So, have you started working on yours? No? Really?
Unless you have superhuman time management abilities, odds are you have not. However, that doesn't mean that you can't do a few things now that will make that job easier next August (or next first week of September).
We at CAT+FD are NOT a Rank and Tenure advisory entity. We do not offer suggestions or advice and ALWAYS refer you to your department for the specific culture and model of success they have defined. And I will not breech that boundary here. I will, however, relay some of the points made by the Rank and Tenure committee last May in their open forum that relate to CAT+FD in general.
CAT workshops were mentioned specifically be name numerous times!! (huzzah!!!) In reference to seeing you progress and develop as an educator, the current committee feels that one of your best resources are the NUMEROUS CAT workshops put on by Elizabeth, Jay, Tiera, Bart, Janice, Karen, and the whole CAT+ staff. The R and T committee highly encouraged faculty to go to these and learn from them. You can always find upcoming events here: http://cat.xula.edu/events/ More than simply attending, it is important to really think about the workshop ideas and suggestions and, if you choose to incorporate them, reflect on if they were successful or not in your hands.
As the center formerly known as CAT is developing into its new identity as CAT+FD, I am personally very excited to take advantage of all of the programming that will now be geared towards scholarly development as well as balancing all faculty obligations with each other as well as with life.
So keep track of everything you attend this year and, as always, don't forget to sign in. If something strikes you as particularly interesting we here at CAT+FD are more than happy to continue the conversation with you to help you successfully translate that workshop topic to success in the classroom.
Cheers,
Stassi DiMaggio
CAT+FD Faculty in Residence/First Year Faculty Mentor