Welcome to the Learning Center

The Journey Towards a Trauma Informed Classroom
Ginny Buccelli, MFA, will open this year’s Teachers on Teaching by sharing her journey to certification as a Trauma Informed Specialist. She will offer an overview of the need for creating trauma-informed classrooms for all levels of learners and the impact this work has had on her own students.  

A student panel will follow the keynote presentation. College and high school students will reflect on their experiences dealing with their own trauma while in school.

Ginny Buccelli, MFA, BIO
Ginny Buccelli holds an MFA from Antioch University, and a Trauma Informed Specialist Certificate from CSU East Bay. Her seventeen years of teaching at community colleges include ten as a full-time professor at Mendocino College. Prior to her college experience, she spent nearly a decade as a volunteer reading instructor in third grade classrooms and successfully sent two former teens into the world.

Culturally Responsive Teaching Strategies to Improve Workforce Readiness
In this workshop the presenter will provide an overview of relevant research and demonstrate strategies that represent a culturally responsive framework to support workforce development in a rural community college setting. Furthermore, the presenter will share evidence based organizational leadership practices that support learning institutions in rural communities with workforce development initiatives. Participants will be provided resources, and hands-on activities that help them to better understand the important connection between workforce development and education in remote locales, such as Mendocino County. Participants will be asked to provide feedback on strategies and practices that they use in order to make learning more relevant and attainable for disadvantaged students living in rural areas of Northern California.

Lisa Furlong BIO
Lisa Furlong was born and raised in Southern California and moved to Mendocino County in 2016. She is the mother of 2 young children. She is a graduate of CSUF, Multiple Subject Credential, LMU MBA, and currently a student in the USF, Education Department with the objective of earning her EdD. in Organizational Leadership. She is currently a Professor of Business at Mendocino College. Prior to her professorial role, she was a Dean at Upper Lake Elementary School and Educational Director at Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians, and Boys and Girls Club. She was also an instructor at Yokayo Elementary School (Grade 5), Potter Valley (Kindergarten) and has substituted in multiple districts.

Equity and Inclusion
In "Enhancing Adult Motivation to Learn: A Comprehensive Guide for Teaching All Adults", Raymond J. Wlodkowski, and Margery Ginsberg, share the five key characteristics of a motivating instructor. We will explore our own skill sets and determine how we, as educators, possess expertise, empathy, enthusiasm, clarity, and cultural responsiveness. In turn, we will recognize which skills we may need to refine or gain additional information about. This session will explore andragogy, Knowles’ Adult Learning Theory and the 5 Pillars of a motivating instructor. Further, specific examples and activities related to the 5 characteristics and how to incorporate these skills when teaching adult students will be shared.

Tascha Whetzel BIO 
 

Somatic Pilates
Somatic Pilates is a blend of somatic wellness practices and body awareness combined with the principles of the Pilates strength and flexibility training methods. This workshop is a time to check in with our nervous systems, turn our attention to our bodies and soothe our minds. All levels welcome as this will be taught in a playful explorative and integrative way. 

We will explore our own nervous system reactions, learn simple tools to build physical and mental integration and practice some mindfulness through integrative Pilates based practices. This workshop is designed to be an introduction to the concepts we play with in this course, as well as a little break from all of the thinking we will be doing over the course of this conference! All equipment, including mats will be provided in our lovely Mendocino College Dance studio. 
 

Dena Watson-Krasts BIO
 

Overcoming the Social Studies Snoozefest: UDL In Action
This professional development workshop will provide educators with a practical understanding and application of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Participants will explore the following: Personal Connection, UDL Framework Introduction, Experiential Learning, Debrief & Reflection, Introduction to Ludia: A UDL Tool, and Building a UDL Network.

Logan Silva BIO
 

Had it Up to Here with the Challenges of Teaching High School Students? - A Session Centered on Solidarity & Support for College Instructors Teaching High School Students
Join us for an enriching and empathetic dialogue that centers on the importance of solidarity and support when grappling with the unique challenges of teaching college-level content to high school students.

The session will begin with introductions, followed by an open discussion where colleagues are encouraged to share their personal experiences regarding challenges faced teaching both on and off high school campuses. Then, we will brainstorm together to generate innovative approaches and practical solutions to the challenges identified. By leveraging our collective expertise, we will develop actionable strategies that can be implemented in our classrooms. We will close our session by exploring opportunities to extend our support of one another beyond this space.  

Although the intent behind this session is to create a supportive space for college faculty currently teaching high school students to connect, all educators are welcome to attend. 

Bias Collins BIO
 

Recharge with Iyengar Yoga
We will be doing some beginning yoga poses in the middle of the room, sometimes with a partner. Iyengar yoga emphasizes precision and alignment, and I will give instructions for practicing safely and efficiently, so that you get the most out of your experience. You will exit the class feeling calm, energized, and refreshed.

Jeff Brunner BIO
Melissa Nole serves as a Child Development college instructor at Mendocino College, bringing experience as an elementary school teacher, instructional coach, and mentor. With a background in education, Melissa deeply understands the emotional demands of the profession. Her journey as an educator has equipped her with insights into the challenges and barriers that students and teachers face in the classroom. In addition to her background in child development and education, Melissa holds certification as a yoga instructor. Both personally and professionally, she has committed herself to integrating mindfulness practices into the learning environment.

Navigating the Classroom with Calm
By understanding your own trauma landscape and recognizing the emotional triggers that may surface, teachers can better regulate their reactions and create a nurturing space for both themselves and their students. Thoughtfully assessing situations that pull you away from the present moment and learning practical grounding techniques will help you navigate challenging moments with increased fluency. As teachers prioritize mental wellness—whether through mindfulness, self-reflection, or proactive coping strategies—they not only reduce the risk of burnout but also cultivate an environment of empathy and support. This commitment to well-being fosters a classroom atmosphere where both educators and students can thrive, learning and growing in a space of emotional safety and mutual respect.

Lisa Larimer-Burtis BIO
 

Embracing Intersectional Identities through Project and Interest-Based Learning
Bill Thornsby from Big Picture at South Valley will explore intersectional identities and the framework of intersectionality—how race, gender, class, and other identities shape learning experiences—and demonstrate how the Big Picture Learning model cultivates inclusive, equity-driven education by embracing student identities and interests.

Bill Thornsby BIO