Frequently Asked Questions

What is Faculty Connections?

Faculty led orientation, and mentorship program that provides ongoing professional development and connects faculty for an entire year.
An invitation to become (more) integrated into the teaching and learning environment at LCC.
Engagement among faculty who seek to share expertise in college systems and teaching/learning pedagogy.
A benefit, negotiated by our union.

Who is eligible? What are the roles?

Mentee - Any faculty who has joined the college (in a faculty role) within the past 5 years and not yet participated with a mentor.
Mentor - Any faculty who has been teaching at Lane more than three (3) years, is engaged with college activities, and wants to assist a new faculty member on an ongoing basis for the entire academic year. You will be expected to complete a mentor application form and attend a one hour mentor training.
Participant – Any faculty member who would like the connection and ongoing professional development.

Can I attend more than once?

Yes. New faculty can attend year 1 as a "mentee" and year 2 as a "participant". After two years attending as a new faculty, you can continue as a “participant” – without the stipend - or as a mentor assuming you have taught for at least three (3) full years.

Program Details:

Begins with a two-day seminar held prior to college Inservice. This year it will be held on September 19 & 20, 2017 from 9am - 3pm with additional offerings for new faculty until 4:30. Stipends ($300 for full two days, prorated for less) are paid for attending since we are not officially on contracted teaching time yet. Breakfast and lunch is also provided.

During the seminar, content is delivered with minimal lecture, offering examples of engaged teaching techniques and activities you can adapt for your classroom.
Learn to navigate systems at the college, and find resources for faculty and students, including FERPA, Financial aid, Center for Accessible Resources (CAR) and many more.
Understand Blooms Taxonomy and learning styles to successfully adapt our teaching and assessment to match student skills and preferences.
Create an informative syllabus that combines your philosophy and expectations with Lane’s Core Values and assessment expectations.
Explore cultural competence and how to create a safe and effective classroom environment for our diverse students.
Learn strategies to handle disruptive classroom behavior respectfully.
Build relationships with faculty across all academic disciplines.
Have fun!

The Mentorship program matches new and experienced faculty. Initial meetings take place during the two lunches at the fall seminar. Continued monthly (or more) meetings encourage questions allowing the mentor to guide new faculty through college systems and resources. Examples may include; human resource needs, contract negotiations, campus tours, attendance at college events professional development activities, the fitness center, observing each other's classes, discussing classroom issues and many more. Members of each pair determine the activities. We seek mentors who are widely involved in the college for maximum assistance to new faculty.

These meetings continue for the entire academic year. Both the mentor and mentee receive a $300 stipend since time spent together is expected to fall outside of paid time. (This stipend is in addition to the stipend for the seminar.)

Continued Engagement continues throughout the year:

Professional development roundtable offerings, with topics selected from a menu offered at the kick off. 1 per term.
Dinner in a local restaurant. 1 per term. Families are welcome at the spring dinner.
Invitations to other faculty professional development offerings.
Moodle shell is active for ongoing discussions, sharing of resources, and an opportunity to experience Moodle from the student side.

Why should I join?

Faculty who have participated in years past say it's FUN!

One faculty member noted that she has never felt so engaged as a part time faculty before and she has taught at several colleges. She says that because of Faculty Connections she has joined the fitness center, taught in a learning community, participated in Teaching Squares. She also said she has met many fine friends, improved her teaching and shared her trick with other. Now she feels extremely connected at Lane and is a steering committee member.

How do I sign up?

Please only complete this form between June 1 and September 30.

Questions?

Please contact Liz Coleman at coleman@lanecc.edu. More specific details will be sent to those who register. I hope to see you in the fall.

Sincerely,
Liz Coleman
Faculty Connections Coordinator & Tutoring Services Coordinator