2026 Staff Development Days

Staff members gather for annual opportunity to learn, connect, and grow

By Malena Goerl

Speaker on a stage addressing audience Pictured: Keynote speaker Dr. Debi Jenkins on stage at the 2026 Staff Development Days

On August 11 and 12, Clark's staff members came together for Staff Development Days, an annual professional development opportunity that allows participants to explore new skills while connecting with one another.

"Clark College is an institution of learning, and as such, we are all learners," Dr. Edwards shared in her opening remarks. "Lifelong learning is essential for personal growth, career development, and adapting to a constantly changing world. I encourage you to ... learn from one another and explore new ideas that will strengthen your work and our college community."

The event began with a friendly trivia competition. In teams, participants answered questions about Clark College, such as what kind of penguin is Oswald, and how many commencement ceremonies have we had at the Ridgefield Amphitheater? It was a close game, but the winning team pulled ahead by one point and got to choose from a prize table of penguin swag.

Pictured: Team ComMarky Mark and the Funky Bunch celebrate their win at Clark Trivia.

Then, the sessions began. With more than 40 to choose from throughout the two days, staff members had many opportunities to build skills, practice self-care, and learn about new college procedures and plans. In one session, participants practiced Group EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and gained wellness tools for times of stress. Others learned how to analyze data, evaluate accessibility of web content or text, or fill out budget forms. Some stretched their legs while learning the history behind the many beautiful art pieces around campus during an Art Walk. But no matter the topic, every workshop provided staff members with the opportunity to learn, grow, and connect.

A line of people outside next to an art structure
Pictured: Jenny Shadley (middle) leads an Art Walk around campus.

Thank you to the Staff Development Day planning committee for putting together another successful event: Andra Spencer, Marie Pham, Abi Whittle, Alyssa Montminy, Carolyn Stark, Haley Tucker, Maggie Li, Michelle Golder, Mikey Waller, Renn Bush, Vanessa Bural, and Wendé Fisher. The committee also ensured participants were well fed, providing catered lunch and snacks throughout the event.

Breaking Down "-isms" with Dr. Jenkins

Dr. Debi Jenkins on stage
Pictured: Dr. Debi Jenkins gives her keynote speech.

This year's keynote speaker was Dr. Debi Jenkins, who engaged Clark staff in a discussion around the "-isms" of our society through humor and interactive conversation.

Before joining the faculty, Dr. Jenkins was first a Clark student and received a certification with plans to open her own daycare center. Although her plans changed course, she eventually found a home in the Early Childhood Education Department as an instructor in 1992 — now, nearly 35 years later, she's the department's chair.

She even made Clark history; Dr. Jenkins shared that she was the first woman-identified African American tenured faculty member in Clark's history, and until this year, has remained the only one.

It was an apt introduction to her presentation, which she began by reading a poem she wrote about "-isms" — those that work for her (which she can't pretend to ignore), and those that work against her. She posed the question to the audience, "Which systemic ‘isms’ do you benefit from?"

To help staff members understand, Dr. Jenkins provided a worksheet that allowed audience members to identify what their own -isms are, such as ageism, classism, language-ism, and a dozen more types of classifications. Then, she brought out bags full of plastic toy balls and asked each individual was asked to hold one ball for every -ism they listed. Some had one or two. Others had armfuls, with balls bouncing on the floor as they struggled to hold them all. The room was full of so many –isms that there weren't enough balls for every person.

"We carry these [-isms] into classrooms, conflict, decision-making, and more," Dr. Jenkins explained.

But her discussion wasn't just identifying these categories; it was also about the work that needs to happen to dispel these systems put in place to oppress groups of people. Included in that work is recognizing the behaviors that complicate the capacity to care, and that can dismiss the experiences of others, even unintentionally.

"This is lifelong work," she said. "Spend the time to be curious because everyone is different."