Teaching Philosophy, Methods, and History

I was a Lecturer at the Department of Linguistics at SUNY Stony Brook, as well as an Adjunct Lecturer in the Department of Middle and High School Education Lehman College, in the Bronx, New York. At SUNY Stony Brook, I have taught American Sign Language (SLN111; SLN112) for the past eight years. In the last two years during my lecturer appointment, I taught Language in the United States (LIN200), Sociolinguistics (LIN542), Advanced Grammar and Composition (ESL193), Bilingualism (LIN541), and Second Language Acquisition (LIN532). I was part of the ESL program at SUNY both as an adjunct instructor, and full-time lecturer since 2006. At Lehman College, I directed the Master's TESOL students, both traditional and those under the CUNY Teach For America program. I guided them in the writing of their thesis chapters and revision process. I have also taught Second Language Learning and Teaching (ESC760), (ESC725)Teaching English Grammar and (SPE 703) Language and Linguistics.

I would describe my teaching as a mixture of traditionalism and modernism. I still believe in and use a Socratic method of instruction, where students question ideas on the way to building their knowledge of course content. I am a nurturing, yet strict instructor. I maintain a very eclectic classroom, where students have an opportunity to excel using varied materials. It is not unusual to see my using You-Tube clips with a media projector one session, yet back to chalk and blackboard the next. My background in gestural language makes me a very interactive instructor; most of my activities are designed to spark conversation and questions. I take great pride in exposing students to global issues, including racism, social class distinctions, and language discrimination. I believe in making certain students see the applicability of what they have learned for their own marketability as employees and for improving the lives of others they touch. I wish for them to see that passion for one's work doesn't have to die once one becomes a professor. I regularly share with them what I am researching, and hope my energy inspires them as linguists.

Last, I have taught both undergraduates and graduates, each of whom is a unique human being, with varied feelings, ambitions, and difficulties. Many are juggling careers, families, and academic work; therefore, I create a classroom that is sensitive, yet consistent and fair for the new generation of young students. No class session passes without laughter; no class session passes without a challenge.

Courses Taught  2010-2011:

Language in the US LIN200 (SUNY)
Survey of the languages and language-related issues in the United States. Topics include Native American languages; immigrant languages; dialectal variations (e.g., Black English); the domains in which these languages were and are used; maintenance and loss of minority languages; language contact and its effects; the use of Spanish; language attitudes and politics is including bilingual education; and official language movements. Particular attention is paid to the evolution of American English from colonial times to its present world-wide status; the use and impact of Spanish; language attitudes and politics including bilingual education; and official language movements.

Language and Linguistics SPE703 (CUNY)
Introduction to the scientific study of language with attention to the major component of linguistic theory: phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, psycholinguistics, and sociolinguistics. This course places emphasis on the multicultural and multilinguistic differences in the analysis and application of linguistic theory.

Project Seminar - Portfolio Development ESC708 (CUNY)
Development of a culminating curriculum project in candidates' field that includes an analysis of contextual factors; integration of prior coursework and research; theoretical foundations of the discipline; learning goals; assessment plan; design of instruction; technology; analysis of student learning and reflection on teaching practice. PREREQ: Departmental permission.

Sociolinguistics LIN542 (SUNY)
An introduction to major topics in sociolinguistics, including variation theory, language attitudes, language planning, language change, and pidgins and creoles.

Bilingualism LIN541 (SUNY)
Study of the social, linguistic, educational, and psychological aspects of bilingualism.