MCC Daily Tribune
TCC: Welcome to the Spring 2026 Semester!
Teaching and Creativity Center Welcome Message
The Teaching and Creativity Center (TCC) is delighted to welcome you to Spring 2026. It is hard to believe how quickly the semester has begun, and I am grateful to be starting another term of shared teaching, learning, and reflection with you.
I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to everyone who attended the Winter Teaching Institute. Additionally, I offer heartfelt congratulations to Erin Strobl and our Winter Teaching Institute Planning Committee for her outstanding leadership and dedication in planning this year’s Institute.
Due to inclement weather, we were unfortunately cancelled the Adjunct Spring Kickoff. We are actively working to reschedule this event and will share updated dates as soon as they are confirmed.
As we begin the spring semester, I am pleased to share upcoming programs and resources offered by the Teaching and Creativity Center. Please feel free to reach out at any time if you have questions, ideas, or suggestions. I wish you a restorative, productive, and meaningful Spring 2026 semester.
Our Mission
The Teaching and Creativity Center’s mission is to advance equitable outcomes for a diverse student body by strengthening teaching effectiveness, inspiring innovation, and improving student learning. We foster a supportive environment in which faculty and staff can continually refine their teaching practices across all stages of their careers. The TCC promotes the scholarship of teaching and learning, encourages reflective dialogue, applies current research to practice, and intentionally connects teaching and learning to institutional initiatives.
Adjunct Faculty Professional Development Programs
- Monday, February 23, 2026
- Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Please stay tuned for an updated date for the rescheduled Spring Adjunct Kickoff.
TCC Conversation Series
(All sessions are held at noon, both in the TCC Room and via Zoom.)
- Monday, February 23, 2026
- Tuesday, March 24, 2026
- Wednesday, April 22, 2026
For questions related to the TCC Conversation Series, please contact Amy Burtner.
Spring 2026 Book Groups
- High on the Hog Book Group
Facilitator: Afiya Farrell - The Opposite of Cheating Book Group
Facilitator: Virtual Campus - The Impact of a Sense of Belonging in the College Book Group
Facilitator: Amanda Colosimo
If you are interested in joining a book group, please complete the Spring 2026 Book Group Participation Form or contact (Melis Kural (mkural@monroecc.ed).
TCC Brown Bag Series
Scholars’ Day Information Session
- Date: February 11, 2026
- Time: 12:00PM to 12:50 PM
- Location: TCC Room (Building 12‑201) & Zoom
Civic Discourse – Joe Scanlon
- Date: March 11, 2026
- Time: 3:30PM to 4:30 PM
- Location: TCC Room (12‑201) & Zoom
Building Student Confidence and Resilience in STEM
- Date: March 13, 2026
- Time: 12:00PM to 1:00 PM
- Location: TCC Room (12‑201) & Zoom
Late Start Courses – Amanda Colosimo
- Date: April 9, 2026
- Time: 3:30PM to 4:30 PM
- Location: TCC Room (12‑201) & Zoom
Gamification and Student Learning – Charles Wuertzer
- Date: May 6, 2026
- Time: 12:00PM to 1:00 PM
- Location: TCC Room (12‑201) & Zoom
Zoom links will be shared as each event approaches.
Spring 2026 Workshops
UDL Technology Resources
- Date: February 5, 2026
- Time: 3:30PM to 4:30 PM
- Location: Building 3‑122 & Zoom
- Presenters: Abby Bechtel & Melis Kural
Community Building
- Date: February 25, 2026
- Time: 12:00PM to 1:00 PM
- Location: TCC Room (12‑201) & Zoom
- Presenter: Melis Kural
UDL Checklist
- Date: March 5, 2026
- Time: 3:30PM to 4:30 PM
- Location: Building 3‑122 & Zoom
- Presenters: Abby Bechtel & Melis Kural
Reflections on Evidence‑Based Technology and Generative AI
- Date: March 18, 2026
- Time: 12:00PM to 1:00 PM
- Location: TCC Room (12‑201) & Zoom
- Presenters: Jean‑Paul Scott & Melis Kural
UDL: Small Changes, Big Impact
- Date: April 8, 2026
- Time: 3:30PM to 4:30 PM
- Location: Building 3‑122 & Zoom
- Presenters: Abby Bechtel & Melis Kural
AFDR Workshop
- Date: April 29, 2026
- Time: 3:30PM to 4:30 PM
- Location: TCC Room & Zoom
- Presenter: Bethany Gizzi
If you are interested in facilitating a workshop, please contact Melis Kural (mkural@monroecc.edu).
Open Classroom Week
- March 9–20, 2026
Faculty interested in opening their classroom are required to complete the volunteer form by February 13, 2026.
Teaching Consultations
Please stay tuned for an upcoming Tribune announcement with instructions for requesting a confidential teaching consultation with one of our trained consultants
Looking Ahead
Please save the date for the June Teaching & Learning Conference, scheduled for Friday, June 5, 2026. Additional information will be shared soon.
Closing
Most importantly, I wish you a wonderful spring semester. Please remember to take things one step at a time, remain grounded in your teaching and learning goals, and continue holding space for your students and yourselves to grow.
Melis Kural
Teaching & Creativity Center
01/21/2026