Learning Lab Superheroes

When Blackhawk says it strives to provide a flexible education in a supportive environment, they prove it. As new students start their educational journey and established students seek help for more advanced classes, the Learning Lab is open to provide support of many varieties. 

Located on Central Campus inside the Student Success Center, the Learning Lab is staffed with instructors with a vast range of experience to help students excel. Open Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., the lab is available for student drop-ins – no appointment is necessary. When students do stop in, lab instructors request that they bring all class materials so instructors can ensure they are providing quality help. For students who cannot stop by in person, Zoom tutoring is also available during certain hours and can be accessed online.

Two of Blackhawk’s long-term lab instructors are Joanne Seager and Patty Keller.

Joanne thought her professional journey would start and end in a high school classroom once she graduated with her teaching degree. “While living in Appleton, WI,” Joanne said, “I stumbled upon the world of adult literacy, where I helped adults learn how to read and write. It was truly inspiring work! When my family and I moved to Beloit, I began another gratifying job teaching suspended/expelled high students for the Beloit School District. That position led me to working here at BTC, helping at-risk high school students earn their HSED. My path has taken a 10+ year rest stop in the Learning Lab where I have taught students in various areas, including GED, ELL, basic computers, math, and, of course, English.”

Joanne’s specialties are, first and foremost, writing and APA Style (for writing), but she also assists with math and has experience with GED instruction. Many nursing students seek her out for assistance with written nursing assignments. 

On the other hand, Patty began her journey at Blackhawk right out of high school when she jumped into the secretarial program. Immediately in that program, she noticed and respected how the BTC instructors interacted with the students. “It was my dream to return someday to BTC to teach and to be part of this community that truly strives to support students in achieving their goals,” Patty said. “After completing my secretarial program here, I worked as an assistant secretary to the supervisor of Adult Basic Education. That experience opened doors for me to later get a teaching position under the same supervisor once I completed my teaching degree. What a blessed journey it has been!” 

Patty’s specialty is math and math for the sciences, such as Prep for Basic Chemistry and Physics; she also teaches the online Nursing Math course. “I love the opportunity to work with students and to help them succeed in math, which often leads to a joy in math that many students had never experienced before,” Patty shared.

Erica Fenton, the Department Chair for the Learning Support Division, cannot say enough good things about the time and energy that these women have invested in the BTC student body. “Joanne and Patty are long-term adjuncts with Learning Support and have many years of experience assisting students in the lab and are truly dedicated to student success. We couldn’t operate the lab without them!” 

Students may connect with Joanne or Patty during their hours in the Learning Lab. 

• Monday and Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Thursday: 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

• Monday: 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

“Benjamin Franklin once said, ‘Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today,’” Joanne recalled. “Students should actively take part in their education immediately. Talk to instructors, utilize the plethora of resources BTC offers, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. So many times, I have heard students tell us that they wish they had come for help sooner. Take advantage of everything BTC has to offer, starting on Day One!!”