Teaching

Teaching Statement:


My teaching philosophy is simple: my goal is to increase a students’ confidence and skills in usage of the English language. I am here to encourage and support the student; my classes are student-centered and interactive. I am a believer that the key to good writing is reading, and so we read a variety of material from essays to fiction. I also include a film evaluation in my course curriculum. My classes are centered on respect. First and foremost, I create a safe environment for students to uncover and experiment with their original ideas. My class involves a fair amount of impromptu writing and reading, as well as carefully facilitated peer editing. This might seem intimidating to a new student who has never before written nor shared his/her writing, but my student evaluations have shown that the group work is what my students have enjoyed the most. In addition to learning basic principles of MLA, metaphor, character, style, setting, clarity, theme, citing sources, and more – my students learn how to be teachers to one another. The learning grows exponentially. While I have a particular interest in creative nonfiction, my composition curriculum also includes film and fiction. My overall objective is for students to discover their own abilities to think and analyze through the English language.  

Student comments:

"Throughout the course, I was able to improve not only as a writer, but also as a reader and a peer to my fellow students."

"Composition I has helped my writing immensely. Your teaching style and your kindness have really helped me find out how to write a lot better."

"I am grateful for the opportunity to have nurtured my writing during this time and to apply what I have learned in Composition I to any future writing I do. Thank you, Terri, for sharing your talents and wisdom with not only myself but with others as well."

"I personally really loved being in this class, I learned a lot from you teaching me."

"I liked your revision process of allowing us to pass our papers around so that we could help each other while helping ourselves by reading others' opinions and views. . .I learned a lot in your class and I really enjoyed every minute of it. I looked forward to my Monday nights."

Teaching Experience:

Composition Instructor, Fall Semesters 2010 and 2012

Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny, Iowa
Course: Composition I

• Teach writing for evaluation and clarity using essay and film as mediums
• Teach the elements of creative writing using the novel The Road by Cormac McCarthy
• Instruct on MLA style format
• Incorporate methods for writing prompts, student portfolio, and peer review

Writing Workshops “Creative Writing Playdate”

• Teach creative writing workshops to adults
• Creative Nonfiction concentration

Consulting, 2009-2010

• Researched, wrote, and taught fifth grade lesson on the Haitian Slave Revolt
• Researched, wrote and produced annual report for Harbor of Hope addiction recovery center
• Directed Summer Arts Camp for at-risk youth, Evelyn K. Davis Park, Des Moines

Global Education Manager, 2004-2009

Lutheran World Relief International Aid Organization, Baltimore, Maryland

• Designed and delivered the Virtual University webinar program program
• Planned, promoted, and conducted international Travel Seminars
• Recruited and trained a nationwide Speakers Bureau
• Launched nationwide Fair Trade coffee campaign
• Wrote and produced promotional materials
• Supervised university student interns

Webinars Created, Marketed and Conducted:

Humanitarianism in Conflict Zones

Forgotten Disasters: Malaria, Sudan, Tsunami and the “CNN” Effect

Water and Climate Change

Reconciliation in Israel and the West Bank

How Fair Trade Transforms Ghana’s Chocolate Industry

Arms to Farms: Conflict Resolution in the Philippines

Peace Building in Colombia, Sudan, and Northern Uganda

The Agricultural Value Chain

Empowerment of the Dalit, or “outcaste” Women in India