February 2021 Newsletter | Issue 6
Webster Staff Alliance
The Webster Staff Alliance (WSA) affirms that staff are a vital part of the Webster University community. Our purpose is to build an active staff community that engages staff members across departments and campus locations in support of the University mission; to serve in an advisory capacity to University Leadership on the issues and concerns of our diverse constituency; and to support staff professional development opportunities.
WSA Common Read
The Webster Staff Alliance is excited to announce its Common Read Book Club Selection for Spring 2021, “From Equity Talk to Equity Walk: Expanding Practitioner Knowledge for Racial Justice in Higher Education” by Tia Brown McNair, Estela Mara Bensimon. 
 
From “Equity Talk to Equity Walk" offers practical guidance on the design and application of campus change strategies for achieving equitable outcomes. Drawing from campus-based research projects sponsored by the Association of American Colleges and Universities and the Center for Urban Education at the University of Southern California, this invaluable resource provides real-world steps that reinforce primary elements for examining equity in student achievement, while challenging educators to specifically focus on racial equity as a critical lens for institutional and systemic change.
 
Working alongside the generous staff of Emerson Library, the WSA will provide your choice of joining a Common Read Discussion Group on a Tuesday or Thursday every third week once a month through May. Staff can choose Tuesdays 7:00 am – 8:00 am (CST) or Thursdays 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (CST). Once you are all signed-up we will send you a link to access your electronic copy along with an invite to join us on Teams.   
 
Be a part of the experience.

Sign up for your discussion group today!  
2020-21 PD Funds
The Professional Development Funds Committee will consider applications for professional development opportunities for which attendance adheres to the University's travel restriction policies (online training course, virtual conference, etc.).

Applicants would also need to meet the eligibility requirements as laid out in the Staff Professional Development Funds Policy and Procedures.

The Webster Staff Alliance encourages all faculty, staff, and students to submit nominations to help recognize the outstanding work of Webster University staff members. Last semester, the Gorlok Greats Committee received a record number of nominations and this semester our goal is to reach over 100 nominations!

The Gorlok Greats Award was created by the WSA to help recognize staff members whose achievements, whether an individual act or sustained effort of exemplary service, relate to Webster University strategies and support the University’s values and mission. The nomination period runs through March 1.             
Reflections on Teaching in a Pandemic

The 2021 Teaching Festival occurs almost one year after faculty, staff, and students experienced extreme disruptions created by the global coronavirus pandemic. Our University community navigated new ways to teach, learn, and engage amidst this backdrop of uncertainty and unrest. The 2021 Teaching Festival, an all-remote event, aims to create the opportunity to reflect on the ways that teaching and learning has changed in the past year; to acknowledge hard work, sacrifice, and loss; and to begin to form a shared vision of what the future of teaching and learning looks like as a result of these historical times.  

Monday, February 8: Caring for ourselves and our community 
Strategies for Supporting Mental Health and Wellness for Both Students and Faculty during the Pandemic
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. CST

Reflections and Practice in Supporting Gender Expansive Communities
12 p.m. - 1 p.m. CST

Tuesday, February 9: Exploring new definitions of presence and mobility 
Teaching Abroad from Home
9 a.m. - 10 a.m. CST

Expanding Our Ideas of Instructor Presence – Interdisciplinary Lessons from the Pandemic and Beyond
11 a.m. - 12 p.m. CST

Wednesday, February 10: Teaching the moment and learning from the challenges 
Creating an Inclusive Online Environment: Best Practices to Share for Faculty and Students
9 a.m. - 10 a.m. CST

“Teaching” COVID-19: Considerations When Implementing Current Events into the Classroom
11 a.m. - 12 p.m. CST

Thursday, February 11: Connecting and collaborating with peers 
Teaching and Caregiving During the Pandemic: A Faculty Panel Discussion
9 a.m. - 10 a.m. CST

Digital Strategies Sharing Community Discussion
2 a.m. - 3 p.m. CST

Friday, February 12: Working with students to find new paths to learning 
Global Student Panel: Learning in the Virtual Classroom - What Works Best?
9 a.m. - 10 a.m. CST

What Webster Students Think about Learning During the Pandemic: Student Survey Results
11 a.m. - 12 p.m. CST
Members of faculty and staff may now make use of Marletto's Marketplace and Crossroads in the University Center via the Bite Universities app. 

You may pre-order items with the Bite Universities app from either location for pick up. You may connect a credit card for purchases or establish a GorlokBucks account, information for which can be seen at https://websterdining.sodexomyway.com/my-meal-plan/index 

Note: when downloading the app, make sure you are downloading the one pictured and not the version with a blue background. Visit this link for more information about accessing the Bite Universities app here:  https://websterdining.sodexomyway.com/bite/
Linkedin Learning
Have you explored the course catalog in LinkedIn Learning? If you haven't, it's a great time to access your free subscription to the learning management system and begin exploring opportunities for virtual professional development.

Check out the link below for our featured module this month.

Professional Development Day
The annual WSA Professional Development Day will look different this year due to current restrictions on gatherings. The Special Events team is excited to announce their plans for a week of virtual events. Mark your calendars for the week of Spring Break. More information will be forthcoming.

Professional Development Week: March 8-12, 2021
Webster Staff Alliance