Jenny Sue Mark

I am an Adjunct Faculty at Baker College, Vista College, Southern New Hampshire University, and University of Phoenix. I specialize in English composition and working with first-year students and adult students who have been out of academia for some time.

Throughout my courses, I have taught introductory composition and English courses, critical thinking courses, university success and skill-building courses for new students, research writing courses, and creative writing courses. I have attended a variety of workshops, conferences, and training classes on working with new students, integrating multimedia into classrooms, addressing the needs of military students, integrating a career focus into classrooms, and maintaining a positive and supportive tone with students.

I have also engaged in faculty mentoring programs for other faculty members, moderated community discussion boards, and assisted with the assessment and scoring of scholarship applications.

I am a regular contributor to New Pages as a literary magazine reviewer, often reviewing two magazines every month.

When not teaching or working on academic related topics, I paint, tend her garden, or make jams, jellies, pickles, and salsas. I enjoy cooking, camping, fishing, and reading. I am an avid science fiction and fantasy fiction reader, often listening to books while multi tasking. My husband and I tend a small orchard, garden, and chickens, and we are expanding our small Southern California “homestead” to include goats and more plants in the near future.

I love to tend to her large garden, where I grow tomatoes, zucchinis, cucumbers, bell peppers, jalapenos, honeydew melons, pumpkins, and various herbs like this rosemary plant. I also have a small collection of various fruit trees.

Making and canning various preserves is a favorite hobby for me. I make jams, jellies, pickles, salsas, and sauces. All time favorite jams include Apple Pie Jam, Peach Cobbler Jam, Mixed Berry Jam, Watermelon Jelly, and Strawberry Jam. Favorite pickling projects include Bread and Butter pickles, Garlic Dill Pickles, and Pickled Jalapenos.

It is always important to let out your creative side, and I express this through painting, crafts, and cross-stitching. I love to work with acrylics on canvas, and our house is filled with paintings – my own, and paintings from my husband, family, and friends.

Education

  • M.A. 2006

    Masters of Arts Degree, English Composition

    California State University of San Bernardino

  • B.A. 2003

    Bachelors of Arts Degree, English Literature

    California State University of San Bernardino

Positions

  • present2017

    Adjunct English Faculty

    Southern New Hampshire University

  • present2017

    Adjunct English Faculty

    Vista College

  • Present2008

    Adjunct Faculty Member

    Baker College

  • Present2007

    Associate Faculty Member

    University of Phoenix

  • 20172013

    Full Time Faculty Member

    University of Phoenix

Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present.

Certifications and Trainings

  • 2017
    Online Language: Communicating with Students, EL105
  • 2017
    Teaching and Organizing a Virtual Learning Environment, EL104
  • 2016
    Creating an Engaging Online Classroom
    In this training, individuals focus on how to make the online classroom experience one that is engaging, energetic, and supportive. I provided details from this workshop in my blog post: Creating an Engaging Online Classroom Workshop Wrap Up, Day 1
  • 2015
    Complying with Academic and University Standards
    In any academic environment, an awareness of proper standards and procedures is essential. This includes an understanding of copyright issues, plagiarism issues, academic honor codes, and facilitator/instructor policies. This course focuses on providing instructors with all of the correct tools to comply with academic and university standards.
  • 2015
    Supporting our Military Students
    This course focuses on the realities of military students’ lives, both on and off the base. It provides guidance in how to work with military students and what to expect in terms of conflicts they may deal with in and out of the classroom.
  • 2015
    Positive Psychology
    This workshop focuses on using positive psychology in the classroom to provide a warm, welcoming, and supportive environment for students. This includes using positive psychology in feedback, grading, and regular communication with students.
  • 2014
    Career Focused Discussion and Resources Workshop
    This workshop focused heavily on integrating career-related discussions into the classroom, helping students to see how this class and its related work will affect and relate to future careers outside of the classroom.
  • 2013
    Academic Improvement Model Tier I and II Certification
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    The Academic Improvement Model (AIM) Tier I and II training certifies faculty members in a highly effective program and delivery system using the ABC facilitation model for instruction.
  • 2013
    Supporting the First Year Student
    This training focuses specifically on strategies to help first-year students adjust to the academic environment and culture while focusing on time management, organization, research, and writing skills.
  • 2012
    Faculty Tone
    In this workshop, instructors and facilitators are taught how to use appropriate tone in communication with students to be supportive, informative, and constructive. The focus is on not being overtly critical, blunt, or discouraging to students so that students feel comfortable contacting the instructor when they have questions, and they feel comfortable in open discussions within the classroom.