Partners In Learning Conference 2026
In Celebration of Promising Practices
Friday, May 8, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on ZOOM
This year’s conference, “In Celebration of Promising Practices,” focuses on lifting up and celebrating the amazing things happening in the De Anza campus community. It is designed to be a recognition of the incredible work and dedication of De Anza faculty, classified professionals and administrators.
SCHEDULE OF ZOOM WORKSHOPS:
9:00 - 9:50 am
OPENING KEYNOTE - Empathy as Strategic Support for Student Wellbeing by Calista Leung, clinical intern for the Mental Health and Wellbeing Center and Sharon Li, clinical intern for the Mental Health and Wellbeing Center: JOIN
9:50 - 10:40 am
Village Language Cafés: Building Community Through Language by Brian Malone, English faculty and Diana Ferrara, Italian faculty and the De Anza Villages Team: JOIN
OER and ZTC in Action: Practical Pathways for Teaching by James Perla-Adams, OELP and OER Coordinator: JOIN
10:40 - 10:50 am ~ BREAK
10:50 - 11:10 am
Building a Community Through Student Success by Kasey Walker, student and Caitlin Lam, student and Phillip Chang, student: JOIN
Exploring Personal Bias in a Safe Environment by Melissa Sherman, Nursing faculty: JOIN
11:10 am - 12:00 pm
Accomidating Blind & Visually Impaired Students in the Classroom by Deborah Armstrong, Alternative Media Specialist in Disability Services: JOIN
Making Ideas Real: 3D Printing as a Tool for Interdisciplinary Learning by Kara Krone, Design and Manufacturing Technology faculty: JOIN
12:00 - 12:30 pm ~ LUNCH
12:30 - 1:20 pm
Library Services for Student, Staff and Faculty Success by James Perla-Adams, Equity and Instruction librarian and Cecilia Hui, librarian and Keri Kirkpatrick Equity and Instruction librarian: JOIN
Support Your Own Adventure: Balancing Agency and Decision Fatigue Thorugh "Scaffolded" Choice by Sarah Wilker, Equity Faculty Coordinator: JOIN
1:20 - 2:10 pm
The Whole Student Approach: Transforming Education with Trauma Informed Care by Jila Maleksalehi, Child Development and Education faculty: JOIN
Collaborating to Support: ESL and Math Embedded Tutoring Pilot by Diana Alves De Lima, Student Success Center Co-Director and Melissa Aguilar, Student Success Center Co-Director and Linda Yee, English as a Second Language faculty: JOIN
2:10 - 2:20 pm ~ BREAK
2:20 - 2:40 pm
TikTok as a Tool for Inviting Students to Access Services by Raquel Perez, the HUB Student Success Specialist and student employees: JOIN
How to Encourage More Robust Interaction in Discussions with Melissa Sherman, Nursing faculty: JOIN
2:40 - 3:30 pm
CLOSING KEYNOTE - Mindful Movement: Breath and Presence by Noemi Teppang, International Student Programs counselor: JOIN
Each group of employees was invited to submit conference proposals focused on “promising practices” that support student engagement and success. These include thoughtful approaches to complexities, successful pedagogical strategies, innovative assignments and assessments, meaningful strategies and services, intentionally designed programs or anything that they were excited to share with their colleagues. Students were also invited to submit proposals for the conference focused on positive experiences they have had at De Anza that support student engagement and success. These include incredible classroom experiences, assignments with faculty members or meaningful interactions with Student Services and other offices.
If you have questions, please reach out to Faculty Professional Development Coordinator Sal Breiter.
This event is hosted by the Office of Professional Development
Please sign in at each workshop on the day of the conference to receive PGA credit, full-time faculty member professional development hours or part-time faculty member pay. Presenters will earn credit equal to three times the length of their presentation, to account for preparation time.