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Faculty Members Recognized for Implementing QEP into Classroom

Apr 10

Logo for Quality Enhancement PlanApril 10, 2018 – The Early Childhood Education and Criminal Justice Department implemented Richmond Community College’s Quality Enhancement Plan, “Speaking to Convey, Writing to Display,” this spring semester. Instructors Sheila Regan, Jennifer Murray and Robin Smith were the winners of the QEP faculty prize drawing for their departments. The instructors were awarded $25 cash from the RCC Foundation in support of the QEP.

Sheila Regan and Jennifer MurrayPicture of Sheila Regan and Jennifer Murray

Sheila and Jennifer are both instructors for the Early Childhood Education program at RichmondCC. Sheila has been an instructor for nine years and Jennifer six years.

Both instructors incorporated the QEP into the revision of a popular assignment they have enjoyed teaching for years, “100 Things About Me.” This assignment provides students with an opportunity to reflect on their strengths and challenges utilizing Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory.  It allows students to explore what they have in common with their classmates and explain how their strengths will make them successful in a career working with families and children.

Sheila and Jennifer both agree it is very important for students in the Early Childhood Education program to have effective oral and written communication skills.

“Research shows that the first five years of a child’s life are the most important. Our students must be capable of consistently and accurately conveying information to and about the children they service,” Sheila said.

Robin SmithPhoto of Robin Smith

Robin has been an instructor for the Criminal Justice program at RichmondCC for three and half years.

To incorporate the QEP into her program, Robin used a lot of videos provided during QEP training. Robin gave her students an oral or written activity to work on each week to show the progress they were making with their research paper. Robin said by doing this, it eliminated procrastination and the possibly of the student not turning the assignment in.

How have students responded?

“Initially students were a little apprehensive. Students saw it as extra work, but once their oral and written communication assignment was completed, they saw it in a positive manner,” Robin said. “They came to realize that it made things easier and helped them obtain a higher grade.”

Robin said oral and written communication skills are equally important for criminal justice professions because most careers require intensive speaking and documentation.

“In the criminal justice field, oral communication skills are vital. Criminal justice professionals are interacting with the public on a daily basis,” she said. “To have a career in this field, you must be able to communicate with people of many different backgrounds. They may be called upon to deliver presentations to the community. Your credibility may be challenged if you cannot communicate effectively.”