Teaching Philosophy

My philosophy of teaching involves active participation of students and instructor in the learning experience. This can be challenging when the students may desire direct and clear cut decisions to theory and clinical opportunities. My goal is to provide the framework that will assist the students in identifying the problem, determining solutions, evaluating the solutions for the situation while basing these steps in the professional guidelines of nursing. I do treat each of my courses as an experience from which I, too, can learn something. My goal is to find ways to teach more effectively with available resources. The challenge is to take content that may appear ambiguous, uncertain, and sometimes contradictory in nature and to find direction of clinical problems. I continue to learn from experience, literature, expertise of faculty, and conferences about the dynamics of teaching and about my discipline so I can improve my effectiveness as an instructor.

A major undertaking that has affected my philosophy of teaching and leadership is that I am currently enrolled in a doctoral program in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. The self-reflection that has occurred in the past two years of course work has assisted my in identifying areas of opportunities in my teaching and leadership. I have developed my personal philosophy of leadership based on my review of my leadership styles, my experiences in leadership, and my perceptions of the future need of leadership in nursing. I am continuing to expand my leadership as a formal and informal leader through involvement in department, college and university committees. I have completed my coursework and successfully passed written and oral comprehensives and am currently developing my dissertation.

*Clinical courses taught in nursing are limited to supervising 10 students per one instructor. Theory courses and nursing electives can be taught be individual or team instructors.
Professional Teaching Experience

2001- present  Assistant Professor (tenured) of Nursing, University of Central                         Missouri, Warrensburg, MO
1994 - 1996    Adjunct, Assistant Professor of Nursing for Central Missouri                           State University, Warrensburg, Missouri
1991 - 1994    Adjunct Instructor of Nursing for University of Alaska,                                    Anchorage, Alaska, teaching health assessment and                                         fundamentals clinicals
1985 - 1991    Assistant Professor (tenured), Central Missouri State University,                       Department of Nursing, Warrensburg, Missouri
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