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February 21, 2014Dear Dr. Mary Jane Keleher, Sitting Tenure Committee Chair; Dr. Clifton Sanders, Dean, School of Science, Mathematics, and Engineering; Sandra Kikuchi, Faculty Services Director; and Dr. Christopher Picard, Provost of Academic Affairs:As a full time, tenure track faculty member for 3 years at SLCC, I meet the requirements for the rank of associate professor and would like to apply for advancement from my current rank of instructor to the rank of associate professor. In support of my application for professorial rank advancement, I am including supporting evidence documenting my achievements in the 3 areas of teaching, professional development and service to the Biology Department and the College over the past 3 years. I. Teaching: I have completed 3 years of teaching a full course load each semester, including Biology 1090, Biology 1610 and Biology 2020/2025. I maintain a high standard of excellence in teaching as demonstrated by the following: Successfully Completed 3 years teaching full time, tenure track with letters of progress (see supplemental materials: course syllabi Biology 1090, Biology 1610 and Biology 2020/2025, and letters of progress 2012, 2013, 2014). Presented a Cellular Respiration teaching workshop for full time and adjunct Biology teachers (spring 2012) (see supplemental materials: Cell respiration misconceptions and summary sheets)I help students succeed by a) providing a clear and detailed syllabus, access to lecture powerpoints, pdf notes, and review sheets; b) including meaningful writing assignments for students, representative tests and meaningful hand-graded and online homework with prompt feedback; c) maintaining good communication by using Canvas, email and holding regular and frequent office hours; d) constantly updating and improving my lecture materials; e)seeking and using feedback to improve my teaching (from students, other teachers and outcomes assessments); f) providing a detailed syllabus that meets college guidelines and reflects course and college learning outcomes.I mentor and advise students. (letters of recommendation, frequent office hours, accept transfers of students having difficulty into my class)Nominated for the teaching excellence award in 2011 and 2013 (see supplemental materials: Samples of student comments from email, in class and online anonymous evaluations, and e-portfolio reflections) I maintain high student and faculty teaching evaluations of 4+/5. (see supplemental materials: tenure committee summary of my teaching evaluations)I mentor adjunct instructors for Biol 1090 and Biol 2020/2025 (see supplemental materials: record of meetings attended)II. Professional developmentDuring the past three years, I have worked to stay current in my field and to improve my teaching methods. This is supported by the following: I have a PhD in physiology and Developmental biology, and have completed PhD level work in the fields of Pharmacology and Horticulture. I also have an MS in ethnobotany, a BS in zoology and a BA in chemistry. (transcripts on file with HR, copy in supplemental materials)Attended the Society for Evolutionary Biology scientific meetings at Snowbird, UT, in summer 2013. Have attended all Professional Development Days at SLCC since hired.Attended online text book material training for McGraw Hill texts in DuBuque, IA, summer 2013attended McNair scholarship training/information meeting (Fall 2013) and work to recruit students to this programKeep current on developments in developmental biology and cell biology by reading current literatureI work with Tim Beagley on the SLCC Genome annotation projectI attended Professional Planning Day (Faculty Senate Retreat) summer 2013 at the SLC Natural History MuseumI attend professional development seminars offered at SLCC such as Great teachers workshop (Fall 2012), Strengths Quest workshop (Fall 2013), safety workshop (Fall 2013)III. Service:I have served the Biology Department and the College in a number of ways including the following:College service: Faculty Senator for Biology dept. since spring 2012 (serving for 3rd year)Took on teaching cell biology (Biol 2020/2025) when Tim filled a temporary position Mentor adjunct instructors for Biol 2020/2025 and for Biol 1090Lead instructor for Biol 1090 (worked on department final exam each semester, reviewed texts, revised course curricula, assist adjunct professors)a) revised student objectives for Biol 1090 to better reflect subject focus (summer 2013). b)worked to choose a new 1090 text book (March 2013)c) reviewed and updated topics for Taking Sides assignment booklet (summer 2012)worked on CWSLO (college wide student learning outcome assessment) by helping design a rubrick for assessment of critical thinking (Fall 2013) to be implemented spring 2014 in Biol 1090 classes (see supplemental materials: critical thinking rubrick, assignment, and letter to instructors)served on textbook review committee for Biol 1610 and assisted in revising course learning objectives (spring 2013)Member of E-portfolio college assessment team, summer 2012 and 2013Liaison for 4 high school concurrent enrollment programs (Biol 1090 and 1010/1015)Teach 3 sections of itineris Biol 1610 classes each spring semester (2012- 2014).Mentoring students through advising and supporting applications to various programs (such as McNair scholarship program, SLCC genome annotation project, writing letters of recommendation for scholarships, etc)Community service: Concurrent enrollment liaison for the Biology Department and teach itineris studentsWork with Tim Beagley to get grant for the NIH Bridges to baccalaureate program (to create a program that would form a pathway for underrepresented minority students to transition from SLCC to Westminster College and successfully earn a Bachelors Degree in an area of Biomedical Science). I judge at local science fairsI am a boy scout merit badge counselor Thank you for your consideration of my application for professorial rank advancement.Sincerely,L. Rebecca Sperry, PhDSupplemental materials (supporting evidence)1) Letter of support from Tim Beagley, who serves on my tenure review committeeRebecca,I strongly support your request for Rank Advancement from instructor to Assistant Professor.? I do so as a tenured faculty member in the SLCC Biology Department.Tim Beagley PhDInterim Dean School of Health SciencesSalt Lake Community Collegetim.beagley@slcc.edu 801-957-63212) Excerpts of student comments made to me in student evaluations, by email or in E-portfolio reflections. These comments highlight my dedication to teaching and my teaching style. Laura Garcia Biol 1610 F13, reflection from her eportfolio EssayWhen entering my biology class I knew right away I was in for a tough lecture. Especially when a test was handed to the class on the first day and I didn’t know half of the things on that test. Even though I had taken a previous biology class in high school it wasn’t as thorough as this biology class was. Our teacher went through all the chapters with slide shows which helped a lot to understand each chapter or subject. These slide shows helped me to understand the chemistry part, which I can admit I truly suck at this subject, but I learned what makes a molecule polar or nonpolar. I also learned what a hydrogen bond is and the difference between an ionic bond and covalent bond. Not only did I learn about chemistry but about the cell. It still amazes me how one tiny little thing can do so much work just to make our bodies function. Our semester was split into four tests; each test consisting of four to five chapters. The first test really did kick my butt because it was all based on chemistry but I quickly learned that in order for me to understand the subject of biology I had to understand the basics of how elements bond with each other to create proteins, oxygen or water in our human bodies and in animals. Once I got that down I was able to quickly understand the rest of the subjects. In biology you also learn about different types of cells and what better way to learn about them than getting to see them in person. Of course the naked eye can’t see these cells except with a microscope. It was also great to have a biology lab class where you can see through a microscope and understand every type of cell. This helped me to understand plant cells and how photosynthesis works. You would imagine that sunlight and leaves just produced oxygen just like nothing but when you look more into it takes a lot for a plant to produce oxygen. Biology definitely changed my view of plants, animals, our bodies and DNA. I’m glad I took this class and stuck with it through out the semester, even though it was hard. I recommend this class for any student who is planning a career in health-science. -Eportfolio reflection, Braden Chinn Biol 1090 sp13 have gotten so much out of this BIOL 1090 class. It has truly opened up my mind about the human body, and about how life overall works. It has really fascinated me, and got me really interested in the human body, so much that I am considering making biology my major in a couple of years. I look forward to taking more biology classes to further my understanding of how our bodies work.Sarah Winn Biol 1610 sp13 eportfolio reflection 1610-1615 were great courses. I was taken through a very thorough and well prepared description of what makes life tick. I am coming away from this semester having a better understanding and appreciation for properties of life at a micro level and understanding it at the macro scale as well. We covered topics ranging from the Themes in the Study of Life, the Chemical Context of Life, to The Primary Biological Diversity of Life, the Cell, Cellular Respiration and Photosynthesis, to Evolution. I feel as though I have a more clear understanding of the background on biology and that I am well equipped for my future Biology classes. Elaine Ong Reflection Biol 1610 sp 13 HYPERLINK "" into this class, I thought biology 1610 would be somewhat like the biology class I took in my freshman year of high school. Needless to say, it was quite different, and much more in depth, which in turn, made it more difficult. Despite that, I really enjoyed the class, and I learned a lot of new things--most of which tie into the concepts of biology that I had learned in my 9th grade Biology. As we got more in-depth with the curriculum of the class, I started making sense of many of the things that happen around me also (i.e. how plants use sunlight as energy/to grow, the causes of diseases or birth defects, etc.) I find this class very beneficial to simple common understanding of everyday life, as well as knowledge for future pursuit of careers.?Madison Schaaf Biol 1090 sp 13 eportfolio reflection class was very tough for me because I had never taken a biology class before and I didn’t realize how challenging it would be. I learned a lot from this class; I learned about how our human body works and why certain things happen to our bodies such ascancers. I learned about important veins, genetics, evolution, and much more. Iremember the first class our teacher said that when people say “I have a theorythat this person did this because of this,” that was incorrect. I find myselfsaying to people now, “no that’s a hypothesis.” I realize more how much thisclass matters in normal daily life. For example, when I watch Law and Order Iunderstand more of the forensic science stuff when they talk about DNAevidence. I do feel like I received more out of this class than I had expected going into it, and I now I feel that it was important for me to have a basic understanding of. From Ricardo Paez, Biol 1610 F13 (evidence of mentoring students)Ricardo Paez [rpaez1@bruinmail.slcc.edu] 31 Oct 2013, email to mehello ms. sperry its Benjamin we talked about the McNair scholarship when we did the test corrections yesterday. i was looking at the brochure. And I'm really interested i believe i can qualify for the scholar ships. My dad doesn't have his GED my mom only has an associates in business, apart from that I'm Latino. I really need a scholar ship like that it would change my life.Julia Cortino Cell Biol 2020 F13 Dec 5, 2:59 pmJulia Cortino New message... Biol 2020, Fall 2013Dr Sperry,I want you to know I have thoroughly enjoyed this class. The material was fun and you are a fabulous teacher. I think I've changed my focus from gross anatomy engineering to biochemical engineering because of it. I was wondering, though, if you knew anyone looking for a lab assistant? I'd love to work in a lab but I don't even know where to begin looking. Thank you!?From Emily Baker, eportfolio, Biol 1610 F13I have had to take this class more than once, sadly, but I can honestly say this semester has given me an understanding I never thought I would achieve in biology.? I am very grateful I stumbled across my teacher.?? She has an ability to help you break down concepts and her love for the topic is somewhat contagious. From Megan Burton eportfolio Biol 1610 F13One thing in class that I really enjoyed learning about is Mitosis and Meiosis. For one of out group projects we had to draw them out. On the left is my Mitosis drawing and on the right is my Meiosis drawing. Drawing them out really helped me with the tests.I have really enjoyed this class it was interesting and easy to go to class everyday because of how interesting it it was. I had a really good professor which made it a lot better. It was a really tough class because of all the subjects that we learned about but i loved it. Thanks for the awesome class!Bailey Gibbons New message... From Bailey Gibbons, on Canvas email, Dec 10, 2013Thank you for being an amazing teacher! I really enjoyed your class and how you presented the material. You made Biology very interesting and engaging for me!From Zach Snow eportfolio Biol 1610 F13 following three files are all part of a take home assignment I did with some of my classmates. We were primarily discussing cellular respiration at this time. Throughout the semester we had a few assignments similar to this one.I thoroughly enjoyed the whole class, especially working on the take home assignments as a group. It was nice to be able to discuss the assigned topics and clear up any misconceptions I had. This opportunity, to discuss topics with my classmates, proved to be very valuable.I have learned a lot in biology this semester. I now have a good basic understanding of biology, and I am excited to further my understanding in future classes.Canvas Email from Mikayli Booth Biol 1610 F13 dec 12, 2013Mikayli Booth New message... Thanks you so much. You are a great professor and helped me so much this semester. It was definitely the hardest class I have taken yet haha but I really enjoyed it and you made it interesting for me so thank you for that!Taylor Brown has a nice eportfolio with a good TH that I did not save. Also an excellent reflection with detail on the assignment and why it is useful and detail on how this class has changed her life. Eportfolio reflection Elizabeth Chavez Biol 1610 F13 was such a great class! I've never really gotten biology before and my teachers in high school were not that good at teaching the concepts so I never really got it. This semester I found myself constantly learning and understanding what I was being taught. I never really understood cellular respiration, photosynthesis, mitosis and meiosis until this semester. I truly believe that my instructor was the reason that I was understanding these concepts because she took the time to make sure that us students got it. She was also available after hours to help us if we needed extra work. My test scores might not show how well I understood because I get test anxiety but I really do understand. I also loved the group assignments that we did because they were challenging but they also got us to do the work and then talk about it in a group and if we didn't get the same answers we could discuss it until we all got the same answer and understood. I am so glad that I took this class because it has really helped me.more student comments from eportfolio reflections, anonymous in class and online reviews, and emails. 1-From eportfolio: Nathan Boyle Biol 1610 F12 I've really enjoyed this class and I would definitely recommend Rebecca Sperry as a Biology teacher to anyone wanting to learn about biology from someone who really cares and is very passionate about what they teach. Definitely one of the best teacher I've had at SLCC and surely the best Biology teacher!2-From eportfolio reflection statement Jordan Gallegos Biology 1610 December 7, 2012Through the semester I have realized that I have an interest in Biology. I found topics such as evolution and cells to be very interesting. By taking this class it has helped me have a better understanding of how life works which will help me in the medical field. I enjoyed learning from the program mastering biology; if I did not fully comprehend a topic we discussed in class the program helped me have a better understanding and visuals. The writing assignments have also helped me understand a certain topic more; working with other students in the class has allowed me to have another resource to go to understand the materials. I would recommend this class to any student who is willing to work hard for their grade. I have learned a lot and this class will be very beneficial in my career choice. 3-From Jimmy Trihn Biol 1610 F12 e-portfolio reflection HYPERLINK "" to start off, I have learned more than i expected in this class. Biology 1610 was really well taught by Professor Sperry. I learned so much even from my mistakes because of the test correction opportunity she gave the students. What I got most out of the class was from the test corrections i did for my test, not only did it gave us (students) a chance to see what we got wrong to correct it but she also took her time answering question one on one with the student.4-Email message from, Biol 1610 F12, Vu Nguyen New message... I learned so many things in your class, biology 1610 isn't an easy subject but having you along made it a little easier to understand. Thank you so much for helping all of us and sticking with us along the way. 5-Email from Jennifer Russell [jbunders@bruinmail.slcc.edu] Sent: Sat 1/26/2013 1:13 AM To: R SperryI just wanted to let you know that I loved your Biology 1090 class last semester.? I learned more than I ever have in my life about Biology.? I used to say that I hated every science class and that I would never be interested in science, period, but I absolutely loved learning every day in your class last semester. The main reason I am emailing you this, is that I am registered in a Physics 1010 class this semester to fulfill a necessary credit, and my teacher is just.... awful.? I am not learning anything and it is so frustrating to waste my money on a class that I won't learn anything from. I was wondering if you teach physics 1010?? If so, I would much rather take it from you! Thanks for everything :)6-From eportfolio reflections Katilyn Wahlin have really come to enjoy this semester. All summer long, I had been dreading having to take Biology. I had taken a biology class in high school, and did not enjoy it very much. I never felt like I understood anything my teacher was teaching me, and it was very frustrating. This semeser, though, was different.?????I know that I still have no desire to become a Biology major, but I do now find biology interesting. This semester, I believe that I was able to understand the majority of the concepts being taught. This allowed me to enjoy what was being taught, and be able to apply the concepts into my own life. I am an avid runner, so the chapters on Cellular Respiration, and the process of fermemtation was very interesting to me. I enjoyed learning about how our muscles used energy, and how we received O2, and released CO2.??I also really enjoyed the chapters on genetics, and how we receive certain traits.??This semester not only cured me of my dislike for biology, but has allowed me to truthfully say that I find Biology interesting-- not boring or frustrating like before. I am really grateful that I decided to take this course. I know that the concepts I have learned this semester will greatly benefit me in the future. Exerpts from Online evaluations (Biol 1610 F12)specific examples of how this class may have been intellectually stimulating?7-My favorite features along with the lecture were the "talk amongst yourselves" moments where we would explain what we just learned and the group work.?8-This class was intellectually stimulating there was ALOT of material.?9-She was one of the best professors I have ever had. She was kind and had a lot of passion and enthusiasm for the subject. She gave every student a fair chance to work hard and get a good grade.?10-Assignments challenged the student to apply concepts from lecture and text to everyday life, encouraging a broader perspective of the subject matter.?11-Liv Sperry's vast knowledge on the subject made class interesting, Her ability to tie concepts together made it easier to learn the material rather than memorizing facts that are easily forgotten?12- I really liked the teacher's enthusiasm and preparedness. That helped me to change a subject I thought I would never take more classes in into a possible major.What aspects of this class contributed most to your learning??13-Sperry's enthusiasm!, Slides presented during class were very informative and detailed, Lectures followed the book, Her ability to answer questions thouroughly, Appropriate amount of time spent on each chapter, Homework was useful in preparing us for…?14-The structure of this course promoted all learning types. Whereas one may have benefited most from lecture, I found the online homework and individual reflections the most valuable in terms of comprehension of material.?15-The aspect that contributed most to my learning was the online homework with masteringbiology. Not only did it help with my understanding of general concepts but also immensely with test prep.?16-Everything. She is an amazing professor. I learn so much in her class and I love having her as a teacher. She cares that your learning and that you understand everything. She is willing to help you with whatever you ments from anonymous in class course evaluations (Biol 1610 F12)17-Excellent lectures. Test corrections very helpful. Appreciated your willingness to teach me individually. Mastering biology and homework assignments very helpful. Great text. I think the variety of activities, assignments, etc really made the material more meaningful. 18-willing to explain things. Willing to take time out of your day to make sure we succeed. Also made biology really fun even though it was really hard. I can tell you want student to understand and get the info. You were so patient with all of us and it was a hard subject for me so I was grateful for that. 19- the most helpful thing for me was the mixture between the visuals and the explanation, and the “talk to each other” portion. You were an amazing instructor. Not only did I learn more than I thought I would, but you made it very interesting to me. Thank You. 20- You were a hard instructor (u passing class required a lot of work) but I learned so much in this course.21- I have never had an instructor lecture in a way that made the information interesting and flow as smoothly. 22- You taught in a way I understood and you had a lot of enthusiasm for the subject which was contageous. The class was well prepared. I felt prepared for tests and you love teaching the subject. 23- Very interesting lectures- ties in a ton of real life examples of science in our world, answers in class questions well. Simple explanations that build up through expanded knowledge → little precursors of information that can be used or better understood when further knowledge is acquired. I loved the group writing assignments- the paper allowed me to solidify my understanding (or expansion of) a certain topic, etc through written word. Groups allowed for discussions & corrections. I LOVED lectures. I missed once and felt bad. 24- very approachable for questions on class topics. I liked all the different resources like the online assignments & writing assignments. I liked them because they made you think differently. You are here for students and love what you are teaching. You make lectures interesting and enjoyable.B: Example of student writing assignment #2: (Keith Knighton, Jared Knighton, Nathan Summers, Biol 1610 Sp 2013). (as part of this assignment students identified 4 misconceptions and explained how they fixed)Question 2 Misconceptions. A misconception that was found while discussing cellular respiration in our group was the exact role that oxygen plays in aerobic respiration. We knew that oxygen was present during aerobic respiration, but we were not quite sure of the exact step or location that oxygen was used. We originally thought that oxygen was required for each step in aerobic respiration. After discussing it further we were able to see that oxygen is used only in the final step of aerobic respiration, oxidative phosphorylation. In oxidative phosphorylation NADH and FADH2 transfer electrons to the electron transport chain and the electrons then move down the chain losing energy in each step until they are finally passed to oxygen reducing it to water. So oxygen ends up being the final electron acceptor in oxidative phosphorylation, without oxygen to accept the electrons the entire chain would back up and aerobic respiration could not take place.Another misconception that we had as a group was what the difference between anaerobic respiration and fermentation was. We thought that anaerobic respiration was the same thing as fermentation. In both anaerobic respiration and fermentation oxygen is not present and so cannot be the final electron acceptor. But in fermentation electrons are not passed onto an electron transport chain, instead the final electron acceptor is an organic molecule such as pyruvate (lactic acid fermentation) or acetaldehyde (alcohol fermentation). In contrast anaerobic respiration passes electrons onto an electron transport chain, with the final electron acceptor being a molecule that is electronegative (although less than oxygen) such as nitrate or sulfate. A third misconception we had as a group was whether or not the electron transport chain actually made ATP. After discussing it we discovered that the electron transport chain itself does not make ATP; instead it creates a hydrogen ion gradient. As NADH and FADH2 pass electrons into the electron transport chain the electrons attract hydrogen ions into the protein complexes of the electron transport chain and when the electrons are passed from one protein complex to the next, hydrogen ions are moved across the inner mitochondrial membrane from the mitochondrial matrix into the intermembrane space. This causes a hydrogen ion gradient because there are more hydrogen ions in the intermembrane space than in the mitochondrial matrix. This gradient is used by the second step in oxidative phosphorylation called chemiosmosis. In chemiosmosis the transmembrane protein complex ATP synthase functions like a mill, powered by the flow of hydrogen ions. This flow of hydrogen ions generates the energy to place a phosphate group onto an ADP and make ATP. So it isn’t the electron transport chain that makes ATP it is the hydrogen ion gradient that the electron transport chain made that the ATP synthase uses to make ATP.A final misconception we talked about as a group was the location that the linker step or the oxidation of pyruvate to acetyl CoA took place. We thought that the linker step took place outside of the mitochondria in the cytosol, like glycolysis. However, the linkers step doesn’t take place in the cytosol like glycolysis, but instead it is done inside the mitochondrion. After the glucose molecule is changed into the two molecules of pyruvate during glycolysis, and if oxygen is present, then the pyruvates enter the mitochondrion through a transport protein. The pyruvates must use a transport protein because they are charged molecules and cannot cross the membrane without the transport protein. Once the pyruvates are moved into the mitochondria they are converted into a compound called acetyl CoA by a multienzyme complex that catalyzes three reactions. Accordingly the linker step does not take place in the cytosol with glycolysis, but instead is done inside the mitochondrion along with the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. Question 3. We know that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but it can be transformed and transferred (1st law of thermodynamics). Sunlight continually inputs energy into plants so they can continue to transform and transfer that energy in order to make it more useful to the plant. The transformation of energy from one form to another requires energy consumption and whenever energy is used some of it is lost through entropy in the form of heat. This energy loss makes it so energy cannot be recycled and therefore necessitates a constant input of energy from sunlight. Converting energy occurs in both photosynthesis (sunlight to sugar) and cellular respiration (sugars, from the plants, to ATP) and both lose energy through heat as they convert/transform energy into different forms. This obeys/supports the first and second laws of thermodynamics. 8705853737610 ................
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