SAC Teaching Excellence Pathway (STEP)
The SAC Teaching Excellence Pathway (STEP) at San Antonio College is a two-step certification process and includes:
- Online and Traditional Classroom Course (OTC)
- Applying the Quality Matters Rubric (APPQMR) – 7th Edition
In compliance with Alamo Colleges Board Policies & Procedures, the Teaching and Learning Center offers the STEP certification to ALL FACULTY (full-time and adjunct) at San Antonio College regardless of course modality. Per E.1.9 Online Learning Policy, the goal is to prepare all faculty to deliver high-quality, accessible instruction aligned with federal accessibility standards and district-wide expectations. Completion of both steps is required for STEP certification. (Dual Credit, Fire faculty, Law instructors, and Music faculty teaching private lessons only, are exempt from the STEP requirement.) New faculty should complete Step 1 (OTC Course) during their first semester teaching at SAC. Step 2 (APPQMR) may be completed within the first three semesters (or 18 months) of being hired at SAC.
IMPORTANT: All Canvas courses must adhere to the latest version of the SAC Course Layout, and annual recertification of APPQMR is mandatory to maintain STEP certification and eligibility for district stipends.
Faculty who completed the OTC course in 2015 or later do not need to retake the OTC course. However, all faculty must complete the current APPQMR – 7th Edition and maintain re-certification annually.
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Online and Traditional Classroom Course (OTC)
Choose from one of the upcoming courses below and register in AlamoTalent.
SAC OTC (type this in AlamoTALENT search to register for the cohort that best fits your schedule)
SUMMER 2025
SAC Summer 2025 OTC Cohort 1
May 30 to June 27
SAC Summer 2025 OTC Cohort 2
July 4 to July 25FALL 2025
SAC Fall 2025 OTC Cohort 1(Excellence Institute Fall 25)
August 22 to September 12
SAC Fall 2025 OTC Cohort 2
September 19 to October 17
SAC Fall 2025 OTC Cohort 3
October 24 to November 14
SAC Fall 2025 OTC Cohort 4
November 21 to December 26This is an asynchronous hybrid course on Canvas. Faculty learners will complete the course at their own pace and submit 17 assignments by the class end date. This course is considered HYBRID because optional one-on-one support sessions are available by request to help faculty complete tasks or build their sandbox.
Online and Traditional Classroom Course (OTC): This course is the first of two required steps for STEP – SAC Teaching Excellence Pathway. The course introduces faculty to Canvas, instructional design tools, and strategies for creating accessible, engaging, and student-centered courses across all teaching modalities. Faculty will explore research-based teaching methods and practical tools to improve student engagement, course navigation, and learning outcomes.
The OTC course is organized around key topics and hands-on tasks. Faculty learners will design or redesign one of their own courses inside a Canvas sandbox. For example, they will apply the SAC Course Layout by building a clear, accessible course homepage and aligning content with student learning outcomes. Faculty may use their own instructional materials or examples shared by their department or colleagues.
A complete list of all sessions are available in Alamo Talent. To register for the course, access AlamoTALENT via ACES and within the search box, search for “SAC OTC”. -
Applying the Quality Matters Rubric (APPQMR) 7th Edition
Learn the underlying principles behind the QM Rubric and the critical elements of the QM quality assurance process. Learn about drafting helpful recommendations as you apply the Rubric to an actual course. This is Step 2 of STEP – SAC Teaching Excellence Pathway.
All faculty at Alamo Colleges District that complete APPQMR and re-certify with the most recent edition each year, may qualify for a stipend.
Register for any ONE of the upcoming dates/modalities.
APPQMR 2-3 Week Online
Asynchronous WorkshopAPPQMR 8-Hour Face-to-Face Workshop
This workshop is offered by Alamo Colleges District Faculty Development Facilitators and Managed by Quality Matters. It is offered on QM's Canvas with assignment due dates. Click on the RED BOX linked below to register.
This workshop is offered by SAC Instructional Innovation Center Face-to-Face in MLC 712 at SAC. Register in AlamoTalent.
Spring 2025
April 18 to May 6
Summer 2025
May 23 to June 9
June 13 to June 30
July 11 to July 28
Summer 2025
June 11, 2025
Fall 2025
August 22, 2025
October 10, 2025
Click here to register for the dates that best fit your schedule!
The Quality Matters online APPQMR is an intense and time-sensitive course. This course is facilitated by Alamo Colleges District and managed by Quality Matters. The District facilitators, like all Quality Matters facilitators do not control the content or any logistics of the course. ALL Quality Matters facilitators complete a rigorous certification in order to be able to facilitate this course. By enrolling in the course you are making a commitment to complete all the assessments and adhere to the schedule over the entire workshop\course. This is an asynchronous course taken on an online learning management platform. By enrolling in the course, you are making a commitment to complete all the assessments and adhere to the schedule over the entire workshop\course.
Fill out the form below to be enrolled in the workshop of your choice.
This special workshop introduces you to the Quality Matters rubric and how you can apply it to your online courses. This is the QM foundation workshop for anyone who might be interested in participating on a peer review team in the future. As a participant, you will also be able to apply the strategies to your own online course design. Those who successfully complete the workshop will receive a Quality Matters certificate of completion. This course is the first of the two courses leading to QM Peer Review Certification. This is a FACE-TO-FACE APPQMR Workshop hosted in the SAC IIC Lab at MLC 712.
Search in AlamoTALENT by clicking on My Learning > Events Calendar and look at the date of your choice.
Click here to register for the dates that best fit your schedule!
Questions?
If you have any questions or need more information, feel free to contact Dr. Bobbie Myatt at bmyatt@alamo.edu or Dr. Carmen Mercedez at cmercedez@alamo.edu.Questions?
If you have any questions, or need more information, feel free to contact Aaryn Morris at amorris1@alamo.edu or Usha Venkat at uvenkat@alamo.edu. -
Why do I need to take the Alamo Colleges
APPQMR Recertification Course?- Alamo recertification for those receiving the stipend will launch mid to late November 2024 with a 5/31/25 deadline for continuance through AY 25-26.
- This is the recertification course delivered by Alamo Colleges District Faculty Development to satisfy the requirement to continue to receive the stipend. The details of this stipend are found in the Updated APPQMR Certification Pay Fact Sheet found in Sharepoint on the Faculty Development page.
Who is it for?
- All previous Quality Matters participants that are currently receiving and are choosing to continue receiving the Alamo Colleges APPQMR stipend.
How is it delivered?
- This course is delivered entirely online, asynchronously, within the Alamo Colleges Canvas system.
Questions?
if you have any questions, or need more information, feel free to contact Dr. Carmen Mercedez at cmercedez@alamo.edu or Bobbie Myatt at bmyatt@alamo.edu
Do you have questions about Canvas or OTC? |
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Ask a Faculty Champion
Thank you to all of the SAC Faculty Champions for sharing their time and talent by providing Online Teaching Support. Each department has identified Faculty Champions that are Online Teaching Certified and can provide assistance to Faculty that are currently enrolled in the OTC Course, are preparing their own course for Peer Review or may have other questions about Online Teaching for their specific discipline. Please email sac-teachlearn@alamo.edu if you would like to be included on this list as a Faculty Champion. Online Teaching Certification at San Antonio College is a three step program and includes:
Find more information on the Online Teaching Certification page.
Faculty Champions by Discipline/Department
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Grading in Canvas | IIC Zoom Room |
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SAC Course Layout |
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Instructional Technology Assistance
Contact Instructional Innovation Center at sac-iic@alamo.edu or Call 210-486-0712.
Please visit the IIC Remote Zoom Room for Technical Assistance at https://alamo.zoom.us/j/808709068Instructional Innovation Center
Instructional Technologists & Technology Training SpecialistsAaryn Morris
Instructional Technology Supervisor
210.486.1224
amorris1@alamo.eduHermelinda Lopez
Client Support Specialist
210.486.0811
huvalle@alamo.edu -
Instructional Design Assistance
To schedule a consultation, visit Canvas Scheduler.
Instructional Designer
Amy Gates
Instructional Designer
Alamo Colleges Online
Serving San Antonio College
agates16@alamo.edu -
Support Resource Links
How to register in Alamo Talent
How to download the SAC Course Layout (PDF Guide)
How to download the SAC Course Layout (Video)
SAC Online Teaching Certification Process
SAC Online Teaching Certification FAQ's