Campus Connection February 2020 

Putting Best Practices to Work

According to Physical Education and Health Instructor Tanya Crawford, students in her PE Professional Activities Methods class are building a foundation of skill development and knowledge by introduction of team and/or individual sports.

In this course, students review lesson plans, analyze motor skills, learn how to break down a skill, teach a drill, and learn how to evaluate a student’s performance. In addition, students practice what they learn by conducting weekly physical education activities with students in partnership with St Peter Catholic School. Not only do TVCC students learn best practices but they can serve as mentors for these students.

The PE Professional Activities Methods class gives TVCC students valuable hands on experience for those seeking careers in education and coaching and offers a way to connect with elementary and secondary education partners.

Throwing Clay for a Cause

A couple weeks ago, President Young was invited to the Art Department to learn about and experience first-hand the techniques for glazing pottery prior to firing.  A novice to this art, President Young learned about kiln temperatures for firing clay and the chemistry behind glazing. Yes, there seems to be a chemistry behind the colors which may only be fully understood by adding this class to her bucket list.

The soup bowls being glazed that day were being donated to Rose Bowl Advocates.  It was over 20 years ago when now retired Art Instructor Robin Jackson and TVCC ceramic students began donating wheel thrown pottery soup bowls to the annual ROSE Bowl benefit luncheon. The benefit luncheon sponsored by ROSE Advocates raises money to help victims of sexual and domestic violence.

To this day, the TVCC Art Department continues to donate hundreds of bowls to this worthy cause.   Thank you to Robin Jackson and Vicki Marsh, and the many other artists who go above and beyond for our community.

TVCC Faculty Improving Excellence Through Quality Matters

Ten faculty members, across various disciplines at TVCC, are bringing their online courses up to Quality Matters standards, in order to achieve the industry recognized certification for online education.

The faculty work group called OCIT (Online Course Improvement Team) meets every two weeks to work on reviewing their course design, and aligning them to the strict and rigorous online teaching standards that have been set by Quality Matters (QM), a nationally-recognized, faculty-driven peer-review process used to ensure the quality of online and blended course design.

"These faculty members are committed to bringing excellence to their courses and ensuring that they meet the needs of the student", says Nicole Baird, TVCC's instructional designer who is heading up this effort. "It ties in with TVCC's mission statement and vision, which is to be an excellence driven institution, focused on student success, and committed to providing quality programs. One of QM's main standards also revolves around accessibility, which allows us to address the needs of the diverse student population we enjoy here at TVCC."

The courses are initially set to go through QM review in June of this year. Aligning quality education with QM standards is a Title III effort.

Special thanks to TVCC instructors Arwyn Larson, Darin Bell, Greg Borman, Joe Kurth, Nila Stephens, Sandra Porter, Suzanne Bolyard, Tanya Crawford, Tara Dominick and Ted Fink for their effort and dedication to achieve QM certification.

Advising Day for Spring & Summer Registration

Academic advising is a team activity and we are here to help students choose the right academic plan.

Spring and Summer Advising Day is set for February 20 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm in the Laura Moore Cunningham Science Center, Ontario and at the TVCC Caldwell Center in Caldwell, Room 132. As a reminder NO DAY CLASSES will be held during this time.

Come Join Us to Cheer for Chukar Basketball!

Out and About on Chukar Spirit Night!

TVCC Hosts Saturday Science 2020

Saturday Science is a fun filled day of hands on activities for boys and girls in 5-8th grades. "Marvelous Metals" will take place in the Laura Moore Cunningham Science Center located on SW 5th Avenue, Ontario, OR 97914.  The day will conclude with an explosive magic show!

This event is led by Eastern Oregon University and TVCC Chemistry faculty and students. Registrations must be complete and paid by February 28, 2020. Only 75 spots are available so get your children registered early. Visit www.eou.edu/cstmhs to register.

ACLU Presentations Slated for TVCC

A collaboration between Title III and the TVCC Social Sciences Department will bring Mr. Leo Morales, the Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Idaho, to TVCC!

This year marks the ACLU’s 100th-year anniversary! Founded in 1920, the ACLU is a non-profit organization that seeks to transcend partisan affiliations and focuses primarily on the legal defense and realization of those promises made to everyone in the Constitution—with a special emphasis on its first Ten Amendments.

On Tuesday, April 7, Mr. Morales will present two presentations at the Ontario campus and at the TVCC Caldwell Center on the history of the ACLU and some of its more iconic cases. He will also be delving into contemporary local cases, with a focus on underserved populations, that the ACLU has impacted.

This is a great opportunity for TVCC faculty, staff and students to expand their knowledge and understanding of the ACLU, to learn what the ACLU looks like in practice, and to evaluate how the goals of the ACLU may be relevant in everyday life.