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
December 2025 ISW
Back row L to R: Narges Naeimi (Co-op Education and Career Services); Jonah Ferguson (Co-op Education and Career Services); Derek Murray (Academic Success Centre, and ISW facilitator); Nadia Petrossi (Student Access Services); Amie McColl (Massage Therapy); Shanna Baslee (English Language Development); Natasha Parrish (Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning and ISW facilitator);
Front row L to R: Laura Hadwin (English Language Development, and ISW facilitator); Julie Ter Kuile (Nursing); Heidi Tiedemann Darroch (English); Catriona Walton (Allied Health Technologies); Steve Nixon (Plumbing and Pipe Trades); Melissa MacDougall (Continuing Care).
A phenomenal time was had by all in June at the 2025 Chairs Institute, held at the Honeymoon Bay Retreat Centre. This dedicated group of faculty leaders 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: The community building, expertise, compassion, the learning. I no longer feel alone taking on this role... The delivery of the exercises has inspired me to now rethink department meetings, team building, overall uplifting of the department in challenging times... I learned more about the college and the amazing community of leaders we have... The activities that were scheduled & the activities not scheduled; time to reflect, to eat with one another, to build & truly feel connect, safe, supported... I was able to learn so many really effective strategies for navigating my journey as a leader."
Read more about the biennial Chairs Institute
Back row left to right: Bradford Boisvert, Nancy Yakimoski, Judith Hunt (facilitator), Emily Schudel, Sean Bellerby, Stephen Scott (facilitator), Sheri Griffiths, Sarah-Joy Kallos, Stephanie Kirkland-Kuisma, Christopher Avis, David Pritchard, Robbyn Lanning. Kneeling from left to right: Martha McAlister (facilitator), Emah Christiansen, Julia Grav. (not pictured: Patricia Gaudreault, Robert Mahikwa)
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 “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.
