Tonka Jokelova Instructor Spotlight
Instructional Design | SUNY Canton
About Tonka
Tonka Jokelova is an instructional designer and online education specialist at SUNY Canton with expertise in instructional design, online teaching, and accessibility. She is passionate about helping educators create engaging, effective online learning experiences that support both student success and instructor satisfaction.
Courses Taught
Online Teaching Certificate
Why Take This Course?
The Online Teaching Certificate program provides participants with the opportunity to design and develop courses they can immediately use on their campuses. Throughout the process, participants receive interactive feedback from the instructor and engage in meaningful discussions with peers, creating a collaborative learning environment focused on practical application.
As one participant shared, “I really appreciated how practical and applicable this course was. Each assignment directly contributed to building a real course, which made the experience feel meaningful and relevant. I also found the discussions valuable, as they allowed me to learn from peers with different perspectives and approaches to course design.”
What to Expect
Participants can expect a flexible and supportive experience that allows them to tailor their work to their own teaching styles and campus needs. Whether building a few modules or developing an entire course, participants have the freedom to shape their projects in meaningful ways.
Those who choose to develop a full course during the program benefit from more extensive feedback from both the instructor and fellow participants, helping them refine and strengthen their course design.
Instructor Reflection
Teaching this program has reinforced for Tonka the importance of remaining flexible and responsive to learners’ needs. Participant questions often reveal opportunities to clarify concepts and improve the learning experience.
One of the most rewarding aspects of teaching the program is seeing participants’ completed courses at the end. Each course reflects the ongoing conversations, design principles, and personal teaching styles that participants bring to the experience. Tonka also values watching participants support one another, build professional connections, and learn from shared experiences. These interactions help her continue to grow as both an instructor and a learner.
Why She Teaches for SUNY CPD
Education—and especially high-quality online education—is Tonka’s passion, profession, and mission. She enjoys sharing resources, fostering conversations about effective online teaching, and helping instructors create courses that are rewarding for both students and educators. Through SUNY CPD, she values the opportunity to collaborate with faculty across the SUNY system and contribute to meaningful professional growth.