20 May 2010
TO: Sarah, Hisako, Homeira, Adrian, Pedro and Eric
FROM: Patti Keeling
RE: New Faculty Learning Community
It was a great pleasure working with all of you this semester. Chabot is lucky to have such a
talented group and I know you will all have a bright future in teaching. Next year, I’m taking
on the coordinator’s duties once again but, this time, I’ll have my group all year. I was hoping
you would take a few moments to help me out as I plan next year’s program for the New
Faculty Learning Community. .
Since I wasn’t with you the first semester, please reflect on the activities you had in the fall as
part of New Faculty Learning Community.
1. What meeting/conversation/activity stands out as having the most impact on your
teaching?
The conversation about how we (our brains) learn after reading an article about it. Also,
the conversation about classroom experiences, especially what disruptive students may
do and how we may deal with them. It helped me prepare for what could happen.
2. Is there anything you wished had been introduced to you earlier in your first year of
teaching?
No. I think I was able to learn what I needed to learn as we encountered questions or
concerns and brought them up during our meetings. Sharing each other’s experiences
and insight was helpful.
3. What would you have liked to cover in more depth?
Perhaps some discussion on stress management. First semester teaching full-time is a
very challenging ordeal.
4. Anything else you’d care to contribute.
I felt everything went very well.
Now, about our time together:
1. What meeting/conversation/activity stands out for you from this semester?
Our conversation with Tom about “retention” stands out among all the valuable
meetings.
2. We had several “guests” (Carolyn Arnold, Monica Munger, Tom DeWit and the GIFTS
Contributors, to refresh your memory).
-Did you find their contribution valuable?
Yes, very much.
-Is this something I should continue next year?
Yes. All the guests were valuable resources.
- Is there anyone else you would recommend for a meeting next year?
Perhaps someone from Counseling.
3. Is there anything you would have liked covered in more depth?
Not that I can think of.
4. Did you miss “homework?”
Not as busy as I was.
5. Did you think we met often enough? Too often? Was the length of the meetings
satisfactory?
We met often enough. Perhaps the meetings can be a little shorter (about 90
minutes).
6. Any additional comments?
I enjoyed our meetings and benefited greatly from them. I appreciated everyone’s
effort making it all possible. Even on a day I felt so tired and/or hungry, I looked forward
to the meeting and left it, feeling invigorated. Thank you so much, Patti, for the insight
and anecdotal information you shared with us and all the arrangements including the
tasty snacks and drinks.
You can send this to me electronically or hard copy (in the Language Arts Office mail box,
preferably). I know you all have a gazillion things to do but, if possible, I’d like to have this by
May 27th.
Again, thanks for your participation. Your insights and ideas were inspirational to me and I
hope I contributed something that you will take with you in your teaching careers.