowledge and strategies of the essential tools and platforms that power our campus, including:
How to Plan Your Week
To make the most of Professional Development Week, follow these simple steps:
1. Choose Your Session(s)
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Monday
| Time | Event Name | Presenters | Length | Location | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:30 – 10:00 | Canvas Open Lab | Woody Roper | 1.5 hours | ATC 115 | Register |
| 10:30 – 12:00 | Canvas Resources /ADA Compliance | Woody Roper, Principal Learning Consultant, Instructure | 1.5 hours | ATC 115 | Register |
| Work Based Learning | Dr. Alecia Matthews | 1.5 hours | CAF 700 (Culinary Arts Dining Room) | Register | |
| 12:00 – 1:00 | Lunch | ||||
| 1:00 – 2:30 | Canvas Open Lab | Woody Roper, Principal Learning Consultant, Instructure | 1.5 hours | ATC 115 | Register |
|
Intelliboard Virtual (Deans and designees only) |
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| 3:00 – 4:30 | Canvas Gradebook | Woody Roper, Principal Learning Consultant, Instructure | 1.5 hours | ATC 115 | Register |
Tuesday
| Time | Event Name | Presenters | Length | Location | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:30 – 10:00 | Canvas Quizzes, Assignments, Due Dates, etc. | Woody Roper, Principal Learning Consultant, Instructure | 1.5 hours | ATC 115 | Register |
| 8:30 – 9:30 | TurnItIn |
1.5 hours | Virtual | Launch Zoom | |
| 10:30 – 12:00 | Canvas Gradebook | Woody Roper, Principal Learning Consultant, Instructure | 1.5 hours | ATC 115 | Register |
| SSE Early Alert System (All Faculty) | Cameron Harmon, Taylor Vann, Alysia DeJesus | 1.5 hours | CUH Auditorium | Register | |
| 12:00 – 1:00 | Lunch | ||||
| 1:00 – 2:30 | Canvas Resources /ADA Compliance | Woody Roper, Principal Learning Consultant, Instructure | 1.5 hours | ATC 115 | Register |
| 1:00 – 2:00 | TurnItIn | 1.5 hours | Virtual | Launch Zoom | |
| 3:00 – 4:30 | Canvas Quizzes, Assignments, Due Dates, etc. | Woody Roper, Principal Learning Consultant, Instructure | 1.5 hours | ATC 115 | Register |
| High-Quality Design Lab-Guided Course Prep | Colleen Galan, Angela Westmoreland | 1.5 hours | VCC 219 | Register | |
Wednesday
| Time | Event Name | Presenters | Length | Location | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:30 – 10:00 | Canvas Open Lab | Woody Roper,Principal Learning Consultant, Instructure | 1.5 hours | ATC 115 | Register |
| High-Quality Design Lab-Guided Course Prep | Colleen Galan, Angela Westmoreland | 1.5 hours | VCC 219 | Register | |
| 10:30 – 12:00 | Advanced Canvas Topics | Woody Roper, Principal Learning Consultant, Instructure | 1.5 hours | ATC 115 | Register |
| 12:00 – 1:00 | Lunch | ||||
| 1:00 – 2:30 | Canvas Open Lab | Woody Roper | 1.5 hours | ATC 115 | Register |
| SSE Early Alert System (All Faculty) | Cameron Harmon, Taylor Vann, Alysia DeJesus | 1.5 hours | CUH Auditorium | Register | |
| 3:00 – 4:30 | Canvas Open Lab | Woody Roper | 1.5 hours | ATC 115 | Register |
| Strength Training for the Mind & Brain | Jennifer Fisher, Brian Clark | 1.5 hours | LAF 101 | Register | |
Thursday
| Time | Event Name | Presenters | Length | Location | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:30 – 10:00 | Timely Withdraws | Ann Jones, Regina Mahoney, Jenna Smith | 1.5 hours | CUH Auditorium | Register |
| 10:30 – 12:00 | Mandatory Advising | Taylor Vann, Alysia DeJesus | 1.5 hours | CUH Auditorium | Register |
| The Buzz about Accessibility | Michelle Walden | 1.5 hours | VCC 219 | Register | |
| 12:00 – 1:00 | Lunch | ||||
| 1:00 – 3:00 | Green Zone Training | Justin Mattison, Robin Newman, Scot McCosh | 2 hours | CUH Auditorium | Register |
Friday
| Time | Event Name | Presenters | Length | Location | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:30 – 10:00 | Timely Withdraws | Ann Jones, Regina Mahoney, Jenna Smith | 1.5 hours | CUH Auditorium | Register |
| Strength Training for the Mind & Brain | Jennifer Fisher, Brian Clark | 1.5 hours | LAF 101 | Register | |
| 10:30 – 12:00 | Mandatory Advising | Taylor Vann, Alysia DeJesus | 1.5 hours | CUH Auditorium | Register |
| Disability Etiquette | Casey Groover, Shanna Bell | 1.5 hours | ATC 116 | Register | |
| 12:00 – 1:00 | Lunch | ||||
| 1:00 – 3:00 | Green Zone Training | Justin Mattison, Robin Newman, Scot McCosh | 2 hours | CUH Auditorium | Register |
2. Session Descriptions
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Canvas Open Lab
Woody Roper will be available on these dates and times to provide one-on-one individualized Canvas course support.
Canvas Resources/ ADA Compliance
Join Woody Roper as he presents functions available in Canvas, and course development best practices, to facilitate meeting ADA compliance regulations. This session will also address Canvas capabilities to increase student access and success.
Canvas Gradebook
Join Woody Roper for a general session on the basic and advanced features of the Canvas gradebook. Learn how to setup your gradebook to calculate weighted averages, send messages, and assign grades in the most efficient manner through the gradebook window. Also learn about the features of Speed Grader and other tools to efficiently review and grade submitted student work.
Canvas Advanced Topics
Do you have experience teaching with Canvas or do you just want to learn about more Advanced capabilities of the LMS? This session will provide instruction on the use of tools in Canvas beyond the basics.
Disability Etiquette
In this session, best practices in disability etiquette will be shared.
Canvas Quizzes/ Assignments/ Discussion Boards – navigating the creation and settings of these features
Join Woody Roper for a general session on the tools available in Canvas to assess student’s understanding and mastery of course materials. This session will examine the difference in the available tools, how to properly set due dates, how to navigate the settings menus for these tools, and the different options for submission and grading.
Failure as the Goal: Strength Training for
the Mind & Brain
Let’s talk about failure.
Not how to avoid it. Not how to fix it. But how to aim for it—on purpose. This session flips the script on what success in teaching and learning really looks like. What if your students’ struggles weren’t warning signs—but the goal? What if we stopped rescuing, and started spotting?
Join us for a surprising, movement-based session that connects brain science, classroom practice, and yes—even a little bit of sweat. Co-led by a faculty member and a campus fitness trainer, you’ll experience firsthand what failure feels like when it’s fueling growth.
🧠 Come ready to challenge your assumptions.
👟 Wear shoes you can move in.
💪 Leave stronger—in mind and muscle.
Green Zone –
Serving those who serve for you!
Green Zone training is for any / all faculty & staff who wish to learn more about the veteran and military connected student experience. The goals are to train members of the FTCC community to know more about the unique issues and concerns veteran and military connected students face and to identify resources available to best assist this population. Upon completion, participants will better understand the FTCC veteran and military connected students who make up nearly 1/3 of our student body, be able to listen with empathy and assist veteran and military connected students identify and connect with appropriate resources. Participants who complete the training will receive a placard to display in their office.
High-Quality Design Lab –
Guided Course Prep
Prepare your courses for the first day of class with personalized guidance on implementing the FTCC Canvas “Course Readiness Checklist”. This session will focus on, Course Navigation, Module Organization, and setting up your Course Entry Quiz.
New Mandatory Advising Model and Transition to Faculty Advisors
This presentation introduces FTCC’s new advising model, highlighting the transition and handoff of students from professional staff to faculty advisors. Faculty will gain insight into their role in supporting upperclassmen, with a focus on academic planning, mentorship, and career readiness. Attendees will also be invited to share feedback and ideas to help shape future training materials and resources. Join us to collaborate on building a stronger, more engaged advising experience for our students.
SSE – Student Success & Engagement Early Alert System
This presentation is a review of our FTCC Early Alert System. The Student Success and Engagement (SSE) platform is designed to support student success by identifying academic or behavioral concerns early in the semester. Faculty will learn how to use the system to flag at-risk students, enabling timely interventions and support. The session will cover the process, benefits, and best practices for effective communication and collaboration. Join us to explore how small actions can lead to big outcomes for student retention and achievement.
The Buzz about
Accessibility
In this session you will learn to describe the laws and regulations governing accessibility, identify the content that must be accessible for all students, and develop strategies for accessibility to ensure it is compliant with standards. Beyond the nuts-and-bolts of ADA compliance, Dean Walden will share some strategies for a humanistic approach to serving our students deserving of accommodations to be successful.
Turn It In
Stay tuned! Full session details, including the topic, date, time, and presenter information, will be available soon. Please check back regularly for updates.
Timely Withdrawals, Timely Success: The Critical Role You Play in Prompt Reporting
As instructors, you play a pivotal role not only in the academic success of your students but also in ensuring the integrity and accuracy of their records. One area where this responsibility is especially important—but often underestimated—is the timely reporting of student withdrawals. Whether a student stops attending, disengages, or formally requests to withdraw, how and when you report the change in enrollment has significant implications, especially if the student is a financial aid recipient. Let’s explore how a small action—taken at the right time—can make a huge impact in a student’s academic record and financial aid eligibility.
WBL
All faculty, chairs, and Deans whose divisions offer WBL as part of their programs are encouraged to attend this session. This will be an excellent opportunity to meet the new Work-Based Learning Coordinator Dr. Alecia Matthews. The Work-Based Learning processes and procedures have been updated, join Dr. Matthews to learn about the WBP updates and changes.




























