TEACHING EXPERIENCE Full
Time
Metropolitan Community College - Longview (institutional name change
effective
October 2005)
Longview Community College, Lee's Summit, MO 64081-2105
August 1990 to Present
Institution does not provide nor recognize faculty ranking - all
have title of "Instructor."
Courses: General Psychology, Adjustment & Personality, Child Development, Industrial & Organizational Psychology, Behavior Management, Interviewing & Interpersonal Communication, Adolescent Psychology, Developmental Disabilities, General Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology, Honors Seminar: "Deconstructing Tarzan" (Spring 1999), Honors Seminar: "The Disney Phenomenon: The Man, Myth, and Marketing" (Spring 2001).
Committees: The Plague - LV Common Reading Initiative (2008-2009); Convocation 2008 Planning Committee; North Central Association Accreditation Committee on Mission and Purposes; GenCAT Writing Assessment/Writing PAGE; District wide Writing Intensive Task Force; Faculty Excellence Committee (chair 1992-1994); Developmental Education Initiative, Advisory Committee; Parking Ticket Appeals Committee; Longview Faculty Association Executive Committee; Faculty Resource Center Committee; Youth Worker Certificate Development Committee; Developmental Disabilities Worker Certificate Committee; Faculty Senate (1998 - 2001); Faculty Advisor for Longview Psychology Club, New Faculty Mentor.
Special Assignment: Peer Teaching Review Coordinator.
As part of the the Faculty Resource Center, 3 hours release time to
develop
and institute a program to help faculty use the experience and
expertise
of their colleagues to improve and/or review various aspects of their
teaching.
(Academic year 2000 - 2001).
Psychology
Discipline Coordinator: Select, oversee, schedule, and
evaluate adjunct professors in Psychology. Participate in hiring and
annual review committees for the college and the district. Provide
first level response for student comments and complaints regarding
psychology faculty. (Aug. 2003 to Dec. 2007)
Part Time / Adjunct
University of Missouri, Kansas City, MO.
North Shore Community College, Beverly, MA.
Cerritos Community College, Norwalk, CA.
North Orange County Community College District - Adult Education
Division, Fullerton & Cypress, CA.
Coastline Community College, Fountain Valley, CA.
Courses Taught as an Adjunct Faculty
Psychology:
General Introduction to Psychology
Psychology of Adjustment - Emeritus
Adjustment & Personality
Developmental Disabilities (senior level)
Human Services:
Theories & Case Discussion
The Human Services Worker
Special Education:
Human Sexuality for the Developmentally Disabled
Concepts for the Developmentally Disabled
Sensory-Motor Development
Adaptive Physical Education
Social Studies - Emeritus
Current Events
Assist with Course
Crisis Intervention - Human Services Program - CSU, Fullerton
High School Dual-Enrollment Substitute
Covered 11 week leave for dual credit General Psychology course
at Hickman Mills High School, Kansas City, MO. January 26 to
April
5, 2000.
SABBATICAL - Fall 1997
Worked in conjunction with area governmental and private agencies
in developing an MCC certificate program and new course for persons
training
to work providing supports for individuals with developmental
disabilities.
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
Institutional
Hogan Regional Center - Community Living Unit - Hathorne, MA.
"Senior Psychologist (level III)" Responsible for the
psychological,
behavioral, psychiatric, and neurological needs of clients with mental
retardation and multiple handicaps. Developed and monitored behavior
plans
and data collection; inserviced staff on behavior modification plans,
provided
training on psychological issues; participated in discipline review,
contributed
to interdisciplinary team approach; reviewed and selected referred
clients
as part of a team; selected, trained, and supervised
Psychologist I's; served as "Potentially Aggressive Client" (PAC)
trainer.
Individual and Group
Health & Educational Services, Inc. - Topsfield, MA.
Individual and group psychotherapy with dual-diagnosed clients.
Developmental Disabilities Center of Orange County -and-
Harbor Regional Center (Southern Los Angeles County)
"Educational Consultant" Provided counseling for
developmentally
disabled persons individually and in groups, regarding issues of
sexuality,
mature interpersonal interactions, sexual abuse resistance, and related
concerns.
Schick Centers for the Control of Smoking and Weight
"Senior Therapist" Provided behaviorally oriented treatment
of smoking, overeating, and obesity-prone eating patterns. Trained new
staff, served as guest speaker for local schools and colleges, and
wrote
weight treatment manual and informational pamphlets.
American Cancer Society - Orange County, CA Unit
Cancer Support Group at Lucky's Supermarket Headquarters
California State University, Fullerton
Led training groups in Crisis Intervention
Supervised leaders for training groups in Crisis Intervention
Co-Leader in a Personal Growth Group as part of a course.
PUBLICATIONS
Bringing Psychoanalytic Ideas to the Undergraduate Classroom:Resources for Instructors"The Pursuit of Happiness" (May 28, 2004)
Lee's Summit Journal,
May 28, 2004, p. 5, Guest Column.
"Busy
Professional Involved Dads" - in press.
A chapter in a
book on fathering. Addresses ways that men can
be devoted to both job and active involvement in their children's
lives.
"What is Common Sense?"
web site: http://www.mcckc.edu/longview/ctac/psychology/commonsense1.htm
An investigation of, and commentary on, the concept of common
sense. Published on the Internet as part of the Longview
Community College Critical Thinking Across the Curriculum Project,
this series of pages includes an interactive test, explanations of
counter-intuitive
examples, and fallacies that might lead one to think of something as
common
sense.
Active Communication. (1996) Brooks/Cole, Pacific
Grove,
CA.
An interdisciplinary text which assists students with becoming
competent in therapeutic listening and speaking skills. An active,
hands-on,
approach to learning.
Instructor's Manual for Active Communication. (1996)
Brooks/Cole,
Pacific Grove, CA.
An instructor's manual to accompany the above text. Includes
Teaching philosophy for a course in therapeutic listening, teaching
suggestions,
exercises, and test questions.
"Encounters with Oedipus Rex" (1995) Full Time Dads.
No. 13, Jan/Feb 1995. pgs 1, 14, 15.
An examination of Freud's concept of the Oedipal Conflict and
how it played out in the author's relationship with his oldest son.
"Fatherhood's Future: A Special Report - A Divided Future"
(1994).
Full
Time Dads. No. 9, May/June, 1994. pgs. 9, 10.
One of a collection of essays by various authors, on the future
of fatherhood.
Weight Treatment Manual
An in-house publication for the Schick Centers written to
standardize
treatment for all national Schick Centers.
Weight Treatment Information Pamphlets - Schick Centers
A collection of pamphlets on weight loss, healthy diet, and other
topics, published in-house for clients.
WORKSHOPS, PRESENTATIONS, and INSERVICES
"Cultural Climate in the Classroom""The Psychology of Terrorism"
Invited Lecture at Des Moines Area Community College.
September 25,
2003, February 12, 2004; September 30, 2004;
February 24, 2005; October 6, 2005; January 31, 2006; October 17,
2006; February 20, 2007;
“Words Can’t Describe” – Using Creative
Response
Assignments
"Board & Card
Games: The Benefits to Education"
Presentation to the L.E.A.R.N. Home School Support Group. Kansas City,
MO. September 27, 2004.
"Extended Time on Examinations and the Level Playing Field"
Poster Presentation with Mary Ellen Jenison, of Longview C. C.; and
Jim Russell of Webster U. in St. Louis MO.
40th International Conference of the Learning Disabilities Association
of America.
Chicago, IL, February, 2003
"How Children Learn and Un-Learn Prejudice"
Missouri State Conference for La Leche League.
November, 2002.
"Longview's Journey to 'College of the Year'"
Panel with Mary McMullen-Light, Matthew Westra, Gene Fenster, and Janet
Wyatt.
Consortium for Community College Development (CCCD)
Organizational Change and Development: Where's the Beef?
Kansas City, MO. June 17, 2002
"Parenting, School, and a Busy Life"
Presentation for the Re-Entry Center and the Single Parents'
Organization.
Longview Community College, March 20, 2002.
"Writing Across the Curriculum at Longview and MCC"
Informal presentation/discussion for faculty at Richard J. Daley
College,
Chicago, IL. March 13, 2002.
"Setting a Course for Collaborative Leadership: The Path to
College
of the Year."
Panel with Mary McMullen-Light, Matthew Westra, Brian Mitchell, and
Dick Diklich.
Chair Academy's 11th Annual International Conference for Community
College Leaders.
Kansas City, MO. March 2, 2002
"Clinical Pastoral Education: Communication Skills Building."
Presentation as part of CPE course work, also made available as
inservice
education hours for hospital staff.
Driscoll Children's Hospital, in association with University of Texas.
Corpus Christi, Texas. November 15, 2001.
"Mastery Teaching: Reconnecting Your Discipline with Your Soul."
Workshop on course design, syllabus design, and teaching strategies
as part of the Professional Development for Adjunct Faculty 2001
Workshop
Series. April, 2001.
"A Time-ly Achievement: Writing Assessment in the New
Millennium."
Co-presenter with Ann Dvorak and Cindy Herbert.
The 2001 Summer Assessment Academy of the Council of North Central
Two Year Colleges.
Flagstaff, AZ. July 30, 2001.
"Strangers in a Strange Land: Experiences teaching a dual credit
course in an area high school."
(co-presented with Keet Kopecky)
Longview Community College - Faculty Resource Center. April, 2000
"Fathering: Where Does Dad Fit in with a Mothering-Intensive
Breastfeeding
Parenting Style?"
Missouri State Conference for La Leche League.
November, 1999.
"Lunch and Dessert with Matthew Westra and the Longview Critical
Thinking Web Site"
Critical Thinking Conference, sponsored by the Longview Critical
Thinking
Assessment Committee and the Kansas City Professional Development
Council.
September 18, 1999
"Achieving Happiness in the New Millennium"
Address for the Induction Ceremony of Phi Theta Kappa, the Community
College Honor Society.
March 28, 1999
"What Works?: A Faculty Forum on Course Projects"
Longview Faculty Resource Center. Co-presenter, Mary McMullen-Light,
WAC Coordinator.
February 17, 1999
"The Involved Parent: Working and Parenting" (with Megan Hannan)
Missouri State Conference for La Leche League.
November, 1998.
"Sending Clear Messages" (with Cheryl Westra)
Missouri State Conference for La Leche League.
November 14, 1998.
"Critical Thinking Across the Curriculum"
West Shore Community College, Scottville, Michigan.
Co-presenter,
Michael
Connelly, Philosophy Instructor.
September 4, 1998
"Rewards and Punishment"
Teaching Demonstration. Longview Community College Fall Opening Day
Inservice.
August 21, 1998
"Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change as Applied to HIV Risk
Populations."
(with Steve M. Cohen)
Kansas City, MO Health Department, Communicable Disease Control
Division.
December, 1997
"Fathering: Challenges and Opportunities."
Missouri State Conference for La Leche League.
November, 1997.
"Intercultural Communication"
Central Missouri State University, Social Work Graduate
Organization
conference on Racial and Ethnic Harmony.
March 13, 1997.
"Fathering Toddlers: a general discussion exploring a father's
expanding
role in his child's life."
Missouri State Conference for La Leche League.
November, 1996. Repeated November, 1997.
"The Psychology of Terrorism"
Guest lecture for "PolSci 380A - Politics of Terrorism" course at
University
of Missouri at Kansas City.
May 22, 1996, updated and repeated July 3, 1997.
"Raising Socially Responsible Children"
Prairie Star District Annual Conference.
Kansas City, Mo. April, 1996
"Communication for Couples"
Missouri State Conference for La Leche League.
November 1995
"Encounters with Oedipus Rex"
International Education Forum & International Men's Day.
1994
"Assertiveness in Social Services and Social Work"
National Association of Social Workers, CMSU Chapter. 1993
"Disability - Defined by Access"
National Organization of Human Services Educators. 1993
"Exercise Programs: Why people stay, why people stray"
Longview Recreation Center. 1993
"Personality Profiles" (The Myers-Briggs Types and their Use)
Longview Recreation Center. 1991, 1992, 1994.
"Potentially Aggressive Client (PAC) Training"
Hogan Regional Center. Two presentations in 1989.
"Overview of Behavior Modification"
Hogan Regional Center. Several presentations in 1989.
"Transitional Adjustment"
Hogan Regional Center. Several presentations in 1989.
"Human Awareness" (Sexuality Issues among Institutional and Group
Home Residents)
Hogan Regional Center. Several presentations in 1989.
"Masculinity - Exploring a Changing Sex Role"
North Orange County Community College District. 1988.
Radio talk show guest - Station KCEB, Norwalk CA. 1988.
Life issues radio show. Discussed my work on sexuality and people
with disabilities.
"Crisis Intervention with Cancer Patients"
American Cancer Society - Orange County CA Chapter. 1986, 1987,
1988.
"Sexuality and the Disabled Elderly"
Holiday House, Ltd. 1987
"Sensory Deprivation and the Disabled Elderly"
Beverly Manor Convalescent Hospital, Anaheim, CA. 1986.
MISCELLANEOUS & MEDIA
National
Geographic Channel - Taboo
Spokesperson for National
Geographic Channel - Taboo
British Broadcasting Corporation
(BBC)
Contacted by BBC-TV2 producers for the show Horizon for research
and comments on an upcoming program. July 4, 2006.
"Up to Date" on KCUR, Kansas City's National
Public Radio station.
Guest with Kriss Miller on the topic of Home Schooling and the
LEARNapalooza home schooling conference.
Kansas City, MO. May 25, 2004. Up to Date link here.
Archived
for streaming audio at this link.
National
Geographic Society Television
Commentator on the episode "Extreme Living" of the third season
of the program Taboo.
Interviewed March
19, 2004. Washington, D.C.
"American Styles of Homeschooling"
Co-Presented with Cheryl Westra
Informal interaction with members participating in the U.S. Dept. of
State's International Visitor Program, in a series of events titled
"Teaching Methodologies that Promote More Effective Learning"
Participants were education professionals and governmental officials
from Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Oman, Syria, West Bank, and Yemen and
their two translators. February 6, 2004.
TEXTBOOK and CHAPTER REVIEWER
Review and assess textbooks and chapters in Psychology, Human
Services, and Anthropology. Publishers include Brooks/Cole, Wadsworth,
Harcourt Brace, Prentice Hall, HarperCollins, Longman, Houghton
Mifflin, and others.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Governor's Award for Excellence in
Teaching, 2005-2006
Criteria include: nomination and selection by faculty peers, effective
teaching and advising, service to the school community,
commitment
to high standards of excellence and success in nurturing student
achievement.
Unprecedented second award given to one faculty member.
Governor's Award for Excellence in
Teaching, 2003-2004
Criteria include: nomination and selection by faculty peers, effective
teaching and advising, service to the school community,
commitment
to high standards of excellence and success in nurturing student
achievement.
MCC Foundation Board - for "Vision Campaign" Leadership. 2004
Princeton Review / Time Magazine
College of the Year, 2000-2001
Recognition for the college was based on the extensive Writing Across
the Curriculum program at Longview. I have been a core member of the
WAC team and process that brought the college this recognition. The
award reflects the immense team efforts. I was interview for, and
quoted in, the article announcing the award.
Who's Who Among Human Services
Professionals
1987
Who's Who Among American Teachers, 3rd Edition, 1994
Who's Who Among American Teachers, 8th Edition, 2004
Who's Who Among American Teachers, 9th Edition, 2005
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES &
VOLUNTEER WORK
Member of the Board of Directors, Global
and Multicultural Education Center (G.A.M.E.) 2002 - present.
G.A.M.E. Newsletter Editor, 2006 - present.
Sexuality Education Trainer. Our
Whole Lives (OWL) Curriculum for
grades
7 - 9, developed by Unitarian Universalist Association and the
United
Church of Christ.
Train-the-trainers workshop
(March, 2000), Plan and Deliver
curriculum as part of a teaching team, 26 session program, repeated
beginning April 2000, January 2002, December 2003, January 2006,
January 2008.
Librivox.org - Reader for H. G. Wells "The Country of the Blind" for
public domain audio recording.
Access & Download here: http://librivox.org/librivox-short-story-collection-vol-021/
Librivox.org - Reader for "A Plea for Captain John Brown"
by Henry David Thoreau for
public domain audio recording.
Access & Download here: http://librivox.org/short-nonfiction-collection-vol-009/
Sierra Club Lemonade Stand - SantaCaliGon Days in Independence,
MO.
Every September since 1991 (except 1997).
New Fathers Support Hotline, North Shore Birth Center (9/89-8/90)
Fathers' Support Group - Leader, North Shore Birth Center (Developed
and implemented program.)
FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENT HOSTING
Student from Japan - 1
month exchange, July / August, 2006.
Student from Germany - 1 year exchange, 2000-2001.
Student from Finland - 2
month temporary emergency placement, August - October, 1999.
Student from Germany - 1 year exchange, 1998-1999.
Student from Germany - 1 year exchange, 1995-1996.
CALIFORNIA TITLE V CURRICULUM REVISIONS
Coastline Community College, Fountain Valley, CA.
Participated in revisions for Psychology, Anthropology,
Sociology,
and Political Science.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
American Psychological Association Division 2 - Teaching of
Psychology
Council of Teachers of Undergraduate Psychology (CTUP)
Organization for the Study of Communication, Language, &
Gender
The ARC
Federation of Small Anthropology Programs (FOSAP) of the American
Anthropological Assn.
G.A.M.E. - Global and Multicultural Education Center (Board Member 2002
to present), (Newsletter Editor, 2006 to present)
Missouri Community College Association (MCCA)
POLITICAL
and RELIGIOUS AFFILIATIONS and ACTIVITIES
Active, but not appropriate to address here.
LINK
TO Matthew Westra's HOME PAGE
| Last Updated: October 21, 2008 |