Alice Sperling Retiring

Alice Sperling. Photo by William Allison.

“I was really angry.”

“I don’t have the energy to give to LBCC anymore.”

These are the statements of many, if not all, of the faculty, both classified and non-classified, that are being let go, either by forced early retirement or just let go entirely.

 

Alice Sperling was one of those people.  Instead of being let go permanently, she was told to take an early retirement two to three years early than expected.  According to Sperling, a lot of the people that were let go are older people and since the people being let go, most of them are not going to be looking for other work.

“This has been a really good place to work and I am sorry to see the direction it has to go,” said Sperling.

Sperling has been employed by LBCC for the past 18 years.  She started out as a classified employee for the GED and ESOL (English Speaker of Other Languages) programs.

You know those evaluations students fill out for instructors towards the end of term?  Well, that is Sperling’s primary job: She works with the college staff to make sure what they’re doing is right when they’re supporting students.  If a teacher gets bad evaluations from their classes, then Sperling is brought in to work with that faculty member. Primarily, what she does is work with faculty and teaches them on how to be a teacher different teaching strategies.

Not only was Sperling angry over having to take an early retirement, but she was angrier about the closing of The Center for Teaching and Learning.

“If they would have said that when you retire, then we’re going to replace you,” said Sperling.  “I don’t think that I am essential to The Center, but I think that The Center is essential to running the college.”

Sperling believes that The Center is in a good place, as of right now, and that if faculty would have approached Sperling or others working in The Center that they could have helped with the transitions.  If instructors or staff of any kind are looking for help with their transitions, please go and talk to Alice Sperling.  She has served on committees and boards and is a good communicator and facilitator. Sperling is very willing to help anybody with the difficult conversations that they’re not able to have by themselves.

Though Sperling and others are either retiring or being laid off, there are others who lost their original job and are transferring. Vicki Keith, as of July 1, will be working in the Admission’s Office. Before this, Keith worked at LBCC for 14 years as a classified employee.

“I feel very fortunate and blessed that I do have an option and I greatly appreciate having that option,” Said Keith.  “Wherever I end up, I am still going to be who I am.”

Once Sperling retires, she plans on keeping herself busy by spending a lot of time outdoors in her garden on her half acre of land. She is also going to look into further educating herself by maybe enrolling in iTunes U, and wants to enroll in free online classes.

Sperling’s retirement becomes official on May 31.

“This has been the most wonderful place to work,” said Sperling.  “I have the best friends.  These are the most committed faculty and staff and they are so committed to students and staff.  That’s what we’re here for.”