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Teaching Philosophy
My experience has shown that students have a wide range of learning
styles and preferences. Therefore, I use a variety of teaching methods
in my classes, including
some short "lectures" to introduce and explain new material
and a lot of varied, hands-on work and discussion applying course
concepts. I stress the writing process as a
way for students to explore, focus, develop and organize their ideas and
to express those ideas in an effectively revised draft. Because past
students have found models helpful, I often write projects
along with my students and/or share work done by students currently in
class or from previous semesters. I also ask students to write for a
variety of situations ("real-life" as well as academic) in
order to help them learn how to adapt their writing strategies to
different types of readers and purposes. Regular self-assessments help
students fine-tune their writing and learning skills and strategies and
provide vital course feedback throughout the semester.
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Bio
After
teaching composition at Penn State University for several years, I
joined HFCC’s English Division as a full-time instructor in 1995. Here,
I have taught most of the composition courses (English 086, 093, 131,
132 and 135) and been involved in many groups and committees
college-wide, including the Center for Teaching Excellence and
Innovation, which has been an invaluable resource for expanding and
improving my teaching strategies. A reformed biologist, I earned a
Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor,
and then got a Master’s degree in English from the University of
Virginia in order to pursue my interest in writing and teaching. |
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Professional Activity
In addition to teaching composition, I am active on many
committees within the English Division and college-wide. Highlights of
my professional activities include directing the Center for Teaching
Excellence and Innovation (a professional development program for HFCC
faculty), chairing the Business and Technical Writing Committee, and
serving on the Retention Advisory Committee. Additionally, I am Vice
President of Internal Affairs for the HFCC Federation of Teachers,
American Federation of Teachers, Local 1650, a union representing HFCC
faculty, counselors, and librarians.
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