Suellen Adams, Ph.D.

“Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” –Lou Holtz

 

There is little I can do about the raw talent with which my students enter the learning environment, except perhaps to recognize and foster it. However, I do feel that it is within my purview to aid my students in harnessing their talents into abilities that will serve them as they enter the workplace.

 

To do this I must not only help them to learn the basics of the profession, but also motivate and encourage my students and help them to maintain a positive attitude and accomplish their goals in the best possible way.

 

What I bring to my teaching is the recognition that each of my students is an adult.  As adults, each of them has valuable experiences that can add to the academic conversation as they help one another, with myself as a guide, come to an understanding of the content of each course.

 

I believe in fostering a collegial attitude between students in the course of collaborative class work and discussion. I show the same respect to my students by maintaining a collegial relationship with them, and insofar as is possible an egalitarian one. In my view, we are indeed colleagues navigating the same information landscape, each in our own way, and each with the ability to help others.

 

Finally, perhaps the greatest asset that I bring to teaching is the ability and desire to listen to my students. My own journey as a student and academic has been fraught with significant difficulties. My ability to deal with my own circumstances has always been aided by those who were willing to listen to me. It is from these people that I learned that having flexibility with students who are having issues, good or bad, in their lives is important, but being willing to listen is much more important. It is for this reason that I consider my privilege to share in my students’ troubles and their triumphs.