Adjunct Instructor - Physics

Duties and Responsibilities

Application Pool Notice
Laredo College continuously accepts applications for part-time (adjunct) instructors to create a pool of candidates for each session/semester. Applications will be reviewed, and positions will be filled based on department needs. Applications received for this pool will remain active for one year.

Position Requirements
Upon employment, the candidate must reside in the state of Texas.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Adjunct faculty instructors are essential in carrying out the college's mission, vision, core values, and institutional goals. Under the direction of the respective Department Chairperson/Program Director/Director, adjunct faculty instructors ensure the quality and integrity of the academic programs and deliver the curriculum and instruction. The essential duties include providing a high-quality learning environment, delivering effective instruction, assessing student learning, promoting continual improvement in teaching and learning, and encouraging student engagement. Adjunct faculty instructors must participate in departmental and college professional development as the Department Chair/Program Director/Director instructs. Adjunct faculty instructors must adhere to all LC policies, procedures, and guidelines, including DH (LOCAL) Employee Standards of Conduct.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

1. Course Organization and Management
   • Develop, evaluate, and revise course objectives to ensure instructional quality and curriculum alignment with THECBs ACGM and/or WECM, SACSCOC Principles and Standards, and other applicable accrediting agency standards and outcomes.
   • Utilize the Laredo College Learning Management System (LMS), known as CANVAS, to organize and publish all current instructional materials prior to the first day of classes.
   • Maintain an accurate and updated syllabus through Concourse each term/semester.
   • Maintain students attendance records, submit grades and grade distribution sheets on time, and provide timely constructive feedback to students.
   • Follow procedures and the academic calendar related to the Office of the Registrar, including grade reports and deadlines, attendance records reports, withdrawal deadlines, class changes, and time and room scheduling.
   • Counsel students and notify students or counselors of frequent absences, failures, or necessary make-up work (when applicable).
2. Effective Delivery of Curriculum and Instruction
   • Deliver curriculum in conjunction with LC policies, ensuring course rigor, academic integrity, and quality of instruction.
   • Review and revise curriculum and instructional materials.
   • Ensure courses and educational programs align with transfer frameworks and workforce placement to meet current industry demands.
   • Utilize a variety of teaching techniques to assess student learning needs. Integrate real-life situations into learning experiences to encourage critical thinking, interdisciplinary skills, active learning, and teamwork.
   • Use technology appropriately to design and support relevant learning activities that develop students' understanding of discipline-specific thinking practices and create academic literacy.
   • Consider individual differences of students to design and support a range of appropriate learning activities.
3. Assess Student Learning and Pedagogical Methods that Drive Continuous Improvement
   • Collaborate with colleagues, chairs, deans, and the provost/vice-president of academic affairs across the institution to continue improving measurable learning outcomes, including the THECB (Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board) core curriculum objectives and other applicable accrediting agency standards and outcomes, and participate in Institutional Effectiveness/Program Reviews.
   • Appropriately measure and assess ACGM and WECM end-of-course learning outcomes and any applicable accrediting agency standards and competencies.
   • Design and align assessments with learning objectives and opportunities that measure or demonstrate student academic achievement.
   • Regularly assess student performance and provide timely constructive feedback.
   • Evaluate teaching and assessment practices to continue improving them.
4. Faculty Non-teaching Responsibilities
   • Hold at least 30 minutes of online office hours per class, 15 minutes before and 15 minutes after each lecture, laboratory, or activity class meeting. Office hours must be communicated in the syllabus and posted in CANVAS.
   • Facilitate all assigned courses in the online learning environment in a timely and consistent manner, including regular engagement with students and adherence to established course schedules. Maintain virtual office hours and be available for student support during designated times.
   • Complete all evaluation measures, Title IX, and other training the institution provides.
   • Attend meetings called by the college Department Chairperson/Program Director/Director or the Office of Dual Enrollment (when applicable).
5. Professional Development
   • Shall participate in mandatory professional development activities required by the college, division, and department.
6. Faculty Departmental Responsibilities
   • Assist in submitting assessment plans for their respective discipline and/or program, which includes program reviews, course assessments, and institutional effectiveness reports.
   • Faculty must participate in department, discipline-specific, and college activities and serve and be active in department, college, cross-college, discipline-specific, and /or district committees.
   • Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders such as other higher education institutions, program advisory council meetings, and public and private K-12 schools/districts.
   • Participate in the development and implementation of retention and persistence plans.
7. College-wide Participation
   • Participate in assessment and compliance practices such as Quality Enhancement Plan, General Education, SACSCOC IE assessment, and/or other accreditation processes.
   • May participate in community advisory councils on behalf of the colleges interests.
8. Perform other duties assigned by the Department Chairperson, Program Director, or Director, respective Dean, Associate Provost (when applicable), Provost/Vice-President of Academic Affairs, and President.

ADDITIONAL CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SPECIFIC TO THE POSITION

1. Teach online courses in the designated discipline.
2. Direct library research or other outside assignments.
3. Encourage students to utilize campus resources such as the Library, Tutoring Center, Counseling Center, and other support services.
4. Communicate required course materials to Library and Writing Center staff to support student access and success when needed.
5. Provide a safe learning environment for students.
6. Follow established procedures for requesting instructional supplies and submitting absence reports promptly.