Feb. 10, 2009 issue

I have three degrees from Eastern Michigan University. My undergraduate degree is in electronic media and communication. I earned my secondary teaching certificate here and then my master's in comprehensive communication. While completing my master's, I was a graduate assistant and I loved the experience of teaching. I decided to pursue teaching what I love — communication and electronic media — to students here.

I do a lot of hands-on teaching and I feel that it gives the students a real-life perspective that they can take with them. They have the opportunity to actually use the equipment that they would find if they were working in the field.

Along with their classroom learning, I also really like the different service-learning components that exist by having students work within the community. It gives students a chance to utilize the skills that they have learned and put them into action. I also like that it gives back to the community.

The diversity that the students bring to the classroom allows room for so many different perspectives. It creates a whole group learning process that I like.

I enjoy working as a co-faculty adviser at Eagle Radio. I'm there to make sure everything is running smoothly. Since we have taken the station to the Internet, students are now able to get more listeners. They can tell their family and friends where (Eagle Radio is online) they are on the air. It makes us global, in a sense.

The faculty that I work with is another reason I enjoy teaching here. It is a really close group in my department. Everyone is willing to help each other, and share resources and information. — Contributed by Heather Hamilton

 

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