Camosun College is committed to teaching excellence. Through The Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) a range of teaching resources and learning opportunities are available to instructors to support their pursuit of excellence in teaching practice. This site includes some of the resources available to you. Check out our CETL website for information about other learning opportunities. If there's a resource you'd like to see, please contact CETL with your suggestion. We want to hear from you! CETL depends on the strength of our relationships across the college as we work together to support and enhance teaching and learning at Camosun. We welcome your feedback.
These Camosun employees worked hard and had fun too, as they stretched their teaching and facilitation skills. The ISW focuses on building a strong teaching foundation through creating a supportive, engaged, peer-based community. They won’t soon be forgetting the BOPPPS lesson planning model, or the importance of formative feedback! Read more about our Instructional Skills Workshops
May 2025 ISW Back row left to right: Jamie Johnson (Athletic and Exercise Therapy); Solomon Lindsay (Electronics); Amanda Paterson (Co-op and Career Services); Zahra Behfarshad (Computer Science); Patricia Larose (Centre for Excellence in Teaching & Learning, and ISW facilitator); Middle row left to right: Dustin Pendergast (Allied Health Technologies, and ISW facilitator); Heike Edam (Applied Business Technology); Christina Lafleur (Co-op and Career Services); Elizabeth Grayer (Architectural Trades); Anna Stein (Counselling, and ISW facilitator); Front row left to right: James Letkeman (Visual Arts); Asha Rungta (Early Learning and Care); Robin Fast (Community, Family and Child Studies, and ISW facilitator) ; Simon Cass (Kinesiology).
A wonderful celebration of teaching was held on May 2, 2025 when over 100 faculty, staff, leaders, families and students gathered to acknowledge the great work of Camosun educators. 40 teachers were honoured for their contribution to student success, and an additional 30 for their efforts in promoting open education and zero textbook costs for students. Those in attendance were moved at times to tears and at times to laughter hearing about the transformational impact one teacher can have on learning. There was a particularly heart-warming impromptu moment when a few students stood up to give flowers and say some words of admiration to their teacher. Congratulations to all, and a big thanks to the Camosun College Student Society for covering the cost of refreshments.
Teacher Recognition Award Recipients, 2025
Open Education & Zero Textbook Cost Recognition Award Recipients, 2025
Scan the QR Code for a full list of all recipients. 
A special moment for Angela Kemna (Faculty in Applied Business Technology) and everyone present, when some students surprised her with flowers and a speech.
A phenomenal time was had by all in June at the 2024 Great Teachers Seminar, held at the Honeymoon Bay Retreat Centre. This dedicated group of instructors was hard at work learning, playing, connecting, and reflecting. Here are just a few comments that we heard:
“The best thing about the retreat was: Meeting and working with, receiving validation from, and being inspired by colleagues… Seeing others discussing their passion for teaching builds confidence and resilience… Hearing from colleagues from outside my department on their expertise and solutions to common challenges... The co-created curriculum process ensured that we were discussing issues that we all found pertinent… I learned and grew as a teacher and person… Just the right amount of structure, humour, and knowledge to let the magic happen… The facilities exceeded expectations… The facilitators were intentional, thoughtful, well-organized, adaptable, creative and collaborative… It was a transformational seminar for me… Thank you to CCFA for funding this incredible opportunity. It’s such a privilege.”
Read more about the biennial Great Teachers Seminar
Standing from left to right: Martha McAlister*, Stephanie Kirkland-Kuisma, Susie Wieler, Dave Pritchard, Charlotte Sheldrake*, Blair Fisher, Melissa McLean, Sarah-Joy Kallos, Micaela Maftei*, Kristin Ross, Lynnea Jackson, Jennifer Phillips. Seated from left to right: Rhonda Hemstreet, Shea Page, Sian Prytherch, Dulcie Thomson *facilitators
A “sparkshop” is a short, active-learning workshop facilitated in a department meeting on a topic targeted to the needs and interests of the group, such as:
Contact cetl@camosun.ca to book your department sparkshop today!
Credit to Boise State University for the “sparkshop” name.
