Flex Week Spring 2024

MON, JAN 8
10 am - 11 am

Zoom

Your Retirement Plan at Work

Learn the differences between 403(b)s and 457(b)s, 2024 contribution limits, different investment options and how they work, rules and restrictions of the plans and process for enrolling.

Session Outcomes

• Gain a better grasp on how much they need to start saving for retirement based on multiple factors including age, tenure and cost of living.
• Learn the different investment risks and know how these risks will affect their long-term goals.
• Learn how each retirement benefit works together with the others to provide a comprehensive path to retirement.

Jeff Isley
Retirement Services
VALIC Financial Advisors
Corebridge Financial

TUES, JAN 9
10:30 am – 12 pm

AC240

Cultivating Compassion Through Nature

Scientific studies show that nature plays an important role in enhancing our creativity, compassion and joy. In this Half-day workshop, we will explore how the ABCs (Awareness, Belonging and Caring) have a positive impact in reducing stress, anxiety and lifting our spirits.  As a participant you will experience ways of slowing down and relaxing through guided meditations and engage in activities that stimulate your awareness, belonging, caring. You will practice being in the present moment and reducing your stress level by using your five senses in nature.

Note: Bring a water bottle, warm clothing/layers as needed per weather conditions.  Bring a box/bag lunch if you wish to stay after the workshop and eat with the other participants. 

Session Outcomes

• Explore the role of the ABC’s (Awareness, Belonging and Caring) in increasing their well-being.
• Use their five senses to become more keenly aware of the present moment.
• Have a better understanding of the role of nature in reducing stress and promoting happiness, creativity, and compassion. 

Andrés Edwards
Certified Forest Therapy Guide 

TUES, JAN 9
1 pm – 2:30 pm

Zoom

Find the Fun in Public Speaking

Public speaking is scary and difficult for many people! It can feel like something we “have to do” for work. But what if we reframed it as we “get the opportunity” to share our story/message/presentation about our services and products with others? 

How much better would our presentations be if we enjoyed giving them instead of dreading them?  Finding the fun in public speaking is easier said than done, but with enough practice and shifting our mindset, we can make public speaking enjoyable for ourselves, which will also make it more enjoyable for our audiences.

Please note: This is a highly interactive workshop, meaning no multi-tasking allowed. Participants will be asked to turn their audio and video on in order to participate in the activities. Everyone will have a chance and be asked to contribute. However, participants always have the option to just watch and listen if requested. 

Session Outcomes

• Participants will gain tools to add to their speaker’s toolbox.
• Participants will get an opportunity to speak in front of a group and share a message they care about.
• Participants will leave with more confidence and excitement about public speaking. 

Dayna Gowan
Keenan Health and Wellness Manager

WED, JAN 10
10 am - 11 am

Zoom

2024 Healthy Eating Cooking Demo

In this session, there will be a demonstration of cooking Root Veggie Chicken Chili.

These cooler nights are calling for a warm bowl of stew, and this Root Veggie Chicken Chili will become a new favorite. Packed with carrots, parsnips, onions, celery, and cauliflower, it’s rich in fiber, carotenoids, and immune-boosting phytonutrients. Leftover chicken is used to make it simpler, but you could also quickly brown the same amount of ground chicken to use instead. With this recipe, you get a balanced meal high in protein with the right kinds of fats and carbs for optimal health.

Session Outcomes

• Participants will learn to cook a simple, healthy recipe.

Alisha Auringer

WED, JAN 10
1 pm – 2 pm

AC 240

Your Retirement Plan at Work

Learn the differences between 403(b)s and 457(b)s, 2024 contribution limits, different investment options and how they work, rules and restrictions of the plans and process for enrolling.

Session Outcomes

• Gain a better grasp on how much they need to start saving for retirement based on multiple factors including age, tenure and cost of living.
• Learn the different investment risks and know how these risks will affect their long-term goals.
• Learn how each retirement benefit works together with the others to provide a comprehensive path to retirement.

Jeff Isley
Retirement Services
VALIC Financial Advisors
Corebridge Financial

THURS, JAN 11
10 am – 11:30 am

Zoom

Storytelling for Success Workshop

Storytelling is an art, and like every other art form, great storytelling takes practice! It can be especially hard to tell effective and efficient stories at busy places, like conferences, dinner parties and other networking events.  Attendees will participate in improvisation exercises that will help them think of stories quicker and tell stories that keep their audience’s attention. Participants will be challenged to deliver a monologue/story without any prep time.

Please note: This is a highly interactive workshop, meaning no multi-tasking allowed. Participants will be asked to turn their audio and video on in order to participate in the activities. Everyone will have a chance and be asked to contribute. However, participants always have the option to just watch and listen if requested. 

Session Outcomes

• Think quickly and pull personal stories on the spot using an improvisation technique called A to C.
• Learn how to tell an efficient and effective story using specificity and emotional details.
• Practice their new skills by delivering a 1-2 minute story at the end of the session in front of the group with no preparation time.
• Gain confidence in the art of storytelling and use this confidence at work and in their personal lives. 

Dayna Gowan
Health and Wellness Manager

THURS, JAN 11
1 pm – 2:30 pm

Zoom

CalSTRS: My Retirement Benefits

This workshop will give you in-depth information about your CalSTRS benefits, the difference between earned and purchased service credit, and ways to bridge the gap between your CalSTRS benefit and your retirement income goal. 

Session Outcomes

• Learn how your Retirement Benefit Formula and how your CalSTRS monthly retirement benefit is calculated
• Learn about replacement ratios and the general structure of the retirement system
• Learn how to increase your monthly benefit
• Learn about the Windfall Elimination Provision

CalSTRS Representative

FRI, JAN 12
10 am – 11 am

Zoom

Beginning Movement and Flexibility Workout from the UK!

In this class, you will learn how to integrate the foundations of movement, mobility - with a touch of strength. You will learn the importance of all these things and why it’s extremely important to look after your mind and body!  Here you can explore, learn, even challenge yourself a little.  You will learn how to build strength and balance by creating a solid foundation that is rooted in good alignment and body awareness. This will help you understand the importance of ensuring that you take that time for yourself, each and every day — building good habits to support your physical and mental health.

Workshop Requirements: Yoga Mat and/or sturdy chair. If you have any light weights and bands, they may be useful. Quiet area: private office, conference room, home environment, etc.

Session Outcomes

• Learn the fundamentals and importance of movement and mobility
• Learn how to integrate movement whether this be strength of flexibility easily into their day with minimal to no equipment
• Come away with more knowledge and will have the opportunity to ask questions and ask for advice. 

Charlotte Dolman
Personal Trainer

9 am – 10:20 am

AC 240

Compassion Fatigue: Taking a Systemic Approach to Mental Health & Our Work with Students 

Learn about the impact of systems on mental health and our work with students, broaden mental health across our campus community, and discuss compassion fatigue and ways to support ourselves and one another. 

Session Outcomes

• Learn about the impact of systems on mental health and our work with students
• Broaden mental health across our campus community
• Discuss compassion fatigue and ways to support ourselves and one another. 

Danila Musante

Aneissa Rosas-Sanchez 

9 am – 10:50 am

Zoom

Educational Technology to Support Equitable and Inclusive Teaching

9 am – 9:20 am: Overview
This brief meeting will introduce the Ed Tech flex sessions taking place throughout the day. We will discuss the pedagogical framework for ed tech “equity” and the importance of using the available educational technology tools at COM to provide equitable and inclusive classrooms in both online and in-person modalities.

Session Outcomes

• Assess the accessibility of Canvas pages using PopeTech. 
• Assess the accessibility of documents using Ally. 
• Create a Canvas page using CidiLabs Course Design Tool. 
• Discuss the benefits of using Canvas Pages over PDFs and Word documents. 

9:20 am – 10:20 am: Video Platforms and Captioning
In this session, we will explore how to make your videos more accessible to students -- whether you are teaching in-person or online -- by integrating videos into Canvas pages. Some of the tools we will explore include YouTube, Canvas Studio, PlayPosit, and Zoom.  

Session Outcomes

• Evaluate available video platforms for creating, hosting, and migrating videos into Canvas.  
• Identify accurately captioned videos.   
• Explain how to request captioning through the DECT Grant. 

10:20 am – 10:50 am: Leveraging Pronto (Canvas) for Increased Classroom Communication 
Learn how to increase student engagement and communication using Pronto, a chat tool integrated right into Canvas. Pronto makes it easy to communicate with your students, allows students to communicate and collaborate with each other, builds community, and satisfies RSI requirements while creating a safe, inclusive, and equitable community for us all. 

Session Outcomes

• Enable Pronto for your courses
• Implement steps to begin using Pronto in your classes
• Learn tips for presenting this tool to students.  

Stacey Lince

Elle dimopoulos

Sydney Duston

11 am – 11:50 am

Zoom

The Tools for Designing Inclusive Materials

In this session we will explore tools that are integrated into Canvas that will assist you in creating more inclusive digital course materials including: using PopeTech for Canvas Pages, Anthology Ally to provide alternative formats to PDF, and Cidilabs course design tool for Canvas pages.

Session Outcomes

• Assess the accessibility of Canvas pages using PopeTech
• Assess the accessibility of documents using Ally
• Create a Canvas page using CidiLabs Course Design Tool
• Discuss the benefits of using Canvas Pages over PDFs and Word documents

Stacey Lince

10 am – 1 pm

AC 103

New Faculty Orientation

Are you new or new-ish to teaching at COM? If so, welcome! We’re glad to have you as part of our faculty. We want to give you the support and information you need to be successful, so please join us for this orientation session. You will meet other new faculty and learn important information about COM policies and procedures to help ensure that you are ready for the first day of classes and beyond.

Session Outcomes

• Gain key information about College policies and procedures
• Learn about resources and support services
• Meet new colleagues. 

Cari Torres-Benavides

Cara Kreit

Stacey Lince 

10:30 am – 11:50 am

Black/African American: AC 246

White Antiracist: AC 240

Non-Black People of Color: AC 241 

COM's Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Action (IDEA) Committee Presents:
Community in Practice: Reflecting on Race and Engaging in Anti-Racism 

Following the model of College of Marin’s monthly Community in Practice, we will convene in our affinity groups to strengthen our diverse community as we reflect, engage, and strategize on how to deepen our equity practices and solidarity in the classroom, our departments, on campus, and in our greater community. This FLEX session brings COM faculty and staff together to support and engage in collective learning that centers anti-racist practices rooted in Black healing and solidarity. Learn more about Affinity Spaces for anti-racist learning. We encourage you to attend the group you feel most connected to:  

• Black & African American Affinity Space – AC 246
• White Antiracist Affinity Space – AC 240
• Non-Black People of Color Affinity Space – AC 241

Session Outcomes

• Cultivate community affinity spaces
• Discuss the purpose of Communities in Practice and how they support equity and anti-racism

Teresa Perales

Colleen Mihal

Craig Coss

Sadika Sulaiman Hara

Hugo Guillen

Yashica Crawford 

12 pm – 12:50 pm

AC 240

Embedded Tutor: Your Students’ Best Academic Friend in the Classroom and Beyond

Come to talk to us about how the use of embedded tutoring can increase your students’ engagement in the classroom and outside of class during their study sessions.  Learn how embedded tutors can help to meet the diverse needs of students and improve their final grade by at least one letter grade. 

Session Outcomes

• Understand how embedded tutoring is able to help your students to be more successful in their courses
• Learn about the best and most effective practices of using embedded tutors in the classroom and outside of class time
• Connect students to tutoring support services. 

Oksana Pensabene

Tonya Hersch 

1 pm – 2:20 pm

AC 245
Zoom

Balancing Boundaries with Restorative Practices in the Classroom

Learn about the resources and tools COM Care offers to help you with classroom management.  You will learn how to effectively use the COM Care intervention system, explore how to manage challenging classroom situations through case studies, and understand expectations and resources to support students with various experiences. 

Session Outcomes

• Effectively use the COM Care intervention system
• Utilize tools to manage challenging classroom situations through case studies
• Identify expectations and resources to support students with various experiences. 

Marco Cantua-Alvarez

Sadika Sulaiman Hara

Stormy Miller Sabia 

2:30 pm – 4 pm

KTD Tennis Courts

Pickleball is FUN! 

Join the Kinesiology faculty for an afternoon of fun learning how to play pickleball, where we'll explore the dynamic intersection of teamwork, fun, and wellness. Participants will delve into the unique aspects of pickleball, a rapidly growing sport, learning how its inclusive nature fosters collaboration and communication.  Prerequisite: Ability to laugh and have fun.

Session Outcomes

• Recognize the value of incorporating physical activity to enhance networking and relationship building for faculty and staff
• Demonstrate how the physical activity involved in playing pickleball promotes wellness, offering an enjoyable alternative to traditional fitness routines and encouraging a more active and balanced lifestyle. 

Kathleen Smyth

LyRyan Russell  

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Zoom

Defining Collaboration in the Age of AI

Even before advancements in AI, students and faculty were probably already speaking two different languages in terms of what is considered good collaboration versus inappropriate sharing of work product.  Enter AI, a ‘non-participant’ ready and willing to answer any question asked.  It is no wonder students are confused about what may be allowable collaboration in one class but strictly forbidden in another.  When does collaboration become a challenge to equity?  What kind of collaboration promotes learning without undermining evaluation of learning outcomes?  What role should AI play in collaboration at COM and how do we begin to set expectations about its role in collaboration?   Come help contribute to a discussion focused on questions around what kind of AI collaboration is acceptable and when.

Session Outcomes

• Identify acceptable collaboration vs collaboration that begins to undermine evaluative assessments
• Contribute and share in a discussion about the role of AI and its ability to neutralize inequity as it relates to access to collaboration
• Contribute to an updated and more unified view of collaboration levels that have the potential to form a new rubric that can be shared across all of COM.

Jeff Yates

10 am – 10:50 am

Zoom

Understanding EOPS and the Special Population Programs

Our suite of programs -- EOPS, CARE, NextUp, CalWORKs, Undocumented Student Services, Rising Scholars and the Juvenile Justice Program -- serve students who are low-income, first generation, single parents, current or former foster youth, undocumented, formerly incarcerated and/or justice involved, and youth in the juvenile justice system in Marin County.  Join our interactive presentation to learn about the complex needs of the diverse students we serve, as well as the wrap-around support services we provide to help them succeed. 

Session Outcomes

• Understand the diverse needs of the students we serve
• Gain knowledge of the services the EOPS programs provide. 

Becky Reetz

Allyson Martinez

Chanel Brock

Hugo Guillen 

11 am – 12:50 am

SMN 106

Kindness Rocks

Learn about the benefits of rock painting while painting your own.  Explore the relaxing, stress-reducing pleasure of rock painting in a hands-on workshop.  Participants will learn some of the history and benefits of the Kindness Rocks movement. There is science-based information about how our well-being is boosted through creative endeavors. There will be a brief demo, some rock-painting tips and time to try out paint markers and chalk pencils on rocks in an unhurried and supportive environment. All supplies are provided, and the rocks will be sealed after the workshop so they can be enjoyed at home, gifted, or placed around campus (or your neighborhood) to spark joy in those who find them. After the hectic pace of the holidays and before the start of a new semester, distract your mind with positive messages and colorful designs. Kindness rocks!

Register in advance in ProLearning to ensure a spot. 36 person maximum for the session. 

Session Outcomes

• Leave the workshop feeling relaxed and rejuvenated
• Collaborate with others sharing creative phrases and images
• Connect with others who you may not work with and strengthen existing relationships
• Anticipate the pleasure of someone finding a rock you created and benefiting from it

Dianne O'Donnelley

Dorian Carlisle

2 pm – 3:30 pm 

AC 240

Education, Not Incarceration: Rising Scholars on Campus and Juvenile Justice Partnership

Come join the Rising Scholar students, staff, and faculty as they describe the program, what it is like to be formerly incarcerated at COM, and learn how you can support students in juvenile hall. This 5-year pilot program will include visits from faculty inside juvenile hall as a means to expose hall students to various degrees and career pathways. Come see how you can bring your perspective into a space where it is desperately needed.

Session Outcomes

• Identify ways to increase equity for currently and formerly incarcerated students. Implement community-based outreach inside juvenile hall
• Connect currently and formerly incarcerated students to new ideas and pathways 

Susan Rahman

Chanel Brock-Montalbano  

Adam Paoli

Karina Ochoa

Josh Compton

3 pm – 4 pm 

Zoom

Fostering Student Success: Supporting Basic Needs

With approximately a third to half of community college students facing challenges with accessing food and/or housing, the classroom and spaces on campus can be a refuge from the everyday challenges of life.  Faculty and staff play an integral role in cultivating this safer space for students to ask for help. In this session, participants will gain tools to support delicate situations and learn about resources to refer students who are experiencing financial difficulty, limited access to healthy food, mental health concerns, relationship concerns, and more. 

Session Outcomes

• Define basic needs.

• Identify community resources to offer students facing basic needs concerns and identify on-campus resources.

Lia Lara

Sadika Sulaiman Hara

Partnership Representatives 

8 am — 8:45 am

Jonas Center

Meet and Greet – Coffee, tea, and light refreshments

9 am – 11 am

Jonas Center

Convocation

Join your friends and colleagues as we prepare for the new year and hear important updates and information about the College.

Jonathan Eldridge
Superintendent/President

12 pm — 1:30 pm

Jonas Center

UPM Meeting and Lunch

UPM members are encouraged to attend this meeting to hear the latest on UPM activities. Lunch provided.

Patrick Kelly

1:30 pm — 3:30 pm

Various Locations

Academic Department Meetings

Join your academic department meeting for updates and planning information. Check your ProLearning Workshop Calendar for room locations.

9 am — 10:20 am

Zoom

UndocuAlly Training: Supporting Undocumented Students 

This presentation will provide participants with knowledge, tools, and resources to support undocumented students at COM. We will cover common terms, state and federal laws affecting undocumented students, resources available on and off-campus, and share best practices.

Session Outcomes

• Identify state and federal laws that impact undocumented students. 
• Learn mindful ways of connecting with undocumented students. 
• Connect undocumented students to resources on and off campus. 

Hugo Guillen

10:30 am – 11:20 am 

Zoom 

Demystifying the New Student Process for Faculty and Staff 

Have you ever been asked how a student enrolls at College of Marin? In this session, the Welcome Center will demystify the new student process for you!  We will provide a step-by-step overview of the COM application, admission, and enrollment processes. You will get a glimpse of the new student’s experience, including the challenges, and leave with a better understanding of how a person gets started as a student at COM. 

Session Outcomes

• Describe the application and enrollment steps for a new COM student.  
• Identify challenges a student may face in getting started as a new COM student.  
• Direct a potential student to the COM application web page to get started. Connect students to the Welcome Center who need assistance. 
• Learn where new student resources are, how to access them, and where to direct students for help. 

Sally Wong  

Patrick Garretson 

10:30 am – 11:20 am

Zoom

Using SLO Reporting to Identify Equity Gaps

This workshop will cover how Student Learning Outcomes are measured and reported in eLumen, why we assess SLOs and how data from outcomes can lead to innovative teaching.  We will discuss how the assessment of our learning outcomes and mapping of learning outcomes can provide us with information on disproportionate impact on student subpopulations.   

Session Outcomes

• Describe what makes a good student learning outcome
• Identify how CLSOs, PSLOs and ISLOs are mapped
• Describe how assessing outcomes can help faculty identify areas in learning where student subpopulations are not meeting success rates

Logan Wood

SLOAC

11:30 am – 12:30 pm 

Zoom 

Microsoft O365 OneDrive for Data Storage 

With the increased use of mobile devices and remote working, on-premises server-based file storage has shown limitations. The College is gradually deploying the Microsoft O365 OneDrive for Data Storage. Please join us to learn more about how this cloud-based storage approach can help office productivity. 

Session Outcomes

• Learn about Microsoft O365 OneDrive basics
• Understand how files are synch across multiple platforms
• Understand how to share documents
• Discuss options available for shared folders
• Discuss IT proposed data migration plans

Presentation Link

OneDrive Videos

What is OneDrive?

Get Started with OneDrive at Work

Manage your files

Upload Files and Folders

Create a file in OneDrive

Delete and restore deleted files

Delete files in the cloud

Turn on OneDrive Backup

Restore your OneDrive

Share and sync

Share files and folders

Sync OneDrive files and folders

Manage disk space with Storage Sense

Sync files with OneDrive Files on Demand

Further training links:

Keep Your Files Protected

Patrick Ekoue-totou  

Matthew Howard 

11:30 am – 12:30 pm 

Zoom 

Mandatory Revision in eLumen 

This workshop will provide step-by-step instructions about how to complete mandatory revision in eLumen for faculty who need a refresher or are new to eLumen.  We will also review criteria for revisions that require a presentation to the Curriculum Committee when there are substantive changes to a course outline of record. 

Session Outcomes

• Refresh your knowledge of or learn to use eLumen
• Understand when changes require presentations to the Curriculum Committee

Gina Cullen

Cari Torres-Benavides

Grace Mengqi Yuan

1 pm – 2:20 pm 

PA 32 

Engage Your Students Through Performing Arts 

Involvement in the performing arts has been shown to increase empathy toward others, strengthen literary skills, and create a sense of community, wellness and belonging. Drama faculty members will lead an interactive workshop on the benefits of incorporating performing arts into any curriculum. Join us for improv games, a tour of the Drama theatres and facilities, and group brainstorming on how to incorporate attending performances on campus into your students' coursework. 

Session Outcomes

• Construct a lesson plan that incorporates viewing a live performance on campus and connects it to your discipline’s curriculum
• Recognize the Equity in Action benefits of student involvement in the performing arts
• Identify opportunities for students and staff to connect with and celebrate community by attending performing arts on campus

Erin McBride Africa

Molly Noble 

Paul Killam 

Pamela Johnson

2:30 pm – 4:30 pm

FA 214

Learning to See Drawing Exercise

This workshop is a hands-on activity encouraging participants to trust the relationship between looking and drawing. This process reveals the universal relationship between visual skills and the application to other subjects. No prior experience with drawing or charcoal is necessary. Some mess will be created. Note:  Don't wear clothes that shouldn't get dirty. 

Session Outcomes

• This process encourages process orientation and trusting that experience will help achieve understanding. 

Carol Lefkowitz