About Me

Southwestern Community College (SWC) is very special to me. I like to think that I grew up on this campus.  Born and raised in the South Bay, I attended the old child development center that used to be next to the stadium as a young child. I attended College for Kids; and, then, in the summer after my sophomore year, I began taking classes for college credit while still in high school. After high school, I completed an Associates Degree at SWC in General Studies. While at SWC, I was a student senator in the ASO, the student representative to the Academic Senate for the 1994-5 academic year, worked as a tutor in the Writing Lab, and received the Student of Distinction Award. It was an incredible honor to to come back to SWC in 2002 to teach Child Development. I have taught in the Spanish to English program as well as several core classes for the department. I began teaching hybrid and fully-online classes in 2011.

Teaching Philosophy

“A brave space is an intentional environment where people can choose to engage in challenging dialogues with courage and empathy.  This could be a classroom, a community event, a public library, or a meeting.  In these spaces, people can step out of their comfort zone to learn from each other’s perspectives and address critical issues impacting their lives (Gates et. al, 2019).”  As a brave space, I would like our class to be a supportive learning environment that values and builds on the richly diverse perspectives and experiences of our group.  Most of our discussions are reflections and personal in nature.  Please help me develop this brave space by being courageous in telling your own experience and perspective, by honoring the diverse experiences of your classmates, and by letting me know (by anonymous surveys or email) if an assignment, comment, etc. makes you feel uncomfortable. In the readings, videos, and discussions, you will likely encounter cultures, ideas, and values that differ from your own – especially since we will be discussing marriage and family.  These are valuable opportunities to learn more about different perspectives and where they intersect with your own.

We all see the world from a point of view informed by our experience and backgrounds.  Because of this, you will be asked to reflect on your family of orientation (the family in which you were raised) and your family of procreation (the family you create as an adult).  What we read. watch, and discuss can open new windows through which to understand families and the world around us.  So, let’s try to be generous and kind in our responses to one another.

Community & Individual Agreements

“Community Agreements are the norms, principles and values chosen by a group to set the tone and intention of a space.  These agreements may change over time, should be agreed on by everyone and can clarify what safety means for the group, how to resolve conflict, and what expectations are held in common to support participation in activities (Gates, et. al, 2019).”  This is a summary of our community agreements:

What I expect from you:

• Be prepared, focused and ready to learn something new in every class, even when we are not meeting online at the same time.

• Commit to spending 9 hours a week engaged with the course content by watching videos, reading, and completing assignments.

• Engage and participate in class. Please share your thoughts or questions.

• Ensure all assignments are submitted according to deadline and method.

• Be respectful towards teacher and classmates in person and online. Encourage one another!

What you can expect from me:

• Educational videos and other content that I have specifically chosen to help you meet the course objectives and learning outcomes.

• A safe and open environment for all of us to learn from each other and our diverse life experiences.

• An environment that honors our diverse experiences that allows you to be seen and heard.

• Office Hour availability throughout the semester via Zoom.

My promise to each of you individually:

Regardless of what grade you end up with at the end of the semester, you will learn skills and concepts that will help you develop healthier relationships with family, friends, coworkers, and others you come in contact with on a daily basis.

Communication Essentials

I have a full-time job outside of SWC.  This means that the best times to reach me are in the evenings.  I do check my messages around lunch time each weekday as well.  I also tend to respond more quickly on the weekends than most educators.

There are many ways to communicate with me and each other:

Canvas Inbox

Sending an email through the Canvas Inbox is ideal for issues that apply just to you (such as grades, accommodations, or attendance).  I will respond within 72 hours (including weekends and holidays) but I shoot for within 24 hours.

Help! I’m Stuck!  Discussion 

This discussion is ideal for questions about course content, concepts, or assignments.  Ask, and, if you know the answer, please jump right on in and reply to others.  I will respond within 72 hours (including weekends and holidays) but I shoot for within 24 hours.  If you know how to answer your classmate’s question, feel free to jump in (there may be extra credit at the end of the semester for anyone who helped out a classmate).

Module Reflections

The module reflections are ideal for providing me feedback and for follow-up for concepts on which you are still “stuck”.   I note on the assignment that I may reach out to follow-up.  But, please indicate in the “submission comments” if you are requesting follow-up and I will do so within 48 hours of the due date (including weekends and holidays).

Office Hours via Zoom

During hours posted in Canvas, we can discuss any concern, challenge, or question about course content, grades, accommodations, or attendance.  It is first come, first serve.  You will arrive to the Zoom waiting room.  When I have finished meeting with the previous student, I will let you into my Zoom Room.