Faculty at Western Technical College (Western) teach diverse topics and come from equally diverse backgrounds. They make Western the essential experience for students because they have worked in their areas of expertise and bring real-life experiences and knowledge to their classrooms.

In order to teach at Western, you must meet requirements established by the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS), The Higher Learning Commission, as well as state and federal licensing for your academic or occupational area. This is in addition to those minimum requirements set by Western Technical College.

Faculty Quality Assurance System (FQAS)

The Faculty Quality Assurance System (FQAS) is the system that ensures Western hires highly qualified faculty and provides ongoing professional development to support learner success. The requirements are outlined in Wisconsin Administrative Rule (TCS 3) and apply to all faculty, full- and part-time, who are teaching courses that apply to a degree or adult basic education within the WTCS.

Faculty who are hired to teach at Western must meet seven initial competencies designed to give new instructors the core ideas and broad understandings of teaching and learning at Western. Collectively, the competencies serve as a springboard for ongoing professional development. The seven competencies include:

• Teaching Methods and Technology, which introduces basic learning theory and a range of engaging teaching strategies
• Assessment, which acquaints instructors with a variety of ways to check for student understanding as well as use assessment results to improve teaching
• Student Success, which focuses on how instructors can best help Western students succeed in the classroom, in higher education, and beyond
• Behavioral Management, which explores the strategies and tools that help to establish and maintain a positive learning experience for all students in the classroom
• Course Design, which familiarizes instructors with the tenants and tools of curriculum development
• Embracing Diversity, which investigates the impact college, community, student demographics, and instructors’ perspectives have on teaching and learning
• Data and Evidence Analysis, which looks at how instructors collect and use data from their classrooms to inform decisions about teaching and learning.

All seven competencies must be met within three years of your hire date for full-time faculty and five years of your hire date for part-time faculty, regardless if you are teaching continuously during that time. 

Shortly after being hired, new faculty members will receive a summary of their outstanding competencies along with a schedule of course offerings that meet the outstanding requirements. Newly hired faculty with teaching experience may have some of these requirements removed based on course and work experience after a review of each new faculty member’s application materials. At times, a portion of a requirement may also be removed. Faculty have the opportunity to provide additional documentation throughout the process. 

For more information on FQAS, contact:

Jackie Kettner-Sieber
Associate Director, Talent, Retention and Employee Relations
Phone: 608-789-6233
Email: kettner-sieberj@westerntc.edu

In accordance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, Drug-Free Schools and Communities Acts Amendments of 1989 and Wisconsin State Statute, Chapter 961, Uniform Controlled Substance Act, the following policy is hereby adopted:

Policy

College policy prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance in the workplace. The term "controlled substance" means substances listed in Schedules I through V of Section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. Section 812. Among other substances, it includes such illegal drugs as marijuana, cocaine, crack, PCP, heroin, morphine, and LSD.

Notice of Convictions

An employee must notify the Human Resources Director no later than five (5) days after the employee has received any criminal drug statute conviction based on a violation which occurred in the workplace. The College will report such convictions to the appropriate Federal agency within ten (10) days. For the purposes of this notice requirement, a conviction includes a finding of guilt, a no contest plea, and/or an imposition of sentence by any judicial body for any violation of a criminal statute involving the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance in the workplace.

Penalties For Violation

Compliance with this policy is a condition of continued employment. If an employee violates any aspect of this policy, the College will take appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including discharge. Furthermore, the employee may be required to satisfactorily participate in a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program approved for such purpose by federal, state or local health, law enforcement, or other appropriate agency.

Revised December 21, 2004
Reviewed March 11, 1993 (grammatical changes)
Adopted September 18, 1990

View a PDF containing Western's Affirmative Action Plan