Classrooms Observations

Class Observations, Feedback, and Consultation

The Faculty Professional Development Program provides consultation as well as confidential feedback on teaching based on classroom observations. This opportunity is available to all faculty members. Upon your request, a Lane faculty member with expertise in instructional design and pedagogy as well as experience providing formal feedback to teachers will observe one of your classes and provide suggestions on ways to enhance your teaching. You may request either general feedback or input on a specific aspect of teaching (e.g. appropriate use of technology, promotion of active learning, classroom management, student engagement, etc.) After the observation or review, your observer will arrange to meet with you to provide consultation and feedback. This program is not part of any evaluation system, and all feedback will be completely confidential and constructive. At the present time, we are fortunate to have four qualified faculty members who are available to observe classes and provide feedback. (Please see bios below.) Please fill out the Feedback Request Form if you would like to take advantage of this opportunity. Please note: Beginning Fall 2016, FPD will pilot offering small stipends of $100 to faculty participants. Faculty members who request an observation will meet with an FPD specialist prior to and following the observation and will also complete a post-observation reflection in order to receive the stipend. Please submit the Reflection Form to FPD Coordinator, Brooke Taylor.

Michael Sámano:

"The teacher is no longer merely the-one-who-teaches, but one who is him/herself taught in dialogue with the students, who in turn while being taught also teach. They become jointly responsible for a process in which all grow." -- Paulo Freire

Michael Sámano, is a native Eugenean, Oregon. After six-years of military service, he started his academic career at Lane Community College. At the University of Oregon he studied Sociology and Ethnic Studies. He earned Master of Arts degrees from Humboldt State University, and the University of California, Davis, and holds a Ph.D. in Education from Oregon State University. Professionally, Sámano journeyed full-circle in 1999, when he returned to Lane as the program coordinator for Ethnic Studies.

Sámano points to the 1991 – 1992 academic year as the start of his lifelong exploration of the mechanics of classroom dynamics. That year, as an undergraduate senior at the University of Oregon, he received special dispensation through the Graduate School to participate, as a Teaching Assistant, in a 600-level doctoral seminar. The experience of being directly mentored by a master-level senior faculty member, led to a deep understanding of how to deliver classroom material, how to facilitate individual and group discussions, and how to evaluate student performance and progress.

While at Humboldt State University, Sámano was able to expand his knowledge of the profession of teaching while studying in the Department of Sociology's teaching track. The all-encompassing program focused on learning educational theory and teaching pedagogy. In an educational setting, the graduate students built, critiqued, edited, and then re-edited multiple course syllabi. Students were trained in the nuances, reasons, and practice of holding office hours. More importantly, Sámano and others, focused most of their attention on classroom instruction: the delivery of course material, the evaluation of student performance, and how to handle hard topics, situations, and students. When he was hired as a faculty member at Sacramento City College, and later at Portland Community College, he began what he continues to do to this day: simultaneously teach and learn with the students in his classroom.

Throughout his career, Sámano continues to seek opportunities to refine his classroom skills using FPD funds, as well as participate in workshop and seminar opportunities. More importantly, he strives to put study into practice.

Areas of expertise:

  • creating an inclusive learning environment
  • working with diverse student populations (e.g. Veterans)

For additional information, please contact FPD Coordinator, Brooke Taylor, at taylorb@lanecc.edu