Community college adjunct faculty: Picturing pedagogies of care

Abstract

This article focuses on how adjunct faculty at a large Midwestern community college enact pedagogies of care, which is a teaching philosophy and practice grounded in a deep and holistic care for students.

Transforming developmental education at community colleges through equity‐minded leadership

“…Learning communities and connections made through student services also develop into sense of belonging, which can increase student retention and success (Strayhorn, 2018), particularly for first‐year students (Johnson et al., 2007) and students from minoritized backgrounds (Vaccaro & Newman, 2016). Moreover, culturally responsive teaching (Gay, 2018; Ladson‐Billings, 1994) is a pedagogical approach that challenges teaching norms (Larke, 2013; Ortiz et al., 2021), including benefit in community college teaching (Doran, 2021; Flynn et al., 2017). Our study supports and adds to this literature by highlighting how faculty and student success deans utilized these strategies to validate corequisite students’ experiences so they can be successful in subsequent college‐level coursework.…”

Transactional and Stopgap Relationships Between Community College Department Chairs and Their Adjuncts

“…Increased engagement with adjunct faculty can result in enhanced student experiences in classes taught by contingent faculty (Layou et al, 2022). Department chairs should focus on a depth of knowledge including teaching practices, content development, and adjunct faculty input when not having to prioritize essential onboarding measures (Anthony et al, 2020;Linder, 2012;Ortiz et al, 2021). Parttime or adjunct instructors continue to teach more course sections at institutions across the country, as such ripple effects will reach more enrollees, positively impacting the institution itself (Xu, 2019).…”

“…Initial efforts should include conducting interviews for adjuncts when they are being hired to foster a greater professional relationship at the beginning of their institutional experience (Wicks et al, 2020). The opportunity includes allowing adjunct faculty to conduct a teaching demonstration to offer department chairs first-hand observation of their educational philosophy in action (Ortiz et al, 2021). Additionally, making greater use of institutional obligations can build academic fellowship with adjunct faculty to cultivate a stronger faculty or academic culture (Layou et al, 2022).…”

Addressing community college students’ basic needs (in)security through mutual aid as pedagogy.

“…This can be facilitated by small and large group activities, in-class discussion, and actively encouraging students to connect course content to their lives. And the instructor must employ a relational, care-centered pedagogy (Mehrotra, 2021; Ortiz et al, 2021). In my experience, coming into solidarity with students was a key component in facilitating a psychologically positive and relational classroom atmosphere (Latz, 2012).…”