CSM Flex Day Schedule

8:30-9:20

1 flex credit hour

Breakfast Buffet & Welcome

Location: Bayview Dining Room, Building 10, Second Floor (map)

Join us for a hot buffet breakfast, a welcome from our Acting President, Richard Storti, and a fun, community-building activity!

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9:00-12:00

3 flex credit hours

Food for Thought: Connecting Food Justice and Sustainability in our Local Community through Curriculum and Collaboration (Breakfast Included)

*Limited Space; Advanced Registration Required*

Facilitators: Carla Grandy, Vice President of Instruction; Tammy Wong, Instructional Support Specialist

Location:  Meet at Collective Roots Community Garden (1785 Woodland Ave, East Palo Alto, CA 94303)

Wanting to know more about sustainability and social justice issues and how to incorporate them into your class or program? This is your opportunity to learn about food deserts and food justice, while engaging with a local community organization and getting outside! Food is something that everyone can relate to and food justice is a tangible way to connect social justice with climate and climate change. We know that climate change is a wicked problem that requires all disciplines to work together to find a solution, so please join us as we take a first step towards incorporating sustainability across the institution.

All disciplines and programs are welcome to attend. Participants will meet at Collective Roots Community Garden (1785 Woodland Avenue, East Palo Alto, CA 94303) for a light breakfast (provided). We will then engage in dialogue with community activists working to address food insecurity and access to nutritious food in their neighborhood and other food deserts in the Bay Area. The last portion of the day will be spent collectively identifying opportunities to incorporate this into existing classes or programs on campus. This will be a completely off-site activity. Bring your ideas and your creativity!

Space is limited, so register as soon as possible. Light breakfast included!

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9:30-11:00

1.5 flex credit hours

Beyond the Gender Binary: Understanding and Expanding Gender and Sexuality Diversity at CSM 

Facilitators: Dr. Raja Gopal Bhattar, Diversity, Equity & Belonging Consultant; David Galvez, Director of Equity; Susan Khan, Professional Development Faculty Coordinator

Location: Bayview Dining Room, Building 10, Second Floor (map)

Alok, our keynote speaker at August Flex Day, stirred us all with their call to move beyond the gender binary, in a year when lawmakers in 46 states have introduced more than 650 anti-LGBTQ bills especially targeting transgender and non-binary people. Join us for this session aimed to provide a larger context of LGBTQIA+ experiences in our communities while reflecting on our own gender sexual identification journeys and building intentional community within CSM. Come learn about how you can take part in assessing and establishing institutional data and resources to enhance campus climate for LGBTQIA+ communities.  

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9:30-11:00

1.5 flex credit hours

Accessible Document Conversion

Presenters: Donna Eyestone, Distance Ed Coordinator & Digital Media Faculty; Erica Reynolds, Instructional Technologist

Location: Zoom

Learn how to use the CCC Accessibility Center's Document Converter, and see how it can automatically convert files (PDFs, Word, PPT, etc) to an accessible format, including text-to-speech, accessible Word Documents, and more.  Take your PDF assignments and handouts and convert them into accessible Canvas assignments and pages.  Have your documents ready, to give it a try yourself!

Watch the video recording

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11:10-12:30

1.5 flex credit hours

Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs): How do we measure the CSM student experience?

Panelists: Natalie Alizaga, Research Inquiry & Institutional Effectiveness Manager; Guillermo Cockrum, Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Coordinator & Economics Faculty

Location: Building 10, Room 193 (map) and Zoom

Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs) are the knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes students are expected to develop as a result of their overall experiences at CSM. Although our College has outlined the six outcomes we hope students will attain upon graduation or transfer, how we are assessing ILOs in our courses, programs, and services is less than clear. How are we gauging achievement of interdisciplinary learning goals?

This interactive Flex Day session will outline different ILO assessment methods to determine what the College will use. We will summarize methods we’ve tried in the past and discuss the pros and cons of each. ILO assessment options from neighboring colleges will also be presented. Input on how you are currently assessing ILOs in your courses, programs, and services are welcomed. Come be part of the decision-making process!

Watch the video recording

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11:10-12:10

1 flex credit hour

The Power of Education

Panelists:Christy Baird, Fire Technology Faculty; Beth LaRochelle, Dental Assisting Program Director; Andrea Vizenor, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives and Economic Development

Location: Building 10, Room 195 (map) and Zoom

In this TED Talk-style presentation, three College of San Mateo educators will take center stage to share their personal stories, passions, best practices, and love for teaching that they bring to the classroom every day. Through their narratives, the speakers will unveil the transformative power of education that creates ripple effects across the communities that they serve.

Join this session to learn practical insights and strategies on how to foster pedagogical innovation in the classroom, and utilize one's passion for teaching to make a lasting impact on student's lives.

Watch the video recording.

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11:10-12:30

CalPERS for CSEA Members

Presenters: Debb Jachens, CSEA; Annette Perot, CSEA Chapter 33; Fauzi Hamadeh, CSEA Chapter 33

Location: Zoom

Learn about your retirement through CalPERS as a member of CSEA. This workshop will focus on the benefits provided by CalPERS for members of the CSEA bargaining unit and will contain information tailored to CSEA members.

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12:30-1:15

Lunch Buffet

Location: Bayview Dining Room, Building 10, Second Floor (map)

Mental Imagery: Envisioning the Arts and STEM within our own intersecting identities

Presenters: Mohsen Janatpour, Physics Faculty; Heidi Pereira, Assistant Project Director for Developing Hispanic Serving Institutions

Location: Building 10, Room 193 (map)

We have two worlds: In our outer world, we exist, interact with others, and deal with the everyday commerce of life. At the same time, we live, dream, imagine, and think in our inner world. Our mental imagery connects these worlds, and how we connect them determines the nature of our reality. Moreover, that connection is governed by the way we see the world. Seeing with both artistic and scientific eyes is a fundamental and fulfilling exercise in visualization that enriches our lives. I will draw on some concepts from my book, "Conjunctive Theory: Mental Imagery in the Arts and Sciences" (Cognella Publishing Company, 2023), and some examples to bring this idea home

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1:15-2:45

1.5 flex credit hours

English and Counseling: Working Together to Support Students

Facilitators: Jon Kitamura, English faculty; Sarah Mangin, English faculty; Kevin Sinarle, Counseling faculty

Location: Building 10, Room 194 (map)

This flex day session is a collaborative effort between English and Counseling faculty. Because, historically, English classes have been one of the barriers to student progress and degree completion, English faculty are inviting Counselors to discuss ways in which we can work as a team to support our students. The goals of this flex session are to build community between our departments, get to know each other’s respective roles, and work together to identify obstacles that impede student performance and strategize ways in which we can best support our students.

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1:15-2:45

1.5 flex credit hours

Forest Therapy Guided Walk at CSM

*Limited Space; Advanced Registration Required*

Facilitator: Tammy Wong, Instructional Support Specialist

Location: Campus walk; meet in front of CSM bookstore in Building 10 at 1:15 sharp

Seeking to feel more settled and to deepen your relationship with nature? The practice of Forest Therapy (also known as Forest Bathing or Shinrin-Yoku) encourages participants to slow down and reconnect with the natural world by awakening the senses and quieting the mind. The practice has been scientifically proven to boost immune strength, reduce stress, and improve cognitive functioning.

On this gentle 1.5 hour walk, we will move through a series of crafted invitations to assist you in finding your own authentic way of interacting with the natural environment while building community with your fellow participants. There's no right or wrong way to participate - just come and be yourself.

Wear layered, comfortable clothing and appropriate shoes for walking. There will be some periods of standing, so if it would be more comfortable for you to have a seat, please bring your own portable lightweight chair or seat pad. Please bring your own water bottle and any snacks you may need during the walk. For more information, feel free to email Tammy at wongta@smccd.edu.

Space is limited, so RSVP as soon as possible.

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1:15-2:45

1.5 flex credit hours

Creating Extraordinary College Experiences with "The Power of Moments"

Presenters: Andrea Vizenor, Executive Director Strategic Initiatives & Economic Development (SIED); Kalia Chavez, Administrative Assistant (SIED); Sione Sina, Retention Specialist, Dual Enrollment

Location: Building 10, Room 195 (map)

The purpose of this panel discussion is to explore and apply the strategies outlined in the book, The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact, and  to enhance the college experience through the delivery of high levels of service for students, prospective students, community members and colleagues.

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1:15-2:15

1 flex credit hour

Microsoft SWAY: It's Way Cool

Presenter: Jennifer Buchholz, District Professional Development Academy (PDA)

Location: Zoom

It's Way Cool: Looking to make a different impression in your online communication? SWAY might be the way. Consider a cross between Publisher, Word and PowerPoint – an interactive way to share a message, newsletter, or proposal in an online, visually appealing format. It’s part of your M365 subscription – let’s use it!  

Watch the video recording.

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3:00-4:00

1 flex credit hour

Executive Roundtable

Presenters: Richard Storti, Acting President; Carla Grandy, Vice President of Instruction; Alex Guiriba, Interim Vice President of Student Services; Andrea Vizenor, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives & Economic Development (SIED); Monique Nakagawa, Acting Dean of Planning, Research, & Institutional Effectiveness (PRIE); David Galvez, Director of Equity

Location: Building 10, Room 468 (College Heights) (map) and Zoom

Join the executive leadership team to learn about the structure of weekly meetings and operations, including how topics get to the executive team, how decisions are made, and how decisions are communicated back out to the campus. Updates will also be provided on major projects that are in the works. The session will conclude with an opportunity to ask questions.

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3:00-4:00

1 flex credit hour

AFT Stewards' Network

Facilitators: CSM AFT Reps and stewards

Location: Zoom

**This session is for SMCCCD faculty only**

Join this AFT Forum to discuss the new communications and engagement activities and learn about AFT's new stewards network. Hear from stewards and learn how you can get involved and have your department's perspectives heard.  All faculty welcome.

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3:00-4:30

1.5 flex credit hours

CalSTRS for the Part-Time Educator

Presenter: Kevin Dunn, CalSTRS

Location: Zoom

Find out about the CalSTRS benefits and services available to you as a part-time educator. Compare the two benefit programs that may be available to you and determine which program you're currently paying into. You'll learn ways to increase your retirement income, the importance of supplemental savings and considerations to keep in mind throughout your career. You're helping students build their future, don't forget about yours.

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3:00-4:30

CSEA Know your Rights (Level II)

Presenters: Dustin Patenaude, CSEA; Annette Perot, CSEA Chapter 33; Fauzi Hamadeh, CSEA Chapter 33

Location: Zoom

**This session is for Classified Employees only**

Classified employees are afforded many rights by law or through collective bargaining. Take your learning to the next level about your rights on the job and what you can do to protect yourself if your rights are violated. The emphasis of CSEA’s Know Your Rights training workshop is to assist members in detecting violations of the law and their collective bargaining agreements.

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