Celebration of Excellence:
Each May Sierra College allocates one day to celebrate the hard work and dedication of all employees by providing a barbecue and other fun events. Sponsored by the Staff Recognition Committee, this celebration takes place in the plaza, at the Rocklin campus, and also on the Nevada County Campus. All employees are encouraged to attend this fun-filled event held in their honor.
Classified Leadership Institute:
The Classified Leadership Institute is co-sponsored by the California Community College League and the California Community Colleges Classified Senate. Participants explore topics that give them skills, confidence and encouragement to be stronger leaders on their campus. All classified staff may apply to attend this conference. Applications are available during the spring semester. The Staff Development Committee oversees the selection process.
11th Annual Classified Leadership Institute
“Building Blocks for Participation”
June 18-20, 2003
Granlibakken Conference Center Tahoe City, CA
Co-sponsored by the California Community Colleges Classified Senate (4CS) and the Community College League of California (CCLC)
Classified Retreat:
The Classified Retreat is a yearly activity held either in late spring or early fall. The purpose of the retreat is to provide a forum for classified members to build teamwork, network and participate in professional growth workshops. The Classified Retreat is co-sponsored with the Classified Senate.
Convocation:
Convocation is held the Thursday before the beginning of each semester as an opening day event for all full-time staff. Part-time staff are welcome to attend. This is a contractual day for full-time faculty and all classified staff are given release time to attend.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP):
Sierra College permanent employees have access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which is delivered by MCC Signa Behavioral Health. It offers professional assessment and referral services to 1) help you identify problems and 2) make sure the right care is provided at the right time. The EAP can help with virtually any problem that threatens to upset the stability of life at home or at work.
Some of the areas in which the EAP can help include: stress, depression, difficulties with children, divorce, alcohol and/or drug abuse, family matters, peer pressure, guilt, marital problems, financial worries, and legal problems. For a confidential appointment with an EAP counselor, call 1-800-554-6931.
Flex Week:
The three days prior to fall semester and four days prior to the spring semester are designated as the official flex week for the campus. For these seven days the Staff Development Office develops various workshops divided into the following topics: Academic, Diversity, Finance, Health and Safety, Institutional, Technology, and Wellness.
All staff are encouraged to attend these workshops. The Staff and Organizational Development Guide offers workshop descriptions and other information and is sent to all staff approximately three weeks to four weeks before flex days begin.
Great Teachers Seminar:
The Great Teachers Seminar, sponsored by the California Community College League, is a high-energy summer retreat that brings teachers together from different community colleges to exchange teaching innovations and solutions to teaching problems. Specific agenda topics evolve from ongoing needs assessment as the seminar progresses. Underlying all seminar activities is the perpetual challenge to define a great teacher. The seminar is not so much an assembly of great teachers as it is a group of dedicated educators in search of the great teacher within themselves.
The seminar is held in several different locations. All faculty who wish to attend must apply for selection during the spring semester. The Staff Development Committee oversees the selection process.
Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW):
This four-day, 24-hour workshop will benefit beginning and experienced instructors as they practice skills and share ideas in a non-judgmental environment. Working with a small group of fellow instructors, each participant designs and instructs mini-lessons, which are video taped. Two facilitators guide constructive feedback in a nonjudgmental framework. With this new information the instructor decides what changes in instructional delivery are desirable. The result is a positively enhanced awareness of teaching and learning techniques/styles. It is an opportunity to share ideas about teaching and learning with others (30 hours of flex credit).
Multimedia Skills Workshop (MSW):
This is a five-day, 40-hour workshop on learning and developing multimedia skills for the improvement of instructional delivery and/or presentations. Working with a small group, participants design one multimedia mini-lesson/presentation. Facilitators guide constructive feedback in a nonjudgmental framework. Participants will leave the workshop with new skills and a finished product (40 hours of flex credit).
New Classified Orientation:
The New Classified Orientation is a ten month, once-a-month, three hour workshop. The start date for the expanded New Classified Orientation is not yet determined. The purpose of the orientation is to introduce new staff to the processes and climate of the college, and also to provide a mentor for new staff members.
The New Faculty Academy:
The New Faculty Academy is a semester length orientation program for recently hired faculty. The academy meets once a week for three hours. The purpose of the academy is to promote a supportive environment and enhance opportunities for all new full-time faculty to learn, share and apply a variety of learning strategies in their teaching or special service assignments.
Its secondary purpose is to orient the new faculty to the campus climate and provide a mentor for the entire academic year. All new faculty are reassigned from one three-unit class or given one overload of three units (lecture rate) to participate.
Sabbaticals and Release Time:
Sabbaticals and academic release time are requested through the Office of Educational Programs and Services.
SC3 Collaborative Training:
The SC3 training is held once each semester as needed. It is an intensive, 4-day, 24-hour training program in the use of the collaborative process as a tool to solve problems and provide a forum to continue the dialogue on defining roles and responsibilities related to governance and operations. This training is a contractual requirement for all new employees. New classified and management staff must train in the first year of employment, and faculty must take the training within the first two years of employment (24 hours flex credit for faculty, release time for classified).
Teaching for Success Newsletter:
The Teaching For Success Newsletter is an each eight-page newsletter contains a collection of teaching facts and tips for successful teaching strategies. It is a newsletter dedicated to the vital work of full-time faculty, part-time faculty and teaching assistants. The Staff Development web page, has the newsletter on-line located under resources. You may also receive a hard copy by contacting the Staff Development Office by telephone or e-mail.
Technology Training:
During flex week and throughout the semester, the Staff Development Office offers a Fall, Spring and Summer Technology Training in the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC). The Staff Development Office also co-sponsors with the Distance Learning Program training for developing and teaching on-line classes.
