May 2013

I S S U E

N E W S L E T T E R

D A T E

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Spotlight

2012-2013 Overall Winner

Excellence in Teaching Award for Adjunct Faculty

Stella Payne
Congratulations to Instructor Stella Payne for being this years Overall Winner of the Excellence in Teaching Award for Adjunct Faculty: Instructor Payne has been teaching for five years and holds a degree in Mass Communications. Before becoming an instructor, she was a television journalist for twenty years. She incorporates her journalism experience into the classroom. Instructor Payne states, I became a teacher because I love to help others fulfill their dreams and goals in life, and teaching is the pathway that allows me to do that. She also indicates, A teacher must be effective and enjoy the fulfillment that comes with teaching. We achieve a high standard for personal performance, and we want to continue for as long as we can. She motivates her students by being an inspirational teacher and understanding each individual student within the context of his or her world. She also works diligently to show her students how much she cares about their success both in the classroom and in their future lives. Instructor Payne adds, It will foster confidence, excitement, and appreciation for learning. The teacher is the classroom leader and must set the tone for high student achievementI want to instill in [my students] that learning is the pathway to the fulfillment of their dreams and ambitions. There is no greater rule to live by than to give the gift of learningthe gift that lasts forever.

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Passing the torch

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Instructor Linda Casagrande received the Excellence in Teaching Award for Adjunct Faculty during the 2011-2012 term. She maintains that she does not hold back any information that can help her students. She states, I push them to be better than what is expected in their programs. Everyday they will face huge challenges; they must approach these challenges with confidence to trust their knowledge and forge ahead. I work closely with them so that they clearly understand the technology but also understand the perspective of the human condition. Instructor Casagrande was inspired to become a teacher by gaining knowledge and wisdom through countless real life experiences. She advises, It is critical [for students] to be able to defend their work. Is it done right? Why? Is it wrong? How will you fix it and do better in the future? We are professionals, given a huge responsibility. It is more important to establish a career built on a firm foundation than just obtain a position of employment. Their reputations will follow them. I have a favorite statement that I leave with my students when I send them on their way: Be good to this profession, and it will be good to you. I believe it. I live it. I teach it. Instructor Eddy Rawlinson is also Interim Dean of Arts and Sciences. He is the Overall Winner of the Excellence in Teaching Award for Adjunct Faculty for the 2010-2011 term. Instructor Rawlinson became an educator as a result of having teachers who were positive role models in his life. His teachers did not necessarily influence him to become a teacher himself, but they had very high standards of excellence. He describes these individuals as being completely themselves and as being readily available to pass on their passion and teaching skills to the next generation. Instructor Rawlinson maintains that the difference between a good teacher and a great teacher is that the great teacher adds fuel to the fire. That fuel is the passion for life and learning as well as providing an environment for that passion to grow. When asked his thoughts about receiving such a prestigious award and passing the torch to Linda Casagrande, he states, It was a great honor and a humbling experience to receive this award. I think it is wonderful that the college continues to give this award to support the accomplishments of faculty who continue to be an example in teaching that the award seeks to honor. I am again honored to recognize the next faculty colleague to receive this award.

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Evening/Weekend Activities
Employee Development Fund (EDF)
El Centro Colleges Employee Development Fund (EDF) helps employees defray the cost of conferences, workshops, and other professional development activities. Faculty, staff, and administrators may apply for funds to take part in activities that will enhance job skills, improve work performance, or elevate the quality of services provided. A New Record: EDF Book Sale On February 26-27, 2013, the Evening/Weekend Office helped coordinate the EDF Book Sale which raised an outstanding $2,021.86 in total sales. This is a new record in book sale proceeds for EDF.

QBQ Reading El Centro Colleges Evening/ Weekend Office staff recently completed a two-month examination of QBQ! The Question Behind the Question by John G. Miller. The subtitle of the text is, Practicing Personal Accountability at Work and in Life. The book suggests ways that an organization can implement personal accountability strategies and eliminate such elements as blame and procrastination to become a more effective and productive unit.

Good to Great The Evening/Weekend Office is currently reading the book, Good to Great, by Jim Collins. This classic text discusses the differences between the most successful companies and their competitors. It has strong implications for any department that wants to move from good to great. The Evening/ Weekend Office recommends this text as a guide for examining and improving one's personal success, management methods, and leadership through a mixture of humility and strong work ethic.

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How may we assist you?

Adjunct faculty mailboxes are located in the Evening/ Weekend Office, 701 Elm Street, Room B02.

Requests:
GroupWise Requests
New adjunct instructors are afforded the opportunity to complete GroupWise Request forms during orientation sessions. The Evening/Weekend Office submits the requests to the Division Offices to assist new adjunct faculty with obtaining District email addresses.

Procedures:
Blue Rolls Have Gone Green
Blue Rolls are now electronic. The Evening/Weekend team members are able to assist instructors with sending final grade information and documents electronically to their Division Offices.

Additional Services:

Manage mailboxes for instructors Assist with the distribution of class evaluations Provide office space for conferences with students Provide assistance with End-of-Semester check out processes Assist with employee contract distribution Submit copy requests Assist with eCampus and eConnect Record messages from students Assign lockers Additional assistance upon request

Key Requests
Adjunct faculty members are also able to complete Key Request forms. All forms are submitted to the Division Offices for signature. The Evening/ Weekend Office can pick up keys for faculty members who teach during evening and weekend hours.

Assignments
By instructor request and approval only, students may periodically visit the Evening/ Weekend Office to submit assignments. Our staff sends the instructor a GroupWise notification with the date and time the assignment was received. Our staff also sends a courtesy copy of the message to the students email address and to the Evening Administrator, Barbara Morgan.

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Procedures for Arrivals and Cancellations

Non-Arrival The Evening Administrator, Barbara Morgan, will attempt to contact an instructor who has not arrived for class. If the instructor cannot be reached and the instructor has not arrived within 20 minutes, students are asked to sign a roll sheet. The Evening Administrator will email the Division Dean and attach a copy of the roll sheet. Class Cancellation If an instructor contacts the Evening Administrator or the Evening/Weekend Office to advise of a class cancellation, we ask the reason for the cancellation and if students have been notified. We also ask the instructor if there is a message or an assignment for the students. We post signs to notify the students of the cancellation and of the assignment, if any. Students are also asked to sign a roll sheet. The Evening Administrator will email the Division Dean and attach a copy of the roll sheet. Late Arrival When instructors contact the Evening Administrator or the Evening/Weekend Office to notify that they will be running a few minutes late to class, we immediately send a runner to notify students. We also post signs to keep students informed.

Evening Administrator: Barbara Morgan (214) 608-7620 (cell) (214) 860-2287 (office) Evening/Weekend Staff Downtown Campus: Jessica Locke/Taurus Williams Contact Number: (214) 860-2157 Priest Campus: Alexandria Vaughns/Daniel Glidden Contact Number: (214) 860-5762 West Campus: Claudia Hernandez/ Avis Hardaman Contact Number: (972) 391-1402

EL CENTRO COLLEGES EVENING/WEEKEND OFFICE

701 Elm Street, Room B02 Dallas, TX 75202 Phone: (214) 860-2157 Fax: (214) 860-2467 E-mail: BarbaraM@dcccd.edu