Volume 8, Issue 1

Faculty Senate

Perennial
December 2014

Hudson County Community College

Inside this issue:
Footprints 2
Patrizia Barroero

My Mothers
Daughter 3
Rafaella Pernice

Elaine Foster 4

Campus News 6
Michael Ferlise

Campus Safety in an
Urban Setting 6
Chris Drew

Adventures in Architecture
and Design 7
Harvey Rubinstein

The TYCA Conference 8

Katie Sweeting

A Very Rainy Literacy Day 9

Patrizia Barroero

Spotlights on TFTs 10
Joe Colicchio

HCCC student Stephanie Sanchezs artwork was included in the Hometown Teams Exhibition,
cosponsored by the Smithsonian Institution, at the Secaucus Public Library
 Page 2 Faculty Senate Perennial

Footprints

By role does it play in the belief that

Patrizia Barroero
I f my mothers apple pie
kept me going until high school,
my fathers frowns suggested I
would never measure up, but I
could always try and bring home
an A and see what happened.
That, at least, was good enough
for me. In the sort of traditional
reality I grew up in, where a
girl almost has to apologize
for being an opinionated
independent thinker, I have
always gotten mixed responses
from my family (and the Italian
community in general) about
my academic accomplishments.
When I graduated last spring,
my fathers reaction on Skype
was roughly the following:
Didnt you have one already?
What was wrong with the other
one? English, Linguistics,
isnt it the same thing? What
about a grandchild? You are
getting old
In general terms, though,
how much does the love and
care of a parent influence
students success and their
perception of themselves? What
First day of school
they can establish their goals
and dare to achieve them?
Authors like Bren Brown
(Daring Greatly: How the
Courage to Be Vulnerable
Transforms the Way We
Live, Love, Parent, and
Lead) and Claude Steele
(Whistling Vivaldi: How
Stereotypes Affect Us and
What We Can Do) suggest
that our self-esteem is
instrumental in our ability
to succeed, especially
academically. Furthermore,
other studies indicate that
a healthy and balanced diet,
particularly growing up, may
influence our focus, attention
span, energy levels, and overall
cognitive health. In movies
like The Pursuit of Happyness,
however, we are encouraged to
believe that one can just make
it against all odds. To me, our
ability to prosper is ours, but
it may start at home and it
should certainly be reinforced
in school.
However, does it happen?
We live in an era and country
where fast food is still many
peoples first or only choice
and obesity is one of our
major health issues. Being
thin remains in many ways a
contemporary canon of beauty,
the popularity of Mhegan
Trainors song All about the
Bass notwithstanding. So
how does pie help? Even more
so, in relation to teaching, I
think we are headed towards a
classroom model where we are
lucky if we have an available,
real person standing in front
of us, forget about caring
and encouragement. Then, of
course, even in ideal situations,
there are always tiredness,
competition, pressure, the
possibility
of failure,
the frustration.
There is the struggle of seeing
difference and overcoming
it. And then, there is just
life happening outside the
classroom: the sense of cultural
halfwayness and being pulled in
opposite directions among our
parents, partners, childrens,
and communitys expectations
while also being our own,
imperfect selves. Che stress!
Honestly, though, to me, the
classroom has always been the
place where somebody took the
time to explain something to me,
and no matter in what country I
was in, it always felt like home.
It all began in my small town
in northern Italy in elementary
school, where I struggled with
uniforms and regulations, but
the rest was fun. When I got
home, no one was there, but
pasta al rag, vegetables, fruit,
and pie were always on the
table, sometimes with a note. I
did not appreciate it back then,
but now I know that the time my
mother
( a n d
father, to be
fair) took to prepare a hot
meal was her way of letting
me know that whether I got
an A or a D, I would always
have a home to go back to.
Judging from what I see in my
classroom, though, a lot of my
young students do not seem to
be that lucky. Some parents may
be resistant or even envious of
their offsprings achievements,
and junk food may become a
quick and cheap surrogate for
connection, thus poisoning
both their body and sense of
self. When their children get to
school, they may just see what
they are not instead of who they
could be.
That is just the opposite
of my experience, especially at
Universit du Luxembourg,
where my beloved English
Literature professor, Agns
Prm, predicted my very future
with a simple statement: Relax,
Patrizia. Dont worry. One
(Continued on page 5)
 Volume 8, Issue 1 Page 3
Raffaellas Mother
By
Raffaella Pernice
D id you ever go to the
market, look at an ingredient
and think my mother used to
make thatdish and it was so
good, but what was in it? Most
people would just call her and
find out exactly how to make
it. Its not as easy for me. First,
when I get home I need to check
what time it is. Is it dinner time
or lunch or maybe its too late at
night? Is her arthritis OK or is
she having a bad day? Hmm .
The reason for all of this worry-
ing is that my Mamma lives
in Italy. She is in her 80s and
she doesnt measure any ingre-
dient! She may change a recipe
according to her mood. A pinch
of salt may become a spoonful
or forgotten completely if she
didnt sleep well from her ar-
thritic pain. A cup of sugar may
become one and a half or even
two if she is in a good mood.
My mom is an excellent
cook. She has many recipes
memorized and makes every-
thing fresh. The concept of
My Mothers Daughter
freezing doesnt exist in her
culinary world. We grew up
not having much left over food
to use, and still to this day my
mother makes just enough most
of the time. She grew up during
World War II with nothing in ex-
cess, especially food. So, there
was nothing to freeze. She used
to go to the supermarket twice
a week and planned the menu
for the next few days. I remem-
ber eating only seasonal food.
During the fall: roasts, soups
and baked apples from the yard
were our staples. If it was sum-
mer: pasta with fresh tomatoes,
string beans with sauce, chiap-
parelle with zucchini, my fa-
vorite, were often on our table.
Of course we had an orto. Not
a big garden, but enough to pro-
vide plenty of fresh vegetables.
Also we had quite a few fruit
trees, with the best flavored fruit
you can imagine. We made jel-
lies and homemadejars with all
the extra produce.
Today I try to do the same,
as much as I can. I dont freeze.
I go to the supermarket and fruit
stores every other day. My col-
leagues here at HCCC know
that on my break you can find
me at the fruit store. No divi-
sion meeting goes by that I
dont walk in with a couple of
bags from the farmers market.
I have asked my mother, many
times,to write down her reci-
pes and she always answers that
she will. But she never actually
does. I guess her culinary lega-
cy was passed on when we lived
together, still is when I go visit,
and when we brainstorm on
the phone to remember her reci-
pes, trying not to miss any in-
gredient.
I am my mothers daughter.
When my friends or my chil-
drens friends come over to our
house and like something they
ate and want the recipe, I panic.
I smile politely and answer I
will make it again for you. My
close friends come to my house
and we cook together so they
can see how the dish is done.
The other day my daughter, Ga-
briella -- she has been cooking
with me and on her own since
she was 12 -- asked me to help
her make tiramisu. She wanted
to start without me, so she went
out, purchased the ingredients,
called me and asked, What do
I need to do?
First separate the yolk
from the white of the eggs, I
say. She asks, How many? I
answer, Two. No, three. No,
maybe four, because they arent
that big. Gaby says, OK and
next? I answer, Add a cup of
sugar, maybe a little more
enough to absorb nicely the
eggs. What does that mean,
ma? she replies. That is when
I say, OK, you need to wait for
me to come home. Her answer:
UFFA! MA!
Of course the tiramisu
came out great and was a big
hit with her friends, and now
she knows how to make a nice
mascarpone cream with the
right consistency and, of
course, I saved a little piece for
my son, Sal. He ate it as soon
as he walked in the house and
enjoyed it very much. He asked,
Ma, are you going to cook for
me and my family when I get
older?
I thinkI should start writing
down my recipes, so my chil-
dren will always have them, and
they will not need to call and
figure it out with me when I
get older. Wait a minute. Was
this my mothers plan all along?
I am my mothers daughter!
 Page 4 Faculty Senate Perennial
After 35 years of service Elaine Foster will be leaving
us. So she thinks. She wont and cant. Though she nev-
er bought a building or secured a contract for one here at
HCCC, she is in each of them, atomically and essentially, as
part of the reason they exist at all. Joe Colicchio
Mojdeh Tabatabaie:
L ogical, methodical,
calm, stable, intellectual, caring.
Advocate of humanitarian
causes, talented teacher,
member of all sorts of College
committees, avid worldwide
traveler, movie and theater buff.
Elaine.
These are just a few things
that came to my mind when
deciding to write about Elaine.
So which one should I write
about? I pondered for a while
and then I had a selfish thought:
When do I go to Elaine and
why? Answer: Many times.
Many, many times over the
years, and for many reasons.
I have known and been
friends with Elaine for over
three decades. We taught
Academic Foundations
courses, worked in committees,
and attended conferences
together. I attended her faculty
development seminars, and I
must confess they were very
Elaine
more importantly of Jersey City
helpful in shaping my teaching
style. But, what stands out
is her calm and reasonable
demeanor. I have reached out
to her anytime I needed counsel.
Its natural to ask advice of
someone logical, methodical,
calm, stable, intellectual, and
caring. I have Elaines phone
number memorized and I will
continue to use it.
v v v v v v
Judith Bender Gangemi:
I t is with a heavy heart
that I must accept the fact
that Elaine is retiring. She is
not only a colleague, she is a
treasured friend. Some people
are amazed and bewildered
by our friendship. Although
viewed by many as vastly
different from one another,
we enjoy a mutual respect for
each other. We both share the
same objective: making sure
our students receive the best
education possible.
We served on several
committees together and
appreciated the contributions
each made to the work of those
committees. As officers of the
Professional Association we
struggled together through some
difficult negotiations, always
keeping in mind that we were
working for a better future for
our colleagues.
I have, on a number of
occasions, reminded Elaine
that although her roots are in
New England, she is now an
integral part of New Jersey,
makes for good teaching and
and, I believe we are richer for
it. Her willingness to serve
as a member of the Board of
Trustees of Women Rising is a
testament to her commitment
to our community. She has
undoubtedly served our college
and Hudson County well.
Although I truly happy for
Elaine, I am sad for myself.
Good luck, my Friend, and
enjoy!
v v v v v v
Joan Rafter:
T he day Elaine Foster
came to teach at HCCC was a
lucky one for the school, its
faculty and its students. For
35 years Elaine has been, in
her quiet New England way,
making things happen. Hard-
working, stubborn (I mean that
in a good way) she believes v v v v v v
in doing more than her share
(again, probably connected to
those New England ancestors).
Her long-standing presence
on numerous committees
(discipline, calendar, Faculty Elaine Foster:
Senate, Gen Ed, Union to name force for good in the growth
just a few) have made important
contributions to the running of
this institution.
Then, too, many faculty
(myself included) are in her debt
for the Faculty Development
Seminar which she created and
ran for many years. These were
undoubtedly the most useful
means of enhancing teaching
skills HCCC has ever offered
to adjuncts and full-time faculty
alike. Anyone Ive spoken
to who was fortunate enough
to take part in these seminars
came away imbued with a
better understanding of what
with admiration and respect for
Elaine, the person who crafted
the course structure, created the
collegial atmosphere, mentored
participants, and managed to
make those seminars not only
inspirational but a whole lot of
fun.
However, much as faculty
have benefited by Elaines years
at HCCC, students have always
been her main concern and
the main beneficiaries of her
hard work, her dedication, and
her stubborn refusal to accept
anything less than their best. I
think a conversation I overheard
one day at Sunnys, deserves a
place here. The discussion was
about one of Elaines classes
(Film I believe). The student
said, with obvious respect, She
doesnt let you get away with
ANYTHING! And she meant
that in a very, very good way.
Barry Tomkins:
L
et us give thanks for
a consistent
 Volume 8, Issue 1 Page 5
of this College, from those
humble beginnings in the
cramped quarters at 2737
Kennedy Boulevard to the
HCCC of today. Its fair to say
that everyone now at HCCC
has profited from her presence
and work. Shes been a mentor
of teachers, as the many faculty
members who have graduated
from her Faculty Development
Seminar will testify, as will
all those others who have
come to her for advice and
encouragement. We have all
benefited from her professional
leadership of the faculty union.
She has given willingly of her
time on many other committees
and task forces which have
contributed to the building of
this College.
Elaine Foster: an
exemplary teacher utterly
committed to the role. We
are a teaching college, first
and foremost, and Elaines
most enduring legacy has
been created in the classroom.
Our students have Elaine to
thank for bringing Childrens
Literature and Film courses
into our programs, courses she
has continued to teach, like
all her classes, with grace,
(Continued from page 2)
day you will teach this novel
(Incidents in the Life of a Slave
Girl, by Harriet Jacobs). I did
not believe her back then, but it
actually happened this semester.
And here, everyone, really,
inspires me every day. All my
colleagues, whom I consider all
mentors, have believed in me
more than I dared to. And yes,
they often feed me, too!
At home and in a
classroom, through pie or
constructive feedback, we can
quiet authority, high standards,
and great expectations. Her
Speech classes have given
many students new confidence
in themselves. Thousands
have emerged from her classes
enriched and empowered.
Elaine Foster: great
friend, mentor, colleague and
teacher. Let us give thanks.
v v v v v v
Harvey Rubinstein:
A s the Perennials
Proofreader-in-Residence, I A
had the privilege of reading the
advance copy of all the above
tributes to Elaine. Elaine richly
deserves our gratitude and
that of so many others at the
college. Can I add anything?
Yes. Only I can say that Elaine
was my officemate for almost
twenty years, starting in 1992
and ending about 4 years ago
when the B Building started
crumbling. Concerned for my
safety, I high-tailed it to a small
(but private) niche in 162 Sip,
but the fearless Elaine held on.
But in those twenty years or so,
sharing that office with Elaine
Footprints
feel part of something bigger
and dare to succeed or go down
trying: what is failure, after all,
if not an achievement that hasnt
happened yet? To me, good
teachers and parents should not
be the ones who make us perfect,
and when they help us see that
we are not our mistakes or our
grades, maybe we will dare to
reach our potential, spread our
wings, and fly.
We are the ones building
our path and standing our
ground. However, stormy days
was a delight. We talked books,
movies, politics (big P and little
p), family tales, and exchanged
scads of politically incorrect
jokes. Typically, our schedules
would overlap every day except
one (either Thursday or Friday),
when I would have the office to
myself, which was no fun at all.
Thanks, Elaine, for all those
times and your friendship.
v v v v v v
Liliane Macpherson:
fter 35 years, Elaine
Foster, one of the first
professors to be hired as a full
time faculty member at Hudson
County Community College,
is retiring. She will be leaving
at the end of the semester, but
her legacy will remain. Her
dedication to education and
to her students as well as her
commitment to the growth of
the college can be seen in every
aspect of the college today. She
was responsible for designing
and implementing what was
called The Bridge Program - a
clear forerunner of the current
Learning Communities. She
are just as essential as umbrellas.
The compaeros sustaining us
through the puddles and holes
and helping us look forward
when we stumble and fall
are what makes our journey
worthy of embarking on or
even possible. Every day is
made of a footprint after the
other in a sticky yellow brick
road, combining and merging
into so many other paths, one
sustaining the other, each one
leaving footprints in our turf
with pie, encouraging words,
was instrumental in getting the
General Education Program
approved and off the ground by
creating and teaching courses
such as Childrens Literature
and Introduction to Film. She
was often the colleges liaison
to local, state and national
organizations that championed
multicultural and womens
studies, and encouraged
scholarship in those fields.
Through a grant for faculty
training and development, she
taught educational seminars
attended by numerous full and
part time faculty and through
them touched the lives of
thousands of students. She
was always an active member
of the Faculty Senate and the
Professional Association. As a
senior member of the faculty
negotiation team she put in
countless and often thankless
hours of negotiation. Over 35
years Elaine Foster has made
numerous and significant
contributions to the college,
but most importantly, both her
colleagues and her students
will remember her as a master
teacher.
or slaps in the face, each
equally important to make our
way our own. And sometimes
they come to mind while I
sprint through campus pulling
my legendary bag on wheels,
excited and always a bit scared
before entering a classroom:
new day, new arena, new
adventure.
And when things go sour
well, hopefully, there will be
pie!
 Page 6 Faculty Senate Perennial
Campus News: Neither Desk nor Office.
New College Policy for Faculty
By
Michael Ferlise
I n an effort to make fac-
ulty availability more flexible
and robust and keep pace with
latest trends in commercial edu-
cation, HCCC administrative of-
ficials this week said the college
will introduce their new Neither
Desk nor Office program for
faculty sometime this semester
when it anticipates the sale of 25
Pathside, evacuation of 162-168
Sip and possible demolition or
Faculty Safety and Campus Security
By
Christopher Drew
M any faculty members
that Ive come in contact with
over the years in my teaching
career have brought up the issue
of safety for faculty on campus.
There is a major effort across the
country to educate both students
and faculty about the potential
dangers they might experience
in their workplace. In this brief
article, I would like to focus on
potential signs of distress that
faculty should look for in their
classrooms, or while walking on
and around campus.
It is imperative that faculty
members always be aware
of their surroundings in their
entire working environment.
Unfortunately, as we have
witnessed several times in
the recent past, crimes occur
on college campuses while
instruction is going on, and at
other times of the day as well.
burning of several other holdings
in Journal Square.
To ensure full faculty par-
ticipation in the decision-making
process administration officials
who wish to remain unnamed say
faculty will be allowed to choose
one of the following three policy
names for the new Neither Desk
nor Office program: Road Schol-
ar, Catch Me If You Can, Run
But You Sure Cant Hide.
The initial policy name
of More For Us, Less For You
was dropped, according to an
anonymous administrator, after
concerns arose among cabinet
Being able to understand and
look for potential signs that
a student may be exhibiting
threatening behavior will
enhance a faculty members
ability to be proactive.
I have listed below some
important factors to think about
while you are engaged in your
normal day-to-day activities on
our campus. Hopefully, they
will help you and your students
to stop a potentially dangerous
situation that could otherwise
escalate into campus violence.
The importance of listening
to students
The importance of knowing
when to refer a troubled student
Being focused on behavior
in assessing threats
How to keep lines of com-
munication open
The role of mentoring in
identifying and preventing pos-
sible violence
How to break through ex-
isting codes of silence among
students
How the community polic-
officials about giving the wrong
message, even though we felt
it fairly represented the latest
trends in corporate managerial
science and best administrative
practices of Hudson County.
An all-inclusive college
meeting for selecting the pro-
grams name will take place on
Thursday, December 31st in Ke-
arny, New Jersey, by invitation
only. Approximately 5 people
from the college community
will be invited, according to an
official news release from the
Presidents office. The faculty-
run All-College Council, the
ing model applies to higher edu-
cation
The role of campus secu-
rity in responding to threats
The composition and prop-
er functioning of threat assess-
ment teams
Fully understanding that
profiling is inadequate
Risk levels posed by stu-
dents with mental disabilities
The importance of know-
Student-Artists at the Hometown Teams Exhibition, cosponsored
by the Smithsonian Institution, at the Secaucus Public Library
Presidents memo said, will
send out faculty invitations as
soon as it receives the selection
list from the College President
or his secretarial staff. Admin-
istration officials also not will-
ing to be named said faculty can
expect further details on the time
and precise location of this fully
representative meeting to be re-
leased no sooner than December
30th or the morning of December
31st though they should also
anticipate the possibility of last
minute cancellation or no notice
that the meeting has been
rescheduled.
ing when to involve parents
In addition, here is a link to
the FBIs Crime in Schools and
Colleges report:
A Study of Offenders and
Arrestees Reported via National
Incident-Based Reporting Sys-
tem Data
http://www.fbi.gov/about-
us/cjis/ucr/nibrs/crime-in-
schools-and-colleges
 Volume 8, Issue 1 Page 7
Adventures in Architecture and Design
By
Harvey Rubinstein
T his month, your roving
Architecture and Design critic is
visiting with Gerard Stephens,
Assistant Professor of English
at Hunterdon County College in
Amwell Township, N.J. Gerry
has graciously offered to take us
on a tour of his workspace.
Gerry Stephens
HR: Hi, Gerry. Bonjour,
mon ami. Its great to be here
and see where you work.
GS: Hey, Harv, come on in.
Im happy to show you around.
HR: So, what do you call
your workspace?
GS: I usually call it my office.
HR: Really? So, tell me
what you have here?
GS: This is my desk. If I
had known you were coming, I
would have done a little Spring
cleaning.
HR: Its true that your desk
top could be a little tidier. What
does your administration say
about this?
GS: Why, they couldnt be
bothered. They just leave me
alone and let me do what I want.
After all, its my desk, at least
when Im here.
HR: You mean you dont
take it home on weekends? Just
pulling your leg.
So whats this over here?
GS: Well, Harv, those are
my bookshelves.
HR: Man, youve sure got
a lot of books. What do you do
with them all?
GS: Use them all the time
for my classesalways trying for
something different, something fresh.
HR: Dont tell me youve
never heard of the digital age?
I feel like Ive jumped off the
Way-Way-Back Express.
GS: You know me. Old
School.
HR: I notice this other
chair here. Is that for your
officemate?
GS: I should hope not. This
office is just for the three of us.
Me, myself and I.
HR: All to yourself?
Doesnt it get lonely sometimes?
GS: I wish it were lonelier!
On some days Ive got students
lining up like Im giving away
Lady Gaga ticketsand heres
where they settle in. And once
in a while, a colleague drops by
and we just shoot the breeze.
HR: Sounds mighty nice.
But as Im sure you know,
having a cubicle in a big room
with a lot of faculty colleagues
in their own cubicles is the latest
trend. Dont you feel out of it,
like youre behind the times?
GS: Have a good look. Im
not exactly in with the pierced
eyebrow crowd.
HR: Right, I get you. Old
School. This is all really great, but
tell me, how do you keep it a secret
from your College President?
GS: Secret? We have no secrets
around here. Were an open book.
HR: You mean she knows
In his office
that you have this office?
GS: Sure. She even stops
by once in a while to ask me
my advice on running the joint.
Something she usually regrets,
or so she tells me.
HR: Formidable! Thats
really something. You must be
the envy of your colleagues.
GS: Hardly. Offices tend
to be a dime a dozen around
these parts. Everybody and his
brothers got one.
HR: Sacre Bleu, mon frere!
Now wait just a minute. What
have we here?
GS: Ah, youve found my
pride and joy. My trusty Old
Comfy. My wife got it for me
for my Big Five-Oh. From Ikea.
Covered with genuine Lapland
naugahyde. Give it a test drive.
But I should warn you, it
reclines.
HR: Dont mind if I do.
Ah, wake me when its over,
Daddy-O.
GS: Take your time.
HR: How I wish. But Ive
got miles to go before I you
know whatif you dont mind
the shop talk. But it has been
great visiting you. Before I go,
though, theres something else
Ive got to ask you about. If Im
not mistaken, you do call it a
door rightno, no, you know
me--only kidding again. But
tell me what you do with it.
GS: Not all that much. Its
usually just there hanging. But
every once in a while, toward the
end of the day, Ill quietly close
it, put on some Mantovani, sink
into Old Comfy, and who knows,
maybe catch a quick snooze. But,
dont go telling the whole world
now.
HR: I wont, my man, I
wont. Just between us chickens.
Well, Gerry, Ive got to be on
my merry way. Thanks so much
for the tour.
GS: Mon plaisir. But next
time, cmon and set a spell, as
they say.
HR: Sure will. And Ill bring
the mint juleps, if youve got the ice.
GS: Right here in my mini-
fridge!
Bientt!
Thanks again to Gerry
Stephens for his hospitality.
Next month, well be at Passaic
County Community College
for another Adventure in
Architecture and Design. Tally-
Ho!
 Page 8 Faculty Senate Perennial
The Two Year College Association (TYCA) Conference
By
Katie Sweeting
O n October 23 I walked
with my husband to the Journal
Square PATH station, boarded
the train for Newark Penn
Station, and there boarded
Amtrak for Baltimore. Train
travel is so relaxing, and you
dont have disrobe to board
the train. We were headed
to the annual Two-Year
College Association (TYCA)
conference, held in Baltimore,
October 23 25th. Baltimores
Inner Harbor was the setting for
the conference, and in addition
to attending several workshops,
we also explored the food and
culture of the Inner Harbor. Of all
the workshops I attended, I offer
a few summaries below. Many
were helpful, some fascinating,
some thought-providing, and all
useful in one way or another.
On Friday I had the opportunity
to lead a workshop on Engaging
Students in World Literature.
The 18 professors who
attended participated in lively
discussions, asked questions,
and one small group even won
a prize.
Below I will highlight the
workshops I attended with the
hope that faculty may benefit
from the lessons learned and
possibly even incorporate
some of the methods into their
own pedagogy. Many of the
presentations will be available
on the TYCA website: http://
www.tycanortheast.org/
Pre-conference workshop
on Untethering Faculty with
Mobile Innovation
Presenters covered various
apps faculty can utilize on
tablets to engage the class.
Most of the apps are also
available to students. Team
Shake allows a faculty member
to divide students into groups.
Parameters can be set to divide
students by different variables,
like GPA, major, gender, etc.
Doceri is an app that allows
faculty to control the computer
in the classroom from a
tablet, annotate content on the
computer, and save/replay the
annotations. Socrative allows
faculty to give quizzes, games
and other interactive tools to
assess students learning. Both
the teacher and the student need
to have the app. All these apps
are free.
Connection, Collabora-
tion and Modeling: The Suc-
cess of the Family History I-
Search Paper
At a TYCA conference I
attended in 2010, presenters
offered a model for dividing
Comp 1 students into tracks. I
have incorporated this model
into my advanced Comp 1 class.
Students choose the career
track, family history track, or
community problem track.
This workshop delved even
further into the family history
component. Linda De La Ysla,
an Assistant Professor of English
at Community College of
Baltimore County, and Cassidy
Chesnut, a Research Librarian,
showed how students are led
to research on family members
and compose a research paper
based on their findings. This
is not a genealogical paper,
but rather once a student has
identified one family member,
living or deceased, the student
researches not only the family
member, but also the time period
in which the family member
lived. For example, Professor
De La Yslas grandmother,
a Russian Jew, was active in
the anti-Czarist movement in
Russia in the early 1900s. Not
only did the professor research
any information she could find
on her grandmother, she also
researched how other women in
the time period lived. Students
have at least two class sessions
with the research librarian, who
guides them not only to library
sources, but also to primary
sources. One student visited
a plantation and discovered
information about former
slaves in her family who
escaped the plantation. This
was a fascinating presentation
and I enjoyed witnessing the
collaboration between the
professor and the librarian.
Teaching Argument
Judge Judy Style
Professor Stacy Korbelak
uses current cases from the
Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl,
and creates a courtroom debate
amongst her students.
Transforming the First
Year College Experience
At LaGuardia Community
College, their equivalent to our
CSS used to be a non-credit
course. It was a one-hour, zero-
credit course taught by coun-
selors. Attendance was poor.
After a series of discussions,
and task forces, they made a
decision to drastically change
this course. It is now a 3-credit,
3-hour course taught by faculty.
Students are divided into class-
es based on their majors (all
students must declare a major
when they begin college). This
is in the pilot stage, and so far
they have rolled out the Liberal
Arts and Health Sciences cours-
es. In addition to information
on how to navigate around the
college, the portal, how to study
and take notes, there is also a
strong academic component,
including an introduction to the
major and the creation of an E-
portfolio. The three professors
who presented believe this has
been a very positive change for
the college.
Using Voice Recogni-
tion Software to Significantly
Reduce the Amount of Typ-
ing on Blackboard and Other
Electronic Education LMS
Systems
Our own Professor Brian
Plunkett led this workshop
on how to use voice recogni-
tion software. For those of us
who grade on Blackboard, and
get tired of endless typing of
comments and remarks, this is
a very useful tool. Professor
Plunkett demonstrated how the
tool works, and explained how
useful it has been in his own
grading, allowing him to make
longer and more substantive
comments on students work.
The other workshops I at-
tended were helpful, but I am
highlighting the most useful.
The conference ended on a high
note Poet Taylor Mali read
several of his original poems,
and a favorite among those in
attendance was What Teachers
Make. I conclude with the text
of his poem:
Taylor Mali
 Volume 8, Issue 1 Page 9

What Teachers Make Because youre bored.

by Taylor Mali
He says the problem with teachers is
Whats a kid going to learn
from someone who decided his best option in life
was to become a teacher?
He reminds the other dinner guests that its true
what they say about teachers:
Those who can, do; those who cant, teach.
I decide to bite my tongue instead of his
and resist the temptation to remind the dinner guests
that its also true what they say about lawyers.
Because were eating, after all, and this is polite conversation.
I mean, youre a teacher, Taylor.
Be honest. What do you make?
And I wish he hadnt done that asked me to be honest
because, you see, I have this policy about honesty and ass-kicking:
if you ask for it, then I have to let you have it.
You want to know what I make?
I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.
I can make a C+ feel like a Congressional Medal of Honor
and an A-feel like a slap in the face.
How dare you waste my time
with anything less than your very best.
I make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall
in absolute silence. No, you may not work in groups.
No, you may not ask a question.
Why wont I let you go to the bathroom?
And you dont really have to go to the bathroom, do you?
I make parents tremble in fear when I call home:
Hi. This is Mr. Mali. I hope I havent called at a bad time,
I just wanted to talk to you about something your son said today.
To the biggest bully in the grade, he said,
Leave the kid alone. I still cry sometimes, dont you?
Its no big deal.
And that was noblest act of courage I have ever seen.
I make parents see their children for who they are
and what they can be.
You want to know what I make? I make kids wonder,
I make them question.
I make them criticize.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them write.
I make them read, read, read.
I make them spell definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful
over and over and over again until they will never misspell
either one of those words again.
I make them show all their work in math
and hide it on their final drafts in English.
I make them understand that if youve got this,
then you follow this,
and if someone ever tries to judge you
by what you make, you give them this.
Here, let me break it down for you, so you know what I say is true:
Teachers make a goddamn difference! Now what about you?

A Very Rainy Literacy Day

By
Patrizia Barroero
On October 4 , the weath-
th
er was against us, but defying
the storm and heavy rain, put-
ting on our rain boots, coats,
and hats and getting on the train
was worth it: it was Literacy
Day! A crew of a handful of
people (Monika - the captain,
Patrizia Barroero, Johanna Van
Gendt, Denise Rossilli, Joe
Caniglia, Tim Peacock, and
Brian Plunkett) put together an
event inspiring the entire com-
munity to read and enjoy one
anothers company while chat-
ting, reading, creating, drawing,
and writing together.
In addition, thanks to the
work and book donations of
members of the committee, Dr.
Pando, Dr. Friedman, Carol Van
Houten, and Kathryn Buckley,
the children were able to enjoy
all that this day could offer: arts
and crafts, board games, face
painting, and healthy snacks.
The children also went home
with a goody bag with a free
book, coloring pages, crayons,
and bookmarks. Numerous
other people, like Angela Tuzzo
, George Hefelle, Sara Mintzer,
and Kate Bellody also promptly
helped with balloons, setting,
and decoration of the Culinary Timothy Peacock, Monika Chappilliquen, Shannonine
Center and Library tours. Final- Caruana, Joseph Caniglia, Evan Gromel, Brian Plunkett, and
ly, faculty members brightened Patrizia Barroero
up this rainy day with their sto-
ries, smiles, and enthusiasm. comfortable going and books and the entire community to get
If reading starts or should are accessible. They are places familiar with those places and
start at home, in the arms of where one can enjoy the quiet they are often the first step to get
our parents and loved ones, it and ones own thoughts without connected to reading for ones
becomes essential in our cog- feeling lonely or excluded: they own growth and as a social ac-
nitive and social development are that room of ones own tivity. Of course, then, some just
if we place it within our com- which sometimes is hard to find showed up to the event for the
munity, whether at school and and enjoy. It is almost a way, to free snacks and face painting,
at the library. To me, these me, to be alone together. but still, its a step forward. And
places should feel like homey Events like Literacy Day above all, we all had fun!
environments where people are seem to encourage the children
 Page 10 Faculty Senate Perennial
Spotlight on TFTs
v v v v v v
-This is Jeffrey Chaits fourth year at Hudson County
Community College teaching Management, Marketing, Macro and
Micro-economics. He earned his Masters Degree in Organizational
Psychology from Kean University. Jeffrey is focused on seeing
students succeed since the courses topics are all part of our daily
lives. Jeffrey brings an abundance of experience to the students
from the business field in which these topics are practical for
all. In his time away from HCCC, he enjoys spending time with
friends, exercising, cooking, and dancing.
v v v v v v
-Julie Richard is a TFT in her third semester with HCCC.
Originally from Canada, Julie has previously taught ESL in
South Korea and has also worked for McDonalds English
Under the Archesprogram. Prior to completing her Bachelors
of Education at the University of Ottawa, Julie studied at Saint
Marys University in Halifax, where she earned an undergraduate
degree in Philosophy as well as a masters degree in International
Development. She currently resides in Jersey City with her
husband and 2-year-old daughter.
v v v v v v
-Homiler Elie Phanor
is a professor of business at
Hudson County Community
College, continues to provide
inspirational workshops,
owns an accounting firm,
serves as a business mentor
for several organizations, is
very involved in real estate
investing, and co-owns
a non-profit organization
that provides healthcare,
education, and food in
Haiti, amid other business
ventures. Professor
Phanor is a Doctor of
Education in Executive
Leadership candidate at
St. John Fisher College.
His dissertation research
involves the understanding
of resiliency characteristics
Homiler Elie Phanor that contribute to academic
success of first-generation
Latino students in community college. You can find out more
about him on his website, www.professorphanor.com.
v v v v v v
-Antonio Acevedo was born and raised in San Diego, CA. He
has a BA in History from California State University, San Marcos,
and an MA degree in History from San Diego State University (Go
Aztecs!). Before he arrived at HCCC Antonio spent time teaching
at San Diego State University, CSU San Marcos, and University
of San Diego. Before arriving at HCCC, he taught World History,
Big History, and a course titled The Ancient World in Film.
Since coming to HCCC in the Fall of 2013, he has primarily taught
courses in Western Civ, including Honors courses, and has also
volunteered with the Honors Student Council. When not working
on history-related items, he is either on a run (loves running),
writing songs (is a musician), at a park or museum, watching
sports, or trying to watch live music somewhere. Antonio loves
HCCC because it allows him to challenge and learn from many
students who come from a similar background as himself
first-generation college students from diverse and economically
disadvantaged backgrounds.
v v v v v v
-Christine Bryant
lives in Asbury Park,
NJ and enjoys its music
culture and prolific art
scene. In 2012, she
achieved a Master of
Arts in English with a
Concentration in Creative
Writing- Poetry from
Monmouth University,
which awarded her
the English Award for
Graduate Study. In the
same year, Columbia
Universitys School
of the Arts awarded
Christine The Writing
Program Scholarship
for their Master of Fine
Arts Program in Writing.
Presently, she teaches
writing and is working on
a manuscript. Her poetry
can be found in the 2011-
2013 issues of Monmouth
Review and Talking
Weeds Press Inaugural,
2014, issue of Wormwood
Online Magazine. Christine Bryant
 Volume 8, Issue 1 Page 11
v v v v v v
-Barbara Lisa-Johnson was born in North Bergen, NJ where
she attended North Bergen High School. She graduated Summa
Cum Laude from Saint Peters College then earned her Ph.D.
in Life-Span Experimental
Psychology from Fordham
University. Barbara also holds
a Certificate in Geriatric
Care. In addition to having
taught for ten years at Saint
Peters College, she has
taught at Fairleigh Dickinson
University, Saint Elizabeths
College, and Monmouth
University. In this, her first
year at HCCC (her title is
Full Time Non-Tenure Track),
she has been impressed with
the respectful comportment
of her students as well as
their motivation to become
successful university-level
students. Her son is an EMT,
a volunteer firefighter, and
college student; her daughter
supervises Compliance at
Bayada Nursing. Barbara
Barbara Lisa-Johnson enjoys hiking, kayaking, and
other outdoor activities.
v v v v v v
-Saliha Yagoubi is
an ESL instructor with
Hudson County Community
College. She earned her
Masters Degree in Theory
of Translation from La
Universidad Autonoma de
Barcelona. She is fluent in
English, Arabic, French,
and Spanish.She easily
relates to her students
because of her experience as
a language learner.Saliha
has deep roots with Hudson
County. She translated for
immigrants and refugees
while volunteering withThe
International Institute
of NJandAmericorps
in 2002. Saliha realized Saliha Yagoubir
she could best empower
this community by teaching English. Recently, inspired by her
students career ambitions, she designed a Learning Community
in ESL/Early Childhood Development.
v v v v v v
-Originally a Spanish teacher, Professor Linda Stephenson is
a (full time) member of the ESL department. She holds master
degrees in counseling and TESOL (teaching English to speakers
of other languages), and has extensive post masters graduate
work in art history and
museum education. Since
joining Hudson County
Community College in
January, 2011, Linda has
taught nearly all levels
of classes in the ESL
program, and is currently
coordinating level 0. She
has also initiated an ESL
book group, actively
participated in Womens
History month activities,
and taken her students on
excursions beyond the
classroom. Linda believes
that the relationship which
unfolds among a teacher
Linda Stephenson
and her students is the key
to successful learning. In
addition to her passionate interests in language, literature and art,
she enjoys bike riding along the Hudson River. In the future,
Linda hopes to resume her love of traveling, stand-up comedy
and jazz singing.
v v v v v v
-Kathryn Buckley lives in
New York and teaches in New
Jersey so she spends lots of
time on trains. When she isnt
grading papers, reading or
writing, she goes to concerts,
spends time with people she
is fond of who tolerate her
and her strange ways, and uses
Fujifilm disposable cameras
to take pictures she actually
has developed because she
prefers the Stone Age to this
digital one. She has an MFA in
Fiction from The New School
and her work has appeared in
From the Heart of Brooklyn
Volume 2, Toad Journal, The
American, Ebibliotekos, 34th
Parallel, XoJane, Eclectica,
Press Play and is forthcoming
Kathryn Buckley
in The Chaffey Review.
 Faculty Senate The Perennial
Newsletter Staff is an independent publication of the Faculty Senate

Hudson County Community College Newsletter Committee. It provides an open forum

of debate and critical discussion of issues facing
25 Journal Square, Room 306
Jersey City, New Jersey 07306 our college and faculty, a community dedicated to
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mferlise@hccc.edu teaching, research and publication. The newsletter
Committee Chair Proofreader receives its funding from a portion of the Faculty
Michael J. Ferlise Harvey Rubinstein
Senate budget that is independently financed by
Editors Layout & Design, Art &
Joe Colicchio Image Editor
faculty and individual contributions.
Michael J. Ferlise Jeremiah Teipen
Patrizia Barroero The December 2014 edition marks the Perennials
twenty seventh publication.

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