TCCTA Blog

Come to the Great Teaching Round Up!

There is still time to register for the Great Teaching Round Up, scheduled for May 21-24, at the beautiful YO Resort Ranch in Kerrville. Modelled after the seminars by Gottshall and Garrison, participants invariably return invigorated and enthused about their chosen profession. The Round Up is designed for teachers by teachers—and facilitated by teachers.

It is common for colleges and faculty organizations to sponsor selected faculty members who have been awarded "Teacher of the Year" or other distinction.

Why should I Round Up or send my staff to Round Up?

1. Participants decide what to talk about and how much time to spend.
2. Teachers learn best from one another; the collective expert is best.
3. Everything is positive and productive (No griping! No whining!).
4. The experience is offered at the same low, all-inclusive price as last year.

Here's the link for more information, including directions and a registration form with deadlines and costs.

TCCTA Events Take Shape

In the coming weeks, two great opportunities for outstanding professional development deserve your attention.

The first is the Great Teaching Round-Up, on May 21-24. This year's Round-Up will be held at the YO Ranch Resort in Kerrville. Many colleges recognize and reward their distinguished faculty by sponsoring their participation in the Round-Up. Likewise, faculty senates have used a portion of their budgets to honor a deserving colleague. Modeled after the seminars by Gottshall and Garrison, this particular event always receives outstanding reviews from participants. The sessions are designed and led by faculty, for faculty. Teachers invariably return rejuvenated and rededicated to their chosen profession. Here's more information and a registration form.

On July 15-17, TCCTA will sponsor the Leading from the Middle conference at the Sugar Land Marriott Town Square. This event is designed for those in administrative positions and faculty who may aspire to such posts. Program details will be posted soon, but always include practical sessions by noted experts on the "nuts and bolts" of how community colleges operate and how state higher education policy is formulated. Here's a registration form.

Please join us!

Come to the Great Teaching Round Up!

The Great Teaching Round Up, founded by Don Bass at College of the Mainland in 1982, is scheduled for May 21-24, 2012, at the YO Ranch Resort in Kerrville, Texas.

The Round Up differs from most conferences in that, for the most part, the program is created by the participants themselves. The staff’s major role is facilitation. The format varies but often includes: teaching clinics, panels, organized discussions, “hands on” workshops, and presentations by participants or Round Up staff. It also features choices among activities. The exchange takes place not only in scheduled sessions but also informally around the pool, in conversations at dinner, or on excursions around Kerrville.

“The interaction and learning that occurs at these retreats offers faculty a meaningful respite from the ongoing demands of academic work, as well as a rich mine of ideas and inspiration," says Terry Stewart Mouchayleh, Tarrant County College.

Here's a link for details and registration information.

 

Developmental Education Scholarships Offered

McGraw-Hill is joining with the Kellogg Institute to provide an opportunity for two developmental educators to attend the 2012 Summer Institute (June 30-July 27, 2012) in Boone, NC. 

The first scholarship will be awarded to an adjunct instructor who has "demonstrated a commitment to the scholarship and best practices of developmental education," according to the announcement. Applicants will need to complete the accompanying forms and a 1-3 three page letter describing how receiving the scholarship and attending the Kellogg Institute will improve the quality of developmental education practice on his or her campus.

The second scholarship will be awarded to a full time faculty member who "has demonstrated leadership through successful participation in institution, state, or national committees, projects, or other activities advancing the field of developmental education or learning assistance." Preference will be given to the applicant who has made use of technology for the purposes of diagnosis, assessment (of students or program), remediation, or addressing other student services needs (i.e., early alert, advising, tutoring).

The application deadline is January 17, 2012.

Applicants will be screened by a selection committee composed of the director and assistant directors of the National Center for Developmental Education, director of the Kellogg Institute, and the executive director of developmental education from McGraw-Hill. All applications will be acknowledged and the winners will be announced on February 1, 2102.

Here's the official announcement for details.

Applications for the McGraw-Hill/Kellogg Developmental Educator Scholarship are available through the National Center for Developmental Education at http://www.ncde.appstate.edu/kellogg. Awards will be presented at the National Association for Developmental Education (NADE) 2012 conference in February in Orlando, Fla.

NEH Summer Programs Announced

Community college faculty members are encouraged to apply for the 2012 Summer Seminars and Institutes sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Each year the NEH’s Division of Education Programs offers teachers opportunities to study a variety of humanities topics in Summer Seminars and Institutes. NEH Summer Scholars are awarded fixed stipends to help cover travel costs, books and other research expenses, and living expenses. Stipend amounts are based on the length of the NEH Summer Seminar or Institute: $2,100 (2 weeks), $2,700 (3 weeks), $3,300 (4 weeks), or $3,900 (5 weeks).

You may request information about as many projects as you like, but you may apply to no more than two NEH Summer Programs (seminars, institutes, or Landmarks Workshops) and you may attend only one.

Application Deadline: March 1, 2012

Here's the link for more information.

Fall Conference Program Now Complete

TCCTA has a reputation for low-cost, high-quality professional development programs. The annual Fall Conference for Faculty Leaders certainly fits this model. Designed for teachers, the meeting is open to all community and technical college educators wishing to learn the latest strategies for campus leadership.

The event is scheduled for October 7-8, at the beautiful Omni Southpark Hotel in Austin. A link is provided below with details and registration information.

This conference represents the first chance to hear from TCCTA lobbyist Beaman Floyd in person about the recent—and historic—Regular Session of the Texas Legislature. In addition, faculty panels and speakers will discuss their all-important role in student success, faculty senate "best practices," and college governance. Finally, TCCTA attorney Frank Hill will update the group on the latest legal developments affecting two-year college teachers.

The conference is also a wonderful opportunity to compare notes and converse with professional colleagues from all over the state, representing large colleges and small. Attendees always return home with valuable information to share with peers on campus.

Here's a link with the full program, registration, costs, and hotel information. Join us!

A Message from the TCCTA President

The following is a back-to-school message from TCCTA President Annie J. Benifield, Lone Star College–Tomball.

Welcome!

I am honored to serve as your president for the coming year. Although the fall semester is just getting started, rest assured that your TCCTA leadership is working hard to make 2011-12 successful for you and your colleagues.

If you have not already done so, please join TCCTA. Participation in our association has been extremely rewarding for me over the years, and I know it will be for you, too. 

You can learn about the tangible benefits of joining from our Web site or from the printed material provided by your campus representative. I guarantee that you will not find a better bargain anywhere on membership dues and professional liability insurance.

You can join TCCTA or renew your membership securely online here. I also highly recommend the optional liability insurance coverage, no matter what or where you teach. Many community and technical college educators find it indispensable to their security and peace of mind in these contentious times.

But joining is just the beginning. In order to fully appreciate TCCTA, I urge you to attend our conferences. First up is the 32nd Annual Fall Conference for Faculty Leaders, to be held on October 7-8, at the beautiful Omni Southpark Hotel in Austin. Please read all about it here and please consult this site for details and updates. Those who attend this meeting always return to campus with a wealth of information to share with colleagues.

And make plans now to attend our annual convention, on March 1-3, at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in Frisco. Whatever your teaching field or area of expertise, you’ll find plenty of amazing opportunities for professional development. The meeting also features an outstanding exhibit area, with displays from all the major publishers and technology companies. I might also add that the conference is great fun, and provides you with a chance to mix and mingle with your peers across the entire state, from large colleges and small.

Obviously, we have just completed a tumultuous Regular Session of the Texas Legislature. But we must not get discouraged. TCCTA provides a host of ways to participate in the legislative process, beginning with an array of opportunities to stay informed on vital issues. TCCTA is always front and center, providing vital and timely information. Your membership dues this year include a subscription to the Blog, updated daily, covering all issues of concern to community and technical college educators.

In the coming months, there will be important matters arising in legislative interim committees, and from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. One of our most important resources is our outstanding lobbyist, Beaman Floyd. I hope you’ll pay attention to his regular columns and get a chance to hear him speak at our conferences.

Since community and technical colleges are the foundation for success in Texas, please join us in our effort to move the state forward.

Obviously we have many challenges to face as educators. But I believe that, for each challenge, there is an opportunity for growth and progress. In order for this to happen, however, we must be united as a profession.

Please don’t hesitate to contact any of our officers or the state office in Austin if we can be of any assistance.

TCCTA is there for you. Join us!

Doctorates Offered in Developmental Education

One of the criticisms of developmental education entails "profiling" of instructors. Reportedly there are too many adjuncts and too many untrained teachers in the field. Some say that college instructors would rather not teach DE if given a choice. To the degree such an attitude occurs, it probably has more to do with academic training than any other factor. 

A commonly described scenario involves English and math teachers who want to teach in their disciplines at the highest level possible. Those trained in literature want to teach literature. Mathematicians want to teach courses above algebra. These are their chosen fields after all. Perfectly natural.

However, such a situation could become problematic at community colleges, where DE, based on enrollments, is the meat and potatoes of the school's mission. Compare DE totals with those of calculus and American or British literature courses. It's not even close at most colleges.

Commentators have pointed out that there aren't many doctoral programs to train talented individuals who are enthusiastic to make a career in developmental education. Graduate programs are out there, but not nearly enough, especially at the doctoral level.

Regardless of the impending changes in the field (and there will likely be plenty), DE is here to stay. Additional doctoral programs could lead the way in research as well. Too often we rely upon anecdotes when solid empirical data is now demanded by policy makers. There will always be room to disagree on methodology and results, but the more valid research the better in terms of what pedagogy works best.

Texas State University at San Marcos recently received approval for two doctoral programs in DE from the Coordinating Board. You can read all about it from the online publication, San Marcos Local News.

Mark Your Calendars for Events

Two forthcoming TCCTA events deserve plenty of advance planning and preparation. While the precise agendas are currently being formulated by the state office staff and association volunteers, the basic outlines are worthy of note—and anticipation.

Fall Conference 2011
October 7-8, 2011
Omni Southpark Hotel
Austin, TX

This conference provides participants with essential information on legal, legislative, and leadership issues for community college educators. Designed especially for faculty organization leaders, this event is open to anyone interested in the important role teachers play at Texas two-year colleges.

The Omni Southpark is a lovely European-style hotel just moments away from the heart of downtown Austin.

The TCCTA Group Rate is $104/single and $124/double. You can reserve a room by phone, 1-888-444-6664; in Austin, 512-448-2222. Here's a link for updates and more information.

 

65th Annual TCCTA Convention
March 1-3, 2012

Convention headquarters is the Embassy Suites Dallas-Frisco Hotel, Convention Center, and Spa. Just North of Dallas, and convenient to Love Field and DFW airports, the convention site attracts national conferences and is a perfect fit for the TCCTA convention.

You will find an abundance of free parking, reasonable prices, and wonderful shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities nearby.

All official TCCTA meetings will be held at the headquarters venue. So never mind uncertain weather: Unless you wish, you’ll never have to go outside!

Area Restaurants:

Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Texas Land and Cattle
Blue Mesa Grill
Buca di Beppo
Dave and Busters
La Hacienda Ranch
III Forks
Randy's Steak House

Shopping and Entertainment Sites Nearby:

Stonebriar Mall
Allen Premium Outlets
The Shops at Willow Bend
Historic Downtown McKinney
Texas Sculpture Garden
Dr. Pepper Ballpark
Dr. Pepper StarCenter
Plantation Golf Club

Here's a link for updates and hotel information. Join us!

July 1 is Deadline for TCCTA Event

There is still time to register for the Leading from the Middle Conference, which will be held July 17-19, at the Omni Southpark Hotel in Austin.

The event is designed for mid-level administrators at Texas two-year colleges. It is a kind of "boot camp" for deans, division chairs, IT directors, student services directors, or others who may aspire to such positions, as an impressive list of presenters provide key information and insights to help participants succeed professionally.

The conference addresses legal issues, educational technology, legislative and budget orientation, leadership skills, ethics, and other areas that directly affect performance.

Here's a link with more information.