Weekly Newsletter: Tuesday Is News Day

CLS End-of-Semester Meeting (Recording, Slides, and Notes)

Video & Chat (Zoom)

https://austincc.zoom.us/rec/share/L_4BtQLtvDv_ORSoA-5jnsC9L4tKdueUvRv_HIPu99d0HIHnN202h8quLVMCNiqr.qN3vp-ha79Lwc7AV

Google Drive Folder

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12edBJ9sJW6-q6Tju1ZmBdrbXNi_VMbDy?usp=sharing

Slides

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1W41rFB-b215A2MLmTlSqOtk1at1CXN45g3iNVC3flYI/edit?usp=sharing

Notes

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1p9w0jbDdUl0Z1tW1gHjTj2Fuq63LC5Z5YtZkFY8HsQg/edit?usp=sharing

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Congratulations!

✨Kari Conness was honored at the Chancellor's Reception on April 30, receiving a Faculty Award for Dual Credit and ECHS professors! Congratulations Kari!✨

✨Amy Ashton Cunningham received a scholarship to attend The Smithsonian Institute's summer program in Washington DC: Teaching the Humanities Through Art.  Congratulations Amy!✨

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INRW Institute: Training and Mentorship, July 8-12

As we prepare for the Fall 2024 semester and meeting the demands of increased enrollment, INRW has created a year-long program of support that begins with foundational training and continues with mentorship throughout the first two semesters of teaching INRW 0340 paired with ENGL 1301 courses.  This will include direct mentorship with current co-requisite instructors, peer class observations in the Fall, synchronous and asynchronous meetings, and self-reflection.  

Purpose:

To ensure all INRW instructors are well versed in the best practices for INRW students at ACC.  

Timeline:

Summer: Attend week-long in-person institute (7/8–7/12)

Fall: Potentially teach first INRW 0340 and ENGL 1301 paired course/ establish mentorship and focus on reflection of teaching

Spring: Continuation of mentorship and self-reflection

General Information:

• We will be holding the INRW Institute from July 8th–12th at Highland Campus.   

• Successful completion of this training will allow instructors to be eligible to teach INRW 0340 paired with ENGL 1301.  

• With developmental students being best served via face-to-face instruction, this training will be focused on instructional activities and implementation in the FTF classroom. 

• Participation will meet your peer dialogue requirement.

• Participants will be notified no later than June 1st.

Questions:

Kendall Dingee: kdudley@austincc.edu

Q&A Session: 

May 6th, 6:00-7:00 

Zoom link: https://austincc.zoom.us/j/82576561868?pwd=enVYM0JaOFkvQnlyY3hySU1XSFFOZz09

Can't make the meeting? Feel free to drop a question on our Padlet: INRW Institute Q&A Padlet

Interest Form:

To indicate interest, please take a few minutes and complete the interest form: INRW Institute Interest Form (you will need an unofficial transcript to complete this form)

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Follow up on "School Board" Meeting

• March 19, 2024 CLS held a school-board style meeting online to allow faculty to express concerns about comments and ideas heard at the Town Hall. A summary of that meeting is available

• March 26, 2024, I reviewed those concerns with Matthew Daude and Beth Knight in advance of the Data Summit; the hope was that the Data Summit might give new perspective

• May 14, 1-2 PM, online follow up meeting with Beth Knight, Matthew Daude, Wendy Elle, Lindsay Lawley Rerecich (Curriculum/Assoc. Dean Dual Credit), Chris Berni (LAG), Ursula Parker (INRW) & Chris Gardner (Dual Credit Liaison)

• Four additional CLS faculty invited –please complete the following form if you wish to be a part of this meeting; I will review for a balance of perspectives. We cannot adjust the time of this meeting.

• I will send a summary to all of CLS when we are done.

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CLS Blackboard Shell, Review and Comment

At the CLS Tres de Mayo Meeting we got a sneak peek at the Blackboard shell that the Textbook and Technology Committee has been working hard to build.  

Stay tuned for the Blackboard demo and a feedback form! 

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Become a CLS Mentor 

At our Tres de Mayo CLS meeting, Luanne Preston mentioned our need for faculty mentors.  

Quick Details about the Mentor Role: 

Mentor requirements:  Three years teaching at ACC; "very good" or "excellent" student evaluations. Complete online ACC mentor training.

Mentor stipend:  $200 per mentee per semester; an expectation of about 10 hours of contact with mentee, including in-person meeting (if possible) and optional classroom visit.

If you are interested in mentoring a new or returning CLS faculty member in the Fall 2024/Spring 2025 semesters, then please complete this I Want to Be a Mentor form. 

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Summer ACC CLS Book Club

From Chris Gardner

Hey there reader! 

Yes, we absolutely have Book Club during the summer. What, you can't read in the heat? 

This summer, we will gather at Easy Tiger by the Highland Campus to discuss a proper novel. 

You are encouraged to sign up for our non-binding interest list to keep receiving emails or propose a text if/when you feel the urge. 

Details regarding text selection and date will be sent to all interested parties Monday 5/13.

Two Additional Reminders: 

1) We are an open group. The invites go out to CLS, but you can always bring a +1.

2) Book Club will be paired with a book swap. Bring a book or books you are willing to part with, and let's spread some stories around. 

Hope to see you there!

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Mediation and Faculty Consultation Sessions

From Jill Bosché 

Empower your teaching and well-being with our upcoming professional development sessions:

1. The Meditating Professor Series with Lupe Mendoza: Explore techniques to infuse creativity and resilience into your academic life with practical meditation strategies.

2. Faculty Consultation Groups with Emily Olson: Join discussions with peers, gain insights into student support resources, and stay informed about important ACC policies.

Don't miss out! Click here before Thursday, May 30 to check out the details and let us know when you’re free for the fall sessions. Professional development credit available.

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Follow up from Packback

From Ri Cantlin, Packback Consultant

CLS Department, thank you for your meeting time last week! It would be an honor to work with you to help you implement Packbacks AI powered discussion and writing tools in your upcoming courses!  Please do not hesitate to reach out to me, ri.cantlin@packback.co, if you'd like to learn a bit more about Packback, or if you just want to start playing around with the tools, you can add Packback directly to Blackboard by clicking on the "+" icon, selecting external tool, and then clicking on the new link within the BB sidebar. 

Stay Curious,

Ri Cantlin - You ACC Packback Curriculum Consultant"

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Last Call: Survey about Hybrid Classes Expectations 

Have you taught a hybrid classes recently?  Are you scheduled to teach one in an upcoming semester? Well, CLS wants your input! We're thinking about making a video that explains the expectations and realities of hybrid classes for students.  Our goal is to create something that faculty could share with their students at the beginning of hybrid classes.  

Please complete this quick Google Form: Hybrid Classes Expectation Video Interest Form. It's four multiple-choice questions to gauge faculty interest in 1) having that video and 2) participating in the creation of that video.

If you have any questions, contact Anja Ketcham.

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Zoom Shakespeare! May 16 

A new initiative called Broadening the Accessibility and Reading of the Drama of Shakespeare (BARDS) is hosting its first CLS cold read of a play on Thursday, May 16 (8pm-9:30pm). Join Shakespeare nerd enthusiast Amber Luttig-Buonodono and your CLS colleagues in an unrehearsed, low-stakes, encouraging voyage into Act One of A Midsummer Night's Dream, followed by subsequent acts on Thursday evenings through June 13. All experience levels, including no prior experience, are encouraged to participate. Let's break down the gates of Early Modern theatre! 

More info HERE. 

Please RSVP via this FORM so we can send you the Zoom link! 

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Please Promote: Fall '24 Honors CLS classes

Do you have curious, highly motivated students you think would do well in an Honors CLS course? Please let them know about our available Fall '24 courses! Below are the course titles, and you can take a look at the course profile page for more in-depth descriptions. 

• English Composition II: Texas Writers (ENGL 1302, 701), Joe O’Connell

• British Literature 18th c. to the Present: Gothic Literature (ENGL 2323, 700), Hyflex, RGC, MW 10:30-11:50 am, Melissa Holton 

• American Literature Civil War to Present: Sunrise in the Americas: Contemporary Indigenous Arts & Activism  (ENGL 2328, 701), Hyflex, CYP TTh 10:30-11:50 am, Heidi Juel 

• American Literature Civil War to Present: American Apocalypse: Wrecking and Rebuilding (ENGL 2328, 700), HLC, MW 1:30-2:50 pm, Anne-Marie Thomas

We also offer Honors courses in 14 other disciplines. If you have potential Honors students this semester who might be intimidated by the prospect of taking Honors courses, please give them a little nudge in our direction and encourage them to fill out an application. Alternatively, consider sharing our TLED-produced student impact video with your classes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPMmfxvpOoA.   

Please contact athomas2@austincc.edu with questions.

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Last Call: Textbook Selections for Fall 2024 (Adjuncts)

Adjuncts, once you've accepted your Fall 2024 classes in eStaffing, please use the Textbook Selection Form below. Remember we need to know if you use ZTC/OER methods as well!  The form will email you a copy of your responses. 

Here's the link to the Textbook Selection for Fall 2024 Form. 

How to use the form:

1. Type in your name.

2. List the courses/sections you're scheduled to teach (include a note about First Day Access if needed).

3. Choose texts for your scheduled courses from the dropdown options.  

   • Ignore the dropdown options for courses that you are not scheduled to teach; no response is required.  

   • If you need to review review textbook options and ISBNs, here's the CLS Textbook List.

4. Include any notes that will help us assign the correct texts.

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Support English Majors

Below find the materials put together by the Revitalizing the Major crew (explained in detail in the Tuesday, April 2 Newsday).  

The fillable form allows anyone--you, me, the student, English-major curious folk--to audit a student's transcript and help them see how close they are to becoming an English AA.  Students can take the completed audit to their advisor. (The videos explain how to access a student's transcript and fill out the form)

English Degree Audit Form

How to Access Student Transcripts - YouTube Video

The English Degree Audit Form - YouTube Video

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INRW Co-req Registration form (Summer 24)

Registration for Summer 24 started on April 1. 

Students with 0-14 credit hrs AND who require an INRW coreq can register for co-reqs on Friday April 5.

If a student contacts faculty requesting enrollment in their coreq, please provide this link: Summer 24 Coreq Registration Form

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Vertical Alignment Content Exchange, May 31

Save the date! The CLS Vertical Alignment Content Exchange will allow ACC CLS faculty and high school ELA faculty to meet, network, and share best practices.  (light refreshments: pastries, coffee and water)

When: Friday, May 31, 2024, 9am to 12pm

Where: ACC Rio Grande Campus (RGC) Room 1103 Multipurpose (atrium)

Register here: Vertical Alignment Content Exchange

Contact Beth Frye if you have any questions.