March 21, 2006 issue
I first taught social work at Catholic University in Washington, D.C.
When I moved to Michigan in 1977, I taught at the University of Michigan
for three years before coming to EMU in 1980. I have been working here
at EMU ever since, and love it.
There is a commitment in this School of Social Work to social justice
and there is emphasis on teaching about social justice and social change.
I love that my colleagues share this vision with me.
I am constantly awed by EMU students' strength and resilience. They come
from all kinds of places: economically, socially and culturally.
I am always learning from their life experiences that they share in and
out of the classroom. EMU is the kind of place where people are given
opportunities.
Since last May I have been in a new role, as director of the school.
I am spending a lot of time helping to build community among students,
among students and faculty and among the wider community and our school.
We work a lot with community agencies where students are doing practicum
and being prepared for professional social work. practice. I probably
will retire within 3-5 years and look forward to spending more time working
for peace and justice causes.
I decided to become a teacher because I wanted to help students to learn
what good social work is about. I felt I could have the greatest influence
on how social work services are delivered by being involved with people
just starting out in the field or returning to increase their skills.
