Empowering Minds, Inspiring Hearts

Harnessing the Benefits of Brain Breaks

Maintaining focus and productivity can be challenging in today’s fast-paced world. Join me for an interactive session exploring the concept of ‘Brain Breaks’—short, energizing activities designed to recharge your mind and enhance your overall well-being.

In this session, we’ll delve into the science behind Brain Breaks and how they can significantly improve cognitive function, creativity, and productivity. Through a series of engaging exercises, participants will learn practical strategies to incorporate Brain Breaks into their daily routines, whether at work, school, or home.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• • Understand the importance of regular mental breaks for optimal performance.
  • Explore various types of Brain Break activities, including mindfulness exercises, physical movements, and creative challenges.
  • Tips for seamlessly integrating Brain Breaks into your classes.
  • Personalized strategies tailored to individual preferences and goals.

Facilitator Bio: Aimee Finney

Aimee Finney received her Master’s Degree in Communication and Leadership from Gonzaga University in 2015; her thesis focused on teenage brain development. Aimee joined Austin Community College (ACC) as an adjunct professor in the Communication Studies department in 2016. Aimee recently joined the Teaching and Learning Excellence Division (TLED) as a Faculty Development Coordinator; it is her dream job.

Aimee gets overwhelmed with too much information and sets out to research ways to stay focused, productive, and engaged in learning adventures. This presentation is the result of those efforts.

Strategies for Reducing Student Anxiety in the Classroom

While stress is a normal part of college life, it has the potential to negatively impact students’ ability to learn and be successful in the classroom. Faculty can help students by increasing their own knowledge around student mental health and by teaching and modeling evidence-based strategies for mitigating stress and anxiety and enhancing learning and memory. In doing so, faculty contribute to student well-being, retention, and academic success.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• • Identify how stress impacts systemic and academic behavior in students.
  • Compare evidence-based strategies for reducing student anxiety.
  • Develop a strategy to utilize in class to help students experiencing stress.

Facilitator Bio: Silke Morin

Silke Morin is an Associate Professor of Biology and Assistant Department Chair of Student Advising, Counseling, and Complaints. Silke is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. She received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Wellesley College, a master’s degree in Neuroscience from the University of Texas at Austin, and a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lamar University. She is currently enrolled in a PhD program in Educational Leadership Policy at Texas Tech University.

Building Student Connections through Communication

Effective communication in the classroom fosters a positive learning environment, enhances student engagement, and improves overall classroom dynamics. This one-hour workshop is designed to equip faculty with the tools and techniques necessary to enhance interaction skills and create more meaningful connections with students through intentional communication. Through practical examples and exercises, participants will explore key principles of effective communication, identify common communication barriers between students and faculty, and strive toward developing strategies to overcome these challenges. Join us to refine your communication skills and foster dynamic relationships with your students.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• • Identify and articulate key principles of effective classroom communication.
  • Enhance interpersonal skills when providing feedback, managing conflicts, and encouraging student participation and engagement.
  • Recognize and address common barriers to effective communication with students.

Facilitator Bio: Theresa Glenn

Theresa Glenn has been a member of the Austin Community College (ACC) faculty since the summer of 2001 and currently serves as the Assistant Dean of Faculty Development and a full-time faculty member in the Communication Studies Department, where she served as Department Chair for six years. Her passion is supporting life-long learning for all educators and sharing her love of communication competency with her students.

Dr. Glenn received her M.A. in Communication Studies from the University of North Texas and her Doctorate in Community College Leadership from Ferris State University. As a result of her dissertation work, she launched the Parent and Family Engagement initiative at ACC. She has presented her work in higher education to the League for Innovation, NISOD, the National Communication Association, SSCA, TCCTA, AHEPPP, and other state organizations. As a mother of four, she enjoys family time on the lake and evenings of family board games.

Embracing Mindfulness in Higher Education

Mindfulness is gaining traction in various sectors: companies offer mindfulness training to employees, professional athletes incorporate mindfulness into their routines, and the military uses mindfulness to enhance soldier training. Research in neuroscience and other fields highlights numerous benefits of mindfulness for higher education, including improved self-regulation, attention, creativity, and the potential for more inclusive environments.

Emotionally engaged students often experience a stronger sense of belonging, as they find the content more relevant to their personal lives and academic ambitions. This workshop will guide participants in incorporating mindfulness practices into their classrooms, promoting student engagement and academic success.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• • Comprehend the principles and significance of the “contemplative pedagogy” movement in higher education.
  • Recognize practical strategies and access a variety of resources for incorporating mindfulness practices.
  • Apply mindfulness techniques effectively in diverse classroom settings.

Facilitator Bio: Chelsea Biggerstaff

Chelsea Biggerstaff’s educational journey spanned classrooms in Japan, China, the United States, and the Navajo Nation, revealing significant disparities. Motivated to address these issues, she dedicated two years to AmeriCorps before joining Skillpoint Alliance. As a Program Lead at Skillpoint, she coordinated professional development workshops for local independent school districts on leadership, presentation skills, team skills, time management, workplace communication, and creative problem-solving.

Chelsea’s passion for transformative development led her to Austin Community College (ACC), where she combines her creativity and educational expertise to inspire and collaborate with the college’s dedicated faculty, staff and students. Additionally, she serves as a Resident Ceramic Artist at the Dougherty Arts Center and a Curator for Future Front Texas.

Globalizing Curriculum to Foster Belonging and Purpose

According to the United Nations, the primary goal of Global Citizenship Education is to build a sense of belonging while assisting learners in developing core competencies to foster respect for all.

By adopting a global mindset, educators embrace a holistic perspective to support students and faculty in their learning of worldwide complex processes as well as enabling them to be better equipped to thrive in an interconnected world. Join this interactive workshop to contemplate incorporating elements with universal impact as we engage in discussion of both theoretical concepts and practical implementation strategies to transform learners into dynamic contributors who advocate for a more inclusive and sustainable world.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• • Enhance student preparedness for a global workforce.
  • Increase cultural competence and empathy.
  • Identify challenges and solutions specific to Austin Community College (ACC).
  • Develop action plans for implementation.

Facilitator Bio: Valeria Flint

Valeria Flint serves as Faculty Development Coordinator at the Teaching and Learning Excellence Division (TLED) as well as Psychology and Student Development Adjunct Faculty, and as a substitute in the Adult Education Department at Austin Community College (ACC).

She is passionate about education, servant leadership, sustainability, technology, wellness, and neuroscience. A first-generation and non-traditional graduate, she enjoys finding research-based strategies to support faculty and students to reach their goals.