Fall 2024 Convocation and Opening Day
Visit the CTTL WebsiteWelcome to Fall 2024
We look forward to being in community with our faculty and staff colleagues to celebrate a new academic year. Please join us in the Theater in Building 1 for the Convocation, followed by lunch and flex day sessions in Buildings 7 and 8.
The Center for Transformative Teaching & Learning (CTTL) is proud to offer flex day sessions around wellness, equity, excellence in teaching, student support, and important changes to curriculum.
Convocation Schedule at a Glance
Welcome, 8:30 - 9:00am | Registration and Breakfast | Theater
Convocation Ceremonies, 9:00 - 11:15 am | Theater
Lunch, 11:30 - 12:20pm | Fireside Dining - (TBA)
Flex Day Afternoon Sessions, 12:30 - 3:30pm | Building 7 and 8
Please note that the District Opening Day (Aug 12) has time set aside for division and department meetings.
All SMCCCD full-time faculty members have a total of 6 days (30 hours) of Flex obligations to complete, while day/evening obligations vary based on semester assignments. Failure by full-time faculty to fulfill this obligation may result in a reduction of pay.
The District Academic Senate issued a memo on Flex Day obligations for 2023-24 with the Flex Day Reporting Form 23-24. Full-time regular faculty should file this form with their dean. Part-time faculty wishing to be compensated for attending flex day(s) should fill out both the Flex Day Reporting Form and the Adjunct-OL Faculty Timesheet and submit them to their division assistant. Contact CTTL with any questions about flex reporting. Please see the Collective Bargaining Agreement for further details, Article 7.11.1 for full-time faculty and Article 7.11.2 for part-time faculty.
If you are a faculty member unable to participate in any of the planned on-campus Flex Day activities and would like to know about alternatives available to you, discuss your situation and options with your Division Dean.
SMCCCD provides a flexible calendar for staff development in accordance with California
Code of Regulations, Title 5,
Division 6, § 55724*. There are six (6) Flex Days in the 2024-2025 academic calendar:
● Monday and Tuesday, August 12 and 13, 2024, and Wednesday, October 9, 2024.
● Thursday and Friday, January 9 and 10, 2025, and Thursday, April 17, 2025.
Per Title 5, all Flex Day obligations are on “flexible time.” All faculty members
are encouraged to attend Opening Day
activities on Monday, August 12, 2024 and Convocation at Skyline College on Tuesday,
August 15, 2024. As of 2018,
SMCCCD requires mandatory attendance at two Flex Days for full-time faculty, while
the other four Flex Days remain on
flexible time. The mandatory Flex Days for full-time faculty are August 13, 2024 and
January 10, 2025.
You can click the Register buttons on the Agenda and Schedule tab for each session, or to bulk register:
1. Go to the SMCCCD Employee Portal and login with your SSO credentials:
2. After you enter your SMCCD credential you will see this page; click the Vision Resource Center tile:
3. Once there, click the Events Calendar Button link to go to the desired date. Be careful to select Skyline Events, CSM also uses the VRC to register for their events.
4.Click the name of each session you choose and Register by clicking the blue “Request” button.
You have now registered for the session. You will receive an email confirmation from skylinecttl@smccd.edu and a calendar invite.
ⓘ VRC Registration
If you are denied access, it means one of two things:
- You are not signed in with your employee Single Sign-On. Please sign in with SMCCCD OneLogin and try again.
- Your primary job needs to be updated to enable acess to the VRC. Please request this update, so we can promptly resolve the issue for you. NOTE: This can take up to 48 hours to resolve. After you submit the request to update your primary job, if this is not resolved by Opening Day, simply go ahead and attend the sessions you are interested in and make sure to write your name in the sign-in sheet. We can credit you retroactively in the VRC once your primary job is updated.
If you experience any issues or need an ADA accommodation, please contact Ricardo Flores (floresr@smccd.edu)
Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning - CTTL
Building 5, Room 5-118
Email: skylinecttl@smccd.edu
Phone: 650-738-7080
For professional learning/development inquiries contact:
Andrea Fuentes: fuentesandrea@smccd.edu
District Opening Day at Cañada College
This year's District Opening Day takes place at Cañada College, with livestream options available.
The day starts with Opening Day Ceremonies running through 11 am, followed by Brunch, Music and Garden activities. Flex sessions begin at noon, with time set aside for Division Meetings from 1:30 - 3:30 pm.
For more information, please visit the Opening Day website or contact Ellen Young, PD Coordinator, Cañada College.
![district opening day 2024](/flexday/convocation.png)
![convocation with image of scissors](/flexday/images/convocation.png)
Convocation Ceremonies
- Continental breakfast 8:00 - 8:30 am
- Ceremonies including Welcome Messages and Employee Recognition and the Education Master Plan.
- Lunch 11:30 am in Fireside Dining Building 6
- Flex Day sessions 12:30 - 3:30 pm in Building 7 and 8.
- Click Register Buttons for Sessions you Choose - log into the VRC
- Note online only sessions (camera icon). Click Join button to enter the Zoom room.
- Please register for breakfast and lunch if attending in person!
Breakfast and Check In | 8:00 - 8:30 AM
Breakfast - Please Register
Even if you are not attending the full Convocation ceremonies or the Flex Day sessions,
please take a moment to register if you are going to the continental breakfast. It
will be served in the lobby of the Theater in Building 1.
We so much appreciate it and look forward to being in community with you!
![croissant and hot beverage illustration](/cttl/images/continental%20breakfast.png)
Convocation Ceremonies | 8:30-11:15 AM
Convocation Ceremonies
Dr. Newin Orante, Dr. Vinicio Lopez, and Ingrid Vargas
Theater, Building 1 (also livestreamed) | 8:30 - 11:15 AM
Agenda coming soon, but will include a President's Welcome Message, and Update on the Education Master Plan, Employee Recognition and Awards, Introduction of New Employees, and Welcomes from the CSEA, AFT, and both Senates. Please register for catering purposes!
Lunch - Please Register | 11:30 - 12:20 PM
![croissant and coffee graphic](/flexday/images/light%20lunch.png)
Join us for a delicious lunch and community. You will be able to learn more about
last year's Comprehensive Program Review (CPR) by viewing the poster displays, and
you can enjoy listening to the orchestra. We ask that you PLEASE REGISTER for catering
purposes; even if you are not attending the entire event please sign up for lunch.
INSERT LINK HERE
Afternoon Flex Sessions Block 1 | 12:30 - 1:55 PM
Dancing for Wellness (So You Think You Can Dance: Thriller Choreography)
Qimmah Tamu
Building 6, Fireside Dining (tentative) | 12:30-1:55 PM
Join Qimmah for a fun dance workout, and learn the Thriller choreography. Interested participants will perform Thriller at the October Flex Day.
Unlocking Future Fellowship Program Fellows
Martin Marquez and Student Panel
Building 8 TBA | 12:30 - 1:55 PM
This workshop will provide the campus community an opportunity to gain knowledge on the Unlocking Futures Fellowship (UFF) program, a professional development and workforce opportunity provided to undocumented students of Skyline College through the Undocumented Community Center (UCC). The UFF program provides students professional mentorship, monthly enrichment seminars that support their growth and aspiring professionals, and the opportunity to obtain an income through service scholarship disbursements. This session will include 3 student speakers and the projects they developed in their first year of the UFF program (from Fall 2023 - Spring 2023) and will also share their plans in continuing the program through different departments on campus this new academic year. Community members are encouraged to attend so they can build awareness around this expanding program and refer students, specifically undocumented students, to the opportunity to join the 2024-2025 UFF Cohort.
DesignPLUS: No-Code Cool Course Design in Canvas
Andrea Fuentes, Ricardo Flores
Building 7 / 8 TBA | 12:30 - 1:55 PM
Have you heard about CidiLabs DesignPlus? It's now available inside Canvas with tons of cool templates and design features to engage students, better organize content, and improve navigation. There are some tips for you too! Bring your laptops (recommended in person) or watch the live stream. Need to add deep link to register
Leverage LinkedIN Learning: Empowering Education and Careers
Kalia Chavez, Laurie DeKelaita (SPWD) and Cecily Hastings (LinkedIn)
Online and Building 7 | 12:30 - 1:55 PM
Discover the potential of LinkedIn Learning, a comprehensive online learning platform offering thousands of courses across various subjects and industries. This workshop will demonstrate how to personalize LinkedIn Learning for your specific major or training area, enhancing both faculty development and student support. Learn how this tool can complement your curriculum by providing students with industry-relevant skills for jobs and internships. We will also create tailored LinkedIn Learning pathways to meet your specific needs. Additionally, we'll share expert tips for creating an outstanding LinkedIn profile, an essential tool in today's professional landscape. Join us to explore how LinkedIn Learning can be integrated as a valuable resource in our educational community. Cecily Hastings, LinkedIn's Higher Education Account Director, will join us to guide you in crafting an impressive LinkedIn profile and address any questions you may have about the platform. NEED TO ADD ZOOM AND REGISTRATION LINK
Equity Coaches: Ask Me Anything
Chris Collins
Building 7 and Livestreamed | 2:05 - 3:30 PM
Learn more about the Equity Scholars program which started last year with a Culturally Responsive Pedagogy grant. We have opportunities for full and part-time faculty to participate in Equity Coaching, either as Coaches/Mentors or Mentees. Learn how to sign up for this compensated experience, and hear about some of the experiences of our last cohort.
Afternoon Flex Sessions - Block 2 | 2:05 - 3:30 PM
AB 1705: Revisiting English and Math Gen Ed Pathways
Ellen Murray
Building 8 TBA | 2:05 - 3:30 PM
Coming soon.
Empowering Teaching and Learning through Library Collaboration
Pia Walawalkar
Online Only | 2:05 - 3:30 PM
This session aims to reacquaint faculty with the library's extensive resources and services, increasing their awareness and promoting collaboration with the library. Participants will learn how to collaborate with the library to reduce educational costs for students through subscription content, digitized textbooks, and technology loan programs. Additionally, the session will cover how faculty can work with the library to achieve ISLOs through information literacy workshops, including the ethical use of generative AI to enhance critical thinking and writing skills. The workshop will also highlight various library events and activities that foster community building and student engagement on campus. NEED REG LINK
Elevate Your Degree Program: Align Courses and Competencies
Karen Wong and Michael Cross
In-person and 7-203 Hyflex Classroom with SNACKS | 2:05 - 3:30 PM
If your program offers a degree, this workshop is designed for you! Join us for an engaging session designed to help you seamlessly integrate the recently updated Institutional Student Learning Outcomes (ISLOs) into your program's curriculum. Collaborate with colleagues to connect courses required for the degree with the five competencies expected of Skyline College graduates. From these connections, develop a cohesive assessment plan that not only meets institutional standards but also enhances student learning and success. Plus, learn how to leverage Canvas for efficient and effective assessment. Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your program and empower your students!
Zumba Dance Fitness
Liza Erpelo
Dance Studio - Gym 2nd Floor | 2:05 - 3:15
Join us for a dance fitness party that's exercise in disguise! We'll use Latin and World rhythms and low-intensity and high-intensity moves to give you a total workout, combining all elements of fitness --- cardio, muscle conditioning, balance and flexibility. Wear comfy shoes, put on clothes you can dance in, bring a towel, and don't forget your water. Take a break from your computer, get ready to sweat, and see you on the dance floor! NEED REGISTRATION LINK
New Faculty Academy (Invite only for new tenure track faulty)
Bianca Rowden-Quince
5-134 CTTL | 12:30 - 3:30 PM
Join us to kick off an orientation for new tenure track faculty! No registration required. Contact Bianca Rowden-Quince with any questions.
Video Engagement with Playposit and Panopto
Ricardo Flores
TBA | 2:05 - 3:30 PM
Join our instructional technologist for an orientation to Play Posit, a new interactive video feature available in Canvas. You can add quiz questions to existing videos or other ways of interaction. You can also learn some tips and tricks for using Panopto in your courses to record micro lectures.
![flex day Lyndsey Ayotte and Newin Orante](/flexday/images/moving%20aheadtracks.png)
Propose a Workshop for Flex Day
Have an idea or some experience to share? To support diverse programming that meets the needs of our campus community, the CTTL is requesting proposals for Flex Day sessions.
Now accepting Flex Day and Adjunct Symposium proposals for Fall 2024
We are looking for tracks around Excellence in Teaching, Community Building, Technology and Innovation (including Online Teaching), Health/Safety/Wellness, and Equity/Access.
Guidelines for Presenters
Prospective Presenters - The CTTL has adapted the Awareness, Knowledge, and Skills (AKS) framework by Connerley and Pedersen (2005) to develop our own framework of constructing and facilitating workshops/training.
The adaptation of AKS is as a way to identify if the workshop is building awareness (creating the foundational information about your topic such as definitions, historical timelines/context); relating knowledge (interpreting the research, policies, or other resources related to the topic); as well as implementing skills (applying best practices/strategies). Workshops should either focus on one or all of the adapted AKS framework to build upon the work currently being done within our college and across the district. Using this framework will also further inform the participants of the purpose and outcomes of the workshop.
Need support with developing a workshop proposal? Have questions or need additional information? ContactAndrea Fuentes, PD Coordinator.
Previous Flex Days
Access materials from earlier flex days in the CTTL Faculty Repository, Professional Development section.
![Tennis during a Flex Day session](/flexday/images/Tennis-on-Flex-Day.png)
Flex Day Archives
CTTL maintains copies of slide decks, handouts, and some video recordings from previous flex days. You can browse the CTTL Faculty Repository for this information. If you have any questions, please contact Andrea Fuentes in the CTTL.
PD and Flex Day Repository