TLF is here to Help

When many of us think of TLF or Teaching and Learning Facilitation, we think of Courtesy Patrol.

TLF is much more than Courtesy Patrol. It is comprised of three areas:  Technical Support, Courtesy Patrol, and Clerical Support.

[image 1]Just recently TLF, which is located in Mountain Laurel Hall room 135, has changed its look. Modular furniture has been added to provide more private workstations to those faculty members who don’t have a dedicated workspace. The new look has already created a buzz since TLF employees are hearing positive feedback from adjunct faculty.

Both adjunct faculty Rubye Melton and Elizabeth Olvera –  long time users of TLF –  said they were a little apprehensive with the new look but now realize it’s more effective in getting their work done.

“I like the privacy I have now and I actually have more table space in spreading out,” said Rubye, who has been using TLF’s services for 10 years.

Valarie Fluellen, the new TLF evening/weekend operations manager, said since school began nearly 100 instructors came through the area utilizing their services. 

[image 2]Just some of the services TLF provides include helping instructors troubleshoot technical issues in the classroom and out of the classroom, use of the copy and scanning machine, access to office supplies, use of multimedia equipment, lock boxes for personal items, use of projector equipment and creating employee photo ID cards. TLF provides backup support to the IT area which includes password resets, Banner ID issues, and maintenance of Xerox copiers across the campus. TLF also has a dedicated area for SDEV instructors since many of the SDEV classes are taught in MLH.

[image 3]Its Courtesy Patrol provides an escort service that helps students and employees get to and from their vehicles if they need assistance due to a temporary injury.  In addition, the Courtesy Patrol creates a campus-wide presence to support DPS officers to help monitor parking lots and promote campus safety. 

“TLF essentially takes over college operations at night and on the weekends. TLF is a great team of people who love to serve others,” Valarie said. “We make sure that instructors have what they need to conduct class and we want adjuncts to know we are here to help them.”

[image 4]That help will extend to include workforce engagement of adjunct faculty to meet Baldrige initiatives, which is something Valarie and Jimmie Bruce, vice president of Academics, are spearheading. Valarie is preparing to provide training and development to adjunct instructors on a variety of topics to help them get acclimated them to the college community and the NVC culture.

Though for some instructors like Susan Street, she has found on her own how much a resource TLF can be.

“I bring them brownies every semester. They are like my babies. I don’t have an office and I’m not tenured and they really keep me going,” said Susan.