Philosophy |
| Teaching has always been a
passion for me, whether dealing with athletes as a coach or students as
a professor. There is nothing quite as satisfying as having a
positive effect on the lives of your students and experiencing with
them the satisfaction of advancing cognitively or learning a new motor
skill, and in the process, becoming more adept in their chosen
field. Along these lines, I feel that it is inherent upon any
teacher to challenge and guide their students towards an appreciation
of learning and provide them the means to learn how to learn. In
order to accommodate the diverse learning styles encountered in the
classroom, a teacher must be able to offer a number of diverse learning
experiences. In my classes the students are taught using power
point displays (which include visual aids such as imported videos and
images), live demonstration, group activities such as an academic
scavenger hunt, peer group discussions, peer teaching, written
assignments and teaching young children. We have review sessions
that incorporate verbal and written quizzes as well as creative
activities such as utilizing game show paradigms and team
contests. Although my courses are always rated as quite
difficult, the feedback from the students via the evaluation process is
positive. I am constantly looking for new, challenging and creative
ways to enhance the classroom experience. There is definitely a symbiotic relationship between scholarly activity and teaching. Continued involvement in reading, research and writing provides the means to remain conversant with the most current and relevant information in a chosen field. This, in turn, allows the transferal of this information to students in the classroom. Service is an integral part of being a member of the teaching community. It offers the opportunity to interact with members of your academic community and others on a regional and/or national basis, resulting in a positive exchange of ideas and information. As with research, this involvement will result in a better understanding of current and pertinent information both on and off campus. |