Faculty Spotlight: Todd Patten
Dr. Todd Patten is an L.P.C. and an Associate Professor of Education in our Professional Counseling: Clinical and School program. I managed to catch him in the break room the other day as he waited for the next pot of coffee to brew. While he waited on some caffeine, he agreed to an interview and this is what he had to say!Me: How many years have you been in the field of education?
Todd: About 15 if you include the work I did at the children’s home.
Me: What made you decide to become a teacher?
Todd: I wanted to have a wider influence than I could just from being a counselor.
Me: What is your favorite thing about your job?
Todd: The students and being able to be a part of their lives. The whole idea of mentoring them is
awesome.
Me: What is your favorite class/subject to teach?
Todd: I have two favorites really. My first is the DSM class. It’s challenging and it creates a map to help people get better. The other one is the Experiential Counseling because I get to know the students really well. It’s also a lot of fun since we do lots of different things; low ropes, equine-assisted therapy and art therapy.
Me: What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you in the classroom?
Todd: There have been a lot of funny moments in class but most wouldn’t be funny out of context or I’m not at liberty to share. I do have an embarrassing story though. It was back when I was first teaching college and I thought I was all professorial. I was walking up and down the aisles and stroking my beard, asking lots of Socratic questions. I had one student who was intently following me around the room and would even turn around to watch me. I thought “wow, this student is really interested in what I have to say. I must be so captivating”. She came up and talked to me afterwards and explained that she was hard of hearing and needed to read lips and that it would be a lot easier for her if I would stay in one place instead of wandering around the room. Talk about a lesson in humility – here I thought I was just that interesting and it turned out I was actually making it harder for her to learn!
Me: What do you like to do in your spare time?
Todd: I like to hike, be outdoors, hunt, ride my bike and just exercise in general.
Me: If you could travel anywhere in the world all expenses paid, where would you go?
Todd: Probably a game reserve somewhere in Africa.
Me: What is your favorite season and why?
Todd: Spring just because it’s a rebirth of everything and the weather turns nicer.
Me: If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be?
Todd: I’d like to meet Michelangelo… [laughing] because I think he needed counseling! I’d also like to meet Abe Lincoln just because he was such a great leader. I think both of these guys would be interesting to meet – and now that I think of it, Abe had some anxiety issues too – maybe he needed counseling too!
Me: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Todd: Do not be afraid.
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