The Faculty Affairs Newsletter is sharing faculty members’ unique take on the question “what are three things that help?” The question is purposefully vague so that we have a range of perspectives.

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Tammy Welchert

Just as important as taking care of our students is taking care of our selves and our teams! The SBC Advisors set up a Group Me in anticipation of working at home. I have been sending cards through the mail and sharing pictures and updates of me walking with Mr. Diggity, funny memes, and Bitmoji’s. Sharing helps us stay in touch to support and encourage one another.

Pictured above: Mr. Diggity

TikTok

I know, I know, what am I doing on TikTok at 50 years old. It’s my 15-minute laugh break every day — okay sometimes a couple of times a day. It’s good to see families coming together to make videos, to share stories of triumph, to hear funny antidotes, and to try some cool new science stuff. Did you know you can make slippers from balloons? I have laughed so hard I cried at some of these!

Pictured above: My daughter Kristina when she and I hiked Half Dome in 2014.

There is no friend like an old book

I have always enjoyed reading but right now this is a perfect way to escape for an hour or two. Some of my favorite books are biographies of people who have hiked the Pacific Crest Trail and the Appalachian Trail. I picture myself out there, making it on my own out in the wild. It satisfies my soul and lets me recenter to keep going.

Thank you to Tammy Welchert for sharing her three things. This is set up with a readers write format. Want to share your three things? Fill out the entry form and they will be included in the next issue. Even if there are many responses – we will figure it out.

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Resources Mentioned

TikTok videos – an example

@neildegrassetyson

What will Martha Stewart find to be dusty where you hang out? #science #fortyou #foryoupage

♬ Star Wars – Produced – Ettore Stratta

Group Me

Trails

The Faculty Affairs Newsletter is sharing faculty members’ unique take on the question “what are three things that help?” The question is purposefully vague so that we have a range of perspectives.

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For me, personally, I find the following three things helpful in this season:

1. A sitter.

I have hired someone to help engage my children when I need to buckle down for the sake of productivity. I’m helping a high school student who is also out of school earn some money, while helping keep the right relationship dynamic with my children. Expecting them to conduct themselves as adults while I’m teaching via zoom isn’t realistic, and neither is believing I can work well while playing with them. I’m able to prioritize my most essential tasks and schedule them during time when they are busy with the high schooler who is helping me. Setting designated productive times, and ensuring I’m not getting edgy with my kids or spouse has been invaluable and offered some much-needed balance for me. Things have fallen from my spinning plates, but not as many because of this intentional step.

2. An online community to continue normalcy.

I’m in a small group at church which is meeting online now, as well as our childrens’ church, daily devotions, and weekly services. They are streamed online and available on social media so that whether I’m using a computer or just my phone, I can access community when I need to. We have chats in all of them to remain close; we express and recognize needs and help to support each other. I would venture to suggest we might have grown closer as a community this way than we do chasing children and volunteering on face to face Sundays! Keeping a sense of normalcy and schedule has been helpful and reassuring to our family.

3. Encouragement and support from my colleagues.

It would be easy to feel distant from close friends we work with and isolated in what we’re doing, but luckily I don’t. I have lots of means to communicate with my work community, and we have! Most people who were teaching face2face three weeks ago don’t have the confidence and experience with teaching exclusively online now. I feel welcome to contact the two online program directors in my division for help and guidance, and they always have reassurance, resources, and patience for me. In this circumstance, like in other troubling times, a word of encouragement, and genuine concern go a long way.

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Thank you to Julie Sutton who volunteered to go first. This is set up with a readers write format. Want to share your three things? Fill out the entry form and they will be included in the next issue. Even if there are many responses – we will figure it out.

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