TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

Aristotle maintained that we are naturally more likely to be persuaded by a person who, we think, has personal warmth, consideration of others, a good mind and solid learning. I try to teach by example.  Ask any of my former students what the purpose of public speaking is and they will respond that it is always “to change the audience.”  How could I fail to demonstrate in my classroom what I ask of my students?  Rather than limit student's learning to communication theory and practice, I believe it should extend to moral, social, environmental, historical and political concerns and issues.  Most importantly, I want my students to improve their ability to observe, interpret and respond mindfully to their environment.  I believe that each decision we make sends out ripples into the environment with infinite effects.

ACADEMIC TEACHING EXPERIENCE

bulletCALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA:  1989 – Present  Associate Professor Teach full time and, in addition serve on various departmental and university-wide committees, serve as Faculty Advisor to Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority, Advisor for Projects for Humanity association and academic advisor for approximately 35 students. 
bulletRADFORD UNIVERSITY: 1988 – 1989 Assistant Professor During this one year appointment, taught full-time and served on various departmental committees including the professional development and internship committees and the graduate faculty in developing the Masters program in business and professional communication.  Writing justification for change to existing course in interpersonal communication and proposed justification for change to existing course in interpersonal communication and proposed upper level course in interpersonal communication.  Academic advisor to approximately 27 students.
bulletTHE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY: 1977 – 1980 Teaching Assistant/Instructor of Speech Taught communication courses at the undergraduate level for three years.
bulletBORDADOS MATY, S.A.:  1979 English Instructor: Designed and conducted two English courses for personnel of a major Mexican Textile company to improve the conversational competence of the executives and to familiarize computer technicians with English in order to read and understand the computer commands and errors.
bulletEASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY:  1976 – 1976 Teaching Fellow-Instructor of Speech Communication.  Taught courses at the undergraduate level for one year.