Small Changes, Big Impact

There isn’t one solution or magic wand to enhance learning and promote student success but choosing from a spectrum of small changes can potentially help to improve student retention and persistence. We will share tips from the book, Small Teaching, and look forward to learning from the wisdom you and other participants have gained through your classroom experiences.

There will be a drawing! Two lucky participants will receive a copy of James Lang’s Small Teaching (2021). We’ll discuss an article from The Chronicle of Higher Education, Small Changes in Teaching to provide deeper insights into how small changes in teaching can have a powerful impact on student learning.

JoAnn Burnett

Business Technology Instructor

JoAnn Catherine Burnett is a Business Instructor at WVU Potomac State College, where she teaches undergraduate business communications, marketing, technology, soft skills and more. She was awarded Outstanding Professor of the Year in 2022 and is a Teaching & Learning Commons Faculty Associate.

Real-world, hands-on experience back Professor Burnett in her efforts to teach students in the field of marketing and digital communications. She offers valuable, concrete perspectives as students learn to apply skills and knowledge to situations they are likely to encounter.

Professor Burnett has been an entrepreneur for 30+ years. Past business enterprises include web development agencies, e-commerce businesses, retail stores and freelance consulting. An early corporate career at Prodigy Interactive Services, PepsiCo International and Union Carbide Corporation rounds out her professional experience.

JoAnn lives in Keyser, WV and enjoys cooking for her family and friends at home. Her two daughters are alumni of Potomac State College and West Virginia University.

Amy Weaver

Business Technology & CIS Assistant Professor

Amy Weaver is a Business Technology Instructor at WVU Potomac State College. She holds a Master of Business Administration from West Liberty University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Marshall University, and a Bachelor of Science in Business from Frostburg State University. Amy is also a graduate of Potomac State College. Amy serves as Unit Coordinator for the Business Department and as the Teaching and Learning Commons Faculty Associate. She was an IDEA Faculty Fellow and advocates for entrepreneurship on the PSC campus. Her passion is to encourage students to find their strengths and utilize resources to start their own businesses. Amy loves the beach and spending time with her family outdoors in the summer. As the mother of four boys, she spends most of her time at a sports complex.