Faculty Spotlight- Michelle Barnes
What do you teach at EvCC?
I teach Education and Early Childhood Education (ECE).
Tell us a little about your professional background.
I have a BS in Computer Science and spent my first seven years out of college working as a programmer/analyst in private industry. I got involved with cooperative preschools when our sons were young. The co-ops were part of our local community college programs and included a parent education component. After two years, I was invited to apply for a position as a Parent Education Instructor. I decided to give it a shot, and after a few years, went back for my Masters in Early Childhood Education. I continued to work with the co-ops, as well as teaching for the college’s ECE program on the side. Eventually, I made the move over to the ECE Department, where I worked as a student teaching supervisor in the lab school and taught a full load of ECE courses. During my work in the lab school, I began working on a Doctor of Education, which I completed in 2013.
Why did you choose EvCC?
We lived in Puyallup for 19 years, raising and homeschooling our boys there. My husband took a job in Mukilteo, and after six months of commuting back and forth, he suggested we move. I was reluctant, but eventually agreed, especially when he said I wouldn’t have to work and could focus on my doctoral courses and dissertation. By happenstance, at a state meeting, one of my colleagues from Pierce was sitting with Louise Vlasic, EvCC’s former ECE faculty. Louise mentioned she needed to find someone to work with student teachers and who was experienced in online teaching. My name came up, and the next day Louise called and convinced me to meet her for coffee. She offered me a job as associate faculty, teaching one class per quarter. I felt like I could manage one class and finish my courses and dissertation at the same time, so I said yes. Two years later, Louise retired. By that time, I was in love with EvCC – my colleagues, the campus, the students – so I applied for the tenure position and got the job.
How has the pandemic affected you? How are you doing?
I’m doing okay. We live on our boat at the Everett Marina – in about 350 square feet. With me working at home and my husband retired…it’s a good thing we get along so well! I don’t have a printer, my Macbook is tiny, and all my files are in bags.
But we are making it work! We take walks around the port, sometimes we get our kayaks down and paddle around Jetty Island. Luckily for us, we can take the boat out on weekends and drop our anchor near a deserted beach.
We can hike, kayak, and get away from everything – including the internet. The hardest part of the pandemic is not being able to see our sons, their partners, our granddaughter and our friends. We’re making it work with phone calls, video chat, and lots and lots of pictures of the baby.
How have you adapted your curriculum and teaching methods to support students who are learning from home?
I was scheduled to teach all online courses for spring and fall. However, all of our classes have live observations at childcare centers, preschools, and schools built into them. It was a push to find videos to use instead, and to adapt assignments to videos – not just for me, but for all our Education/ECE faculty. We got it done! Now we have to adapt our fall courses – but it should be easier having done it for spring.
What advice do you have for students who are taking online or livestream classes for the first time?
The biggest challenge with online courses – whether livestream or asynchronous – is being self-directed. You have to remember to log in to Canvas daily, and into each class individually. Being self-directed means making sure you keep up with readings, discussions, and assignments, and asking for help when you need it. Make a plan at the beginning of each week, noting all the assigned readings, discussions, and assignments for the week, including due dates. Map them into your week so everything can get done. Also, read the instructions carefully and look over the rubric the instructor will use when grading the assignment. After you do the assignment, look at that rubric again – make sure anything mentioned there is included in your assignment. Finally, use your email! Ask your instructor questions, get the help you need. And remember, not all instructors read email on the weekend, so ask questions early in the week.
What do you like to do for fun?
Walking, hiking, biking, kayaking, boating, reading, and hanging out with family and friends.
What is your favorite snack?
Dove Dark Chocolate
Anything else you’d like to add?
I love working at EvCC and I really miss seeing everyone, including my students, on campus. I’m looking forward to the day we can see each other in person again – till then, I’ll see you on Zoom!