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First Fridays

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About

First Fridays are designated professional learning days for faculty, classified professionals, supervisors, and managers. These days are opportunities for the college to align professional learning opportunities with the mission, vision, strategic priorities, and needs of the campus and its constituencies. 

Schedule

September 4, 2026

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM 

  • Integrating Climate Justice Into Your Course on Zoom with Lisa Chaddock, Terri Hughes-Oelrich (Flex# 35221). This action-oriented workshop helps faculty integrate sustainability and climate justice into their courses while earning a Leaf or Two Leafs designation. Participants leave with practical examples, clear pathways for curriculum updates, and concrete ideas to embed climate-aligned learning outcomes and assignments.

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

  • Design Student Success Across Modalities: OER, Accessibility, Engagement, & Canvas Design on Zoom with Maria Jose Zeladon Perez, Louise Mann (Flex# 35513). Participants will explore a ZTC/OER course designed across 16-week face-to-face and accelerated 8-week online modalities. Participants will examine strategies for consistent Canvas navigation, accessibility, UDL, DEIAA, active learning, and RSI, supplemented by student research on how Canvas organization influences students’ study practices and learning experiences.

October 2, 2026

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM 

  • Moving Past Traditional Teaching Evaluations on in R-109 with Heather McGray, Lisa Will (Flex# 35542). This session explores equity-minded approaches to using student feedback and data to inform course decisions. Participants learn how to gather meaningful feedback, interpret disaggregated outcomes, and apply insights to make thoughtful, equity-focused adjustments to teaching and course design.

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM 

  • Taking Meeting Minutes Simplified on Zoom with Meaghan Baril (Flex# 35543). This workshop provides a simple introduction to taking clear, useful meeting minutes for college governance groups. Participants will learn what to capture, what to leave out, and how to organize notes so they accurately reflect the work of the group. The session will share practical tips and easy strategies for those who are new to taking minutes or lack confidence in the process. No prior experience is required. 

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM 

  • Finding and Using College Data Dashboards on Zoom with Susan Murray, Brittney Carroll (Flex# 35544). This workshop will introduce college employees to student success data dashboards and show them where to find and access the information they need. Participants will learn how to navigate Power BI dashboards that provide data at different levels, from broad college trends to more detailed information, including class-level data when appropriate access is granted. Faculty can use the data to better understand student outcomes and inform teaching, while student services areas can use it to identify trends, understand student needs, and strengthen support and outreach. The workshop will include practical examples of how employees can use dashboard data to inform their work and decision-making.

November 6, 2026

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM  

  • Community of Practice: Learn about Attributions in your OER Work on Zoom w/Melanie Nakaji (Flex# 35640). Participants will learn how to properly attribute others' OER/ZTC work. Participants will practice properly attributing others' work during the workshop
     

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

  • Accessibility Topic on Zoom (TBD) (Flex# )

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM 

  • You Belong Here: Creating Belonging, One Interaction at a Time in A-101 w/Marco Anzures and Sean Ryan (Flex# ). Through a hands-on simulation, participants will experience how everyday interactions can shape a student’s experience and sense of belonging. Following the game, participants will debrief their decisions and explore how different choices can influence the six Student Support (Re)defined Success Factors. Participants will then be introduced to results from the employee belonging survey, highlighting the specific behaviors employees identified as contributing to a “You Belong Here” experience. Together, participants will connect the game experience to these identified behaviors and consider how small, intentional interactions can create greater belonging for students.

December 4, 2026

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

  • OER and AI Intersection and Best Practices on Zoom w/Melanie Nakaji (Flex# 35641). Learn about the intersections between OER and AI, including uses of AI in OER creation, adoption, and adaptation. Discuss how to navigate bias and prejudice in AI. Have the opportunity to utilize an AI tool, such as Playlab Apps, Libretext Co-author, and Microsoft Copilot. Learn how to cite content created by AI and add a Creative Commons license.

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM 

  • Reaching Students Intentionally (RSI): Identifying Your Engagement Strategies in Canvas on Zoom w/Marco Anzures (Flex# 35592). Identify and understand what intentional, regular, and substantive interaction looks like in an asynchronous learning environment. Examine your current course to identify opportunities to strengthen instructor presence, support meaningful student connection, and promote active learning. Learn how to align your existing course practices with the SDCC RSI Rubric and identify practical adjustments that can help ensure your course meets regular and substantive interaction expectations.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

  • Student Care: De-escalation Techniques Training on Zoom w/Student Health Center (Flex# 35642). Join Diana Hernandez, Noel Puga, and Nadia Sayeh. Now more than ever, staff and faculty have expressed an interest in learning skills and acquiring tools for supporting distressed students. We will explore our campus climate, identify when students are distressed versus disruptive, and learn how to navigate and respond to challenging situations thoughtfully.

February 5

 

March 5

 

April 9

 

May 7