Photo Exhibit Under Way at Smith-McDowell
Smith-McDowell House Museum will host a photographic exhibit called "Moving the Fire: The Removal of Indian Nations to Oklahoma" through Oct. 24. The exhibit of 19th and early 20th century photographs tells the story of Native Americans who were forced to relocate to Oklahoma and carried bundles of ash and cinders from their sacred fires as they made the journey.
In conjunction with the exhibit, the museum will host a series of special events, including a showing of filmmaker Ron Ruehl's documentary, "The Principal People: History and Culture of the Eastern Band," at 2 p.m. Oct. 3; a program called "Archeology of the Southern Appalachians" by Western Carolina University Professor Anne Rogers at 7 p.m. Oct. 5; and a Cherokee Living History Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 16. For more information, call the museum at 253-9231.
"The Best Teacher I Ever Had"
What makes a teacher great? Why do certain teachers have such a positive and profound impact upon us? This is what one of our Arts and Sciences instructors, Dr. Rock Doddridge, asked our students in a joint research project this summer involving A-B Tech and Western Carolina University.
Students evaluated their "best teacher" according to all the qualities considered most central to great teaching. What was discovered? In a nutshell, great teaching usually builds upon great relationships. Even if a teacher has tremendous pedagogical or organizational or motivational or communication (among other) expertises, the teacher usually does not have a profound influence upon us until we, as a student, first feel very sure and secure in their respect and regard of us.
From 1 to 7, here is how our students ranked the most essential characteristics of "best teachers:" respectfulness, enthusiasm for subject, warmth and positive regard, motivational skill, relational strength, communication expertise, and values emphasized and embodied. The next grouping, in importance, was organization, maturity, interest of subject, teaching techniques, friendship, and authority. Falling further behind was cooperative education, professional distinctions, and personality/appearance.
If you are a teacher, what do you do with this information? Remember that it is not enough that you feel compassion or concern or interest in your students; what is crucial is that they feel it from you. If you want to have a profound and life-changing effect upon your students, learn how to communicate interest in, and affirmation of, your students.
This experiment is being revised and replicated this fall with 200 students at A-B Tech and Western Carolina under the joint supervision of Dr. Rock Doddridge and Dr. Tony Hickey. Results will be prepared for submission to the journal of the American Sociological Association. If this sparks your interest, let Rock know, and he will keep you current on further findings.
A Past Werth Honoring
The 2004 Hospitality Education Scholarship was given in honor of Chef Robert Werth(right), the program's first chef/instructor who helped design and teach the curriculum for the culinary science program. Tim Thomas, A-B Tech graduate and the chef for President George W. Bush at the 2004 G8 Summit, spoke of Chef Werth as a loving mentor who inspired him to give back to the field of Culinary Arts as an instructor. The recipients of the scholarship award were Bethany Butti and Amanda Hollars.
Thank You, Mrs. Causey
Brenda Causey, Department Chair of Nursing, recently received thank-you letters from a third grade class at Johnston Elementary School for her visit to their class on Career Day in 2002. Following is a sample of what the children had to say:
Dear Mrs. Causey,Thank you for coming and telling us about nurses. I wonder if you can help people if they're all ready dead? I did not know that you have a friend named Patrick. What kind of stuff do you do? Do you see something that makes you sick? I want to grow up and be a doctor. You are cool.Your Friend,Tray Clark
Dear Mrs. Causey,What kind of stuff do you teach to your college students? I did not know you could break your ear! How long do you have to go to shcool to be a doctor/nurse? Is it hard to be a doctor/nurse? I think it is! I want to be when I grow up!Sincerely, Kayla Barnett