Staying On Course May 2018

Change = Opportunities for Reflection and Growth

"A change will do you good," is the title and chorus of one of Sheryl Crow's popular songs. Do you agree with her? Do people automatically view change in a positive way? Is it the fear of something new or the loss of the status quo that often gives the idea of change a bad reputation? From becoming a center to a college, increasing student enrollment every year, increasing the number faculty and staff members, transferring more students to universities, nearly doubling our awarded degrees from last year to faculty, staff, and administrators retiring or moving on, and legislation creating additional concerns for English, reading, and mathematics faculty, Clovis Community College is always in a state of change in some form. People don't always like it, but change often gives us an opportunity to reflect.

As the semester comes to a close and you are busy grading final exams, projects, essays, or preparing for commencement, can you spare a little bit of time to stop and reflect on how your semester or academic year went? What are the successes for you as an instructor/ counselor/ staff member/ administrator? Celebrate those successes instead of letting that inner critic steal your victories no matter how large or small. Know that you made a difference in some way on this campus whether it was with students, colleagues, visitors, or everyone you encountered.

The next steps of reflection can be a little more difficult, but in the end can also be rewarding. Think about what you would like to change in order to improve your instruction, counseling of students, leadership on campus, relationships with colleagues, physical health, mental health, or anything else that will be beneficial to you, the students, and your colleagues. Susan Hansen, retired Library Services Assistant, always commented that in the beginning of the fall semester, she always noticed how relaxed and refreshed the faculty looked after a summer break. So, on that note, have a relaxing, adventurous, reflective, and rejuvenating summer break.

"Embrace change, even when the change slaps you in the face." Walter Breuning, supercentenarian
"Change is inevitable. Growth is optional." Unknown

CCC Professional Book Club

The Fall 2018 CCC Professional Book Club selection is Teach Students How to Learn: Strategies You Can Incorporate Into Any Course to Improve Student Metacognition, Study Skills, and Motivation.
ISBN: 978-1620363164
Read the book over the summer and attend the Flex Day session for a robust discussion. Some of the ideas presented in the book are:

1. Connections between motivation, emotions, and learning.
2. The power of teaching Bloom's Taxonomy and the study cycle to students.
3. Teaching underprepared students.
4. Metacognitive learning strategies at work.

The library has a copy of the book and the first two people to e-mail Ann Brandon with the subject line Book Group will receive a copy of the book. Don't miss out.