Faculty Speaker Series #1 (Dec 2020-Jan 2021)

The first Faculty Speaker Series topic will be presented by Aspen’s School of Education faculty expert, Dr. Casey Reason, an author of the book, Creating the Anywhere Anytime Classroom: A Blueprint for Learning Online in Grades K-12. Below are the details. Faculty can access these events by clicking the Zoom link during the scheduled time. Recordings are provided for those who cannot attend the live presentation.

Series Topic: Best Practices in Distance Learning for K-12 Educators

1. Introduction: Creating the Anywhere Anytime Classroom (12/01/2020, 9:00 am PST)

Recording- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1amEdtiiDfdCpjH5F8MbnEkcPL6t9g4sZ/view?usp=sharing

2. The Planning Process and Digitally Enhanced Learning (12/15/2020, 9:00 am PST)

Recording- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v_IJzqJ6Mp7pyxHUKcKo_PCnWjZYUO6I/view?usp=sharing

3. Delivering Engaging Learning Activities in a Digitally Enhanced Learning Environment (01/12/2021, 2:00 pm PST)

Recording- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rLejBE4JU-DCutPu31ba6NrmvSSMi2bb/view?usp=sharing

4. Assessments and Interventions in Digital Learning Spaces (01/26/2021, 2:00 pm PST)

Recording- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GnGTNsH7r28lXZexOruUVfyEm_aVJ-8l/view?usp=sharing

Background on Topic

Over the past six months, Dr. Reason has delivered dozens of training sessions to school districts all over the US in response to moving their instructional platform fully online due to COVID-19. This Faculty Speaker Series will help to provide best practice suggestions for teaching online during this crisis and beyond.

Benefits of Attending the Series

As online learning explodes from pandemic breakouts, tremendous numbers of educators, parents and students are affected. Participants in this Faculty Speaker Series will receive practical, research-based suggestions as to how to work most effectively in a digital learning environment.

Brief Bio of Faculty Member

Dr. Casey Reason is the author of eight books, a former high school principal, assistant superintendent, and has chaired over 80 dissertations. He has authored a book with the prestigious Dr. Richard DuFour and has been a speaker, trainer and consultant for almost 20 years. Casey lives in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Faculty Speaker Series #2 (February-March 2021)

The second Faculty Speaker Series topic will be presented by United States University’s College of Business & Technology faculty expert, Dan Ershadi. Below are the details.

Series Topic: Economic Impact of COVID-19

1. Economic Impact of COVID-19 in the USA (02/09/2021, 9:00 am PST).

Recording- https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/xlai9K8GhS1Y-P2q4ILZ7WOIdxOuirS0vVlERIBwkgymGZwamCeEAFKhxzbFsw91XShYrAN8juoZZDNo.-MoltPk8bZBtx05K?autoplay=true&startTime=1612889499000

2. Global Economic Impact of COVID-19 (02/23/2021, 9:00 am PST).

Recording- https://drive.google.com/file/d/10Y6fLmBQw9d6P1p81Ee9LJo1e1jQ2fci/view?usp=sharing

3. Economic Impact of COVID-19 on the financial market (03/09/2021, 9:00 am PST).

Recording- https://drive.google.com/file/d/11UteBotGePIIr0o9ZXs8qhWuHJHTeEhR/view?usp=sharing

4. What to expect after the COVID-19 Pandemic (03/23/2021, 9:00 am PST).

Recording- https://drive.google.com/file/d/16aMPMVbMYnagaNkRtX-Wrrr30OOa_DwX/view?usp=sharing

Background on Topic

The Federal Reserve decided to cut interest rates to zero and announced that it would expand its balance sheet by $700 billion, pledging to purchase $500 billion of U.S. Treasuries and $200 billion of mortgage-backed securities (MBS). The European Central Bank announced a new bond-buying program worth more than $818 billion aimed to cushion the blow in Europe. The U.S. Administration discussed a fiscal stimulus plan that could amount to as much as $2 trillion in spending. The proposed plan would include direct payments of $1,000 or more to Americans within two weeks. Supposedly $250 billion in checks could be sent at the end of April and another round of checks, bringing the total up to $500 billion, could be sent four weeks later if there’s still a national emergency.

Benefits of Attending the Series

Faculty will learn what is happening in our economy as a result of COVID-19 pandemic and what to expect in the future.

Brief Bio of Faculty Member

Dan Ershadi is originally from the beautiful city of San Diego, California. He was with a transportation company for about 20 years until taking an early retirement in 2005 to start a university career as the Director of Academic Affairs for a campus in Sacramento Valley, CA. As faculty, Dan teaches many different courses in Business Management including courses in finance, economics, operations management, project management, research and quantitative analysis both in graduate and undergraduate levels. Some of his higher ed involvement has included faculty mentorship, faculty evaluations, faculty certifications, academic quality assurance visits, faculty assessments and class visits. Dan also is the CFO of Niels Brock’s California International Business University.

Faculty Speaker Series #3 (April-May 2021)

The third Faculty Speaker Series topic will be presented by Aspen’s School of Business & Technology faculty expert, Dr. Jimmie Flores. Dr. Flores has extensive experience as a corporate trainer and consultant. He has earned the Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) credential. This endeavor required completing 100 hours of formal coaching education, including the following courses: Fundamentals, Fulfillment, Coaching, Process, and Synergy. In the pursuit of the CPCC, he also completed 100 additional hours of client coaching.

Co-Active Coaching Model- During this series, we will learn the four cornerstones of the Co-Active Coaching Model, which include: (1) People are naturally creative, resourceful, and whole; (2) Focus on the whole person; (3) Dance in this moment, and (4) Evoke transformation. Attendees will gain a better understanding of who they are and how they are actively creating a life meaning and purpose.

1. People are Naturally Creative, Resourceful, and Whole (04/06/2021, 9:30 am PST)

Recording- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yI8xv2yRTdBR9CzINfyEwzHvQtAyQ0XV/view?usp=sharing

2. Focus on the Whole Person (04/20/2021, 9:00 am PST)

Recording- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W-cp8sMs2DrONj7M5D7aL6GYFNKpLIdz/view?usp=sharing

3. Dance in this Moment (05/04/2021, 9:00 am PST)

Recording- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HofCjrm5Y0GboIeMcDxzji0JsXyLU1le/view?usp=sharing

4. Evoke Transformation (05/18/2021, 9:00 am PST)

Recording- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GZQpPZVVEkALtIxb1zjCLA2Bq4f9DMdp/view?usp=sharing

Background on Topic

Professional coaching has increased in popularity because people want more from life, such as more peace of mind, more security, and more impact in their work. The Co-Active Coaching Model is designed to create a strong alliance between the coach and the coachee. As part of this ongoing effort, the values of fulfillment, balance, and process are explored. To realize the benefits of professional coaching, it’s imperative that the four cornerstones are kept top of mind.

Benefits of Attending the Series

The attendees of this series will learn that change comes from within. The coach provides guidance, tools, and motivation for change to occur, but the coachee must be prepared to take the action. For those of you who are stuck in a career rut, these sessions provide interactive lessons to identify the leader within, allies, and saboteurs

Brief Bio of Faculty Member

Dr. Flores has held management and leadership positions in major companies including Shell Oil Company, The Prudential, and USAA. At USAA, he managed the $11.5 million budget for the IT department. He has extensive experience developing and teaching courses for organizations in the disciplines of Project Management, Human Resources, Agile Scrum, and Information Technology. Dr. Flores founded a global IT company, currently operating in the United States, India, and the Philippines. He has written several books including How to Become a Proficient Online Learner.

Faculty Speaker Series #4 (June-July 2021)

The final Faculty Speaker Series topic of the 2020-21 Academic Year will be presented by United States University’s College of Education faculty expert, Professor Khriseten Bellows, who is a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) of almost thirty years working in urban, suburban, and international schools as well as universities. As an enthusiastic writer, instructor, and mentor, her focus is the development of academic and creative writing for all levels. She has created and facilitated countless training opportunities for educators who wish to support students in becoming better writers. This Faculty Speaker Series will help to provide useful, applicable strategies and tools to implement in encouraging strong student writing skills.

Series Topic: Hacks for Writing Instruction: Tools, Techniques, and Strategies for Producing Better, More Effective Writers

1. Techniques and Strategies to Encourage Writing Improvement in Your Students (06/01/2021, 9:00 am PST)

Recording- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KB0TQTy3_5Aiq1uX3_Pl_sKHWhO18DEs/view?usp=sharing

2. How to Inspire Confidence and Better Writing in Students with Diverse Skill Levels (06/15/2021, 9:00 am PST)

Recording- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ma6OsDb9Q3UZM9ioC41LOCGsS1yoqg26/view?usp=sharing

3. Tools and Hacks for Writing Instruction During Video Conferencing (07/13/2021, 9:00 am PST)

Recording: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e2XXyCV51Frd7zwxhbSLGdZOgZRRZhoY/view

4. Developing Style and Voice in Academic Writing (07/27/2021, 9:00 am PST)

Recording: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WnqaLnyKa28RA6AlbRTIH8Nfmm2aaunU/view?usp=sharing

Background on Topic

How many of us read our students’ papers and sigh in disbelief, discouraged by the lack of writing skills? It can be very frustrating! But, there is a solution. This series is for educators who are faced with the daunting reality that too many students in college courses do not know how to write articulately and effectively. Through a comprehensive and methodical approach, each session will provide research-based, practical strategies and applications for instructors. All tools and techniques can be used immediately to develop strong writing skills in students, and in turn, help produce higher-quality papers.

Benefits of Attending the Series

Educators will learn applicable strategies and techniques for writing instruction in 21st Century higher education. Whether the course is online or in-person, the series will help fine-tune how we teach in order to create better writers (that means less agonizing for us).

Brief Bio of Faculty Member

As a veteran teacher for thirty years, Professor Bellows has a broad range of experience with diverse learners. For the last eight years, she has been a Teaching Fellow with Harvard University in American Poetry and Literature, as well as an Expert Educational Consultant for Poetry In America. She is also an instructor for English and Humanities courses at United States University. Being multi-lingual and adoring of travel, having lived in seven countries, Professor Khriseten Bellows is the CEO of an educational consulting firm that offers seminars and trainings all over the world for both public and private institutions.