Tonya Holdaway

Dr. Tonya Holdaway
Professor 

As a Professor at Yuba College, I am dedicated to fostering curiosity, compassion, and critical thinking in every classroom. My teaching focuses on helping students connect psychological principles to their lived experiences, empowering them to see how understanding human behavior can transform both personal growth and community well-being.

I teach a variety of courses including Introduction to Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Chemical Dependency Counseling, Addictive Behaviors, and Drugs and Behavior. These courses invite students to explore the complex intersections between biology, environment, and experience, with particular emphasis on topics such as trauma, resilience, and recovery. My goal is to help students develop insight, empathy, and a foundation for lifelong learning.

In my work, I integrate Universal Design for Learning (UDL), culturally responsive pedagogy, and Open Educational Resources (OER) to ensure accessibility and inclusion for all learners. I also serve as a mentor for faculty through Yuba College’s instructional design and online teaching initiatives, helping colleagues enhance course quality and engagement through Canvas innovations and alignment with the CVC-OEI and Quality Matters frameworks.

At the heart of my teaching philosophy is the belief that education should be transformative—helping students discover what they are good at, who they are becoming, and how they can contribute meaningfully to the world around them.

Warmly,

Tonya Holdaway, PhD

Class Schedule