The purpose of Faculty Development at Glendale Community College is to provide a variety of presentations, programs and initiatives to support the development of our faculty.  Our emphasis is on helping faculty share ideas and experiences for the advancement of themselves, their teaching and student learning.  

A few things from this summer and a sneak peak of what is coming up this Fall.

Arizona Master Teacher Seminar
The sixth Arizona Master Teacher Seminar was held May 31st through June 4th at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona. This year, Glendale Community College had eight participants (five residential and three adjuncts). The focus of the Master Teacher Seminar is sharing ideas and teaching strategies that will be promote innovation and excellence in classroom teaching.

Next year's Master Teacher Seminar dates will be announce later this Fall. Space is limited - last year there was a waiting list. More details coming soon.

    ATOMS - Acronyms Terms and Other Maricopa Stuff    
At the request of many employees, Faculty Development created and will be maintaining an Acronym look up web page. At present its content is fairly limited. You are encouraged to recommend additional acronyms (whether or not you know what they are).

Try A.T.O.M.S. out at http://www.gc.maricopa.edu/facdev/atoms/

FYRE kick off meeting
On Friday, August 14th the new first year residential faculty had their first meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to provide an initial orientation prior to the week of accountability. As the year goes on each Elements newsletter will introduce you to another

Wild FYRE
This year there will be a special version of FYRE called Wild-FYRE. The elements newsletter will announce the topics of each upcoming meeting. If you want to attend a meeting, we need to you sent an email to tim.sylvester@gcmail.maricopa.edu in order to reserve your spot.

Quakes and S.O.I.L.
This fall faculty development will be bringing back Earth Quakes. Quakes are one hour sessions where teachers who teach the same course get together and share creative teaching techniques.

Also, a new group of sessions called S.O.I.L. will be started this Fall. S.O.I.L. stands for Successful Opportunities to Improve Learning. S.O.I.L. uses a panel discussion format to share and discuss ideas on different components of teaching - classroom discussion techniques, test construction, use of small groups, incorporating active learning, effective use of PowerPoint. If you are interested in being a panelist for a specific topic, please email tim.sylvester@gcmail.maricopa.edu

Active Learning Workshop
Through MCLI, GCC will be hosting the Active Learning Workshop this fall. It will be held from 3 to 6 pm on September 24, October 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. Details and registration will be coming out soon from MCLI and GCC Faculty Development.

Faculty Development is coordinated by Tim Sylvester with the consultation and assistance of the Vice President of Academic Affairs Jean Ann Abel, the Dean of Instruction for Arts, Sciences and General Education Fernando Camou, the Dean of Instruction for Business and Technology Randy Kimmens and members of the Faculty Connection Center.

Below is a brief description of Faculty Development’s four major elements.  Please visit us at http://www.gc.maricopa.edu/facdev

AIR - Adjunct Instructor Resources
Faculty Development wants to assist Adjunct Instructors to define their craft of teaching and to be part of the entire Glendale Community College family. Adjunct Faculty are always invited and welcome to attend any workshops or seminars that are offered.
Upcoming items at GCC for Adjunct faculty include the new adjunct faculty orientations on Monday, August 17 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, or Friday, August 21 from 3 pm to 5 pm.

EARTH - Expanding and Rejuvenating Teaching Horizons
Earth Quakes and S.O.I.L. are the two major initiatives this year for Earth.

FYRE - First Year Residential Experience
All new residential Faculty are introduced throughout the school year to GCC, its culture, procedures and people. Meetings are held once per month on Friday afternoons.  An on-line forum is used for weekly discussions relating to teaching strategies, classroom issues.  Additionally, this Fall the new Faculty mentoring program (Sparks and Flames) will attempt to improve the new faculty’s first year.

WATER—Winning Application of Technology for Educational Results
This part of Faculty Development provides workshops and sharing sessions that deal with such questions as:
How do we learn new technology that we can use to deliver and manage our classes?
How do we use technology in an appropriate and effective manner?
How can we develop courses that rely on technology for delivery, interaction and student assessment?


“In a completely rational society, the best of us would be teachers and the rest of us would have to settle for something less." ~ Lee Iacocca