Showing posts with label educational leadership. Show all posts
Showing posts with label educational leadership. Show all posts
Faculty Spotlight: Usen Akpanudo
Today I had the privelege of interviewing one of our Ed Leadership professors, Usenime Akpanudo (Usen or Dr. A for short). Originally from Nigeria, Usen has all sorts of rich experiences to share and I enjoyed visiting with him this afternoon. Here's what he had to say!
Me: How many years have you been in the field of education?Usen: About 20
Me: What made you decide to become a teacher?
U: The decision was kind of made for me. My family manages several private schools in Nigeria. When I graduated, I had a teaching job waiting for me. My undergrad degree wasn’t in education but I switched at the Master’s level. I realized that I really enjoyed it and I’ve been doing it ever since.
Me: What is your favorite thing about your job?
U: I enjoy teaching. It makes me feel useful and that’s always a good feeling. I enjoy working with people and this job puts you right in the middle of that!
Me: What is your favorite class/subject to teach?
U: Research Methods – Many students see the words Research Methods and automatically think it’s going to be a class that they hate. I get to sell the idea to them that it is actually valuable information that they will use and that they will actually enjoy it.
Me: What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you in the classroom?
U: The most recent funny thing that happened is that I had a student in my summer class and she was kind of my go-to student; the one I could ask questions to and I knew she would answer. I found out halfway through the class that I had been calling her the wrong name! It was funny but also embarrassing!
Me: What do you like to do in your spare time?
U: I enjoy broadening my perspective so I spend a lot of time reading various materials. Students often ask some tough questions in class and I like to be up-to-date on what’s going on.
Me: If you could travel anywhere in the world all expenses paid, where would you go?
U: Right now I’d probably say China. I’m just interested in learning more about the country with one of the world’s largest demographics and a rising economy. I am just curious to find out more about them and what they’re all about on their own turf.
Me: What is your favorite season and why?
U: I like Spring apart from all the allergies. I like the idea of a new beginning and that is what Spring symbolizes to me.
Me: If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be?
U: I would love to meet an ancestor of mine from 5 or 6 generations back. I like learning about the history of Nigeria but unfortunately there isn’t a ton of information recorded. I would love to talk to one of my ancestors about how Nigeria was back then and what it was like.
Me: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
U: An important thing I heard from multiple sources growing up is that it is important to know who you are. We have a tendency to try and be like other people and “fit in”. You can appreciate where others are coming from but you have to know who you are, where you came from and what makes you unique.
Faculty Spotlight: Diana Julian
Yesterday I had the pleasure of sitting down with Associate Professor of Education, Dr. Diana Julian. Diana came to us from the Arkansas Department of Education and that experience has been a huge asset to our Ed. Leadership department. Here's what she had to say!
Me: How many years have you been in the field of education?
Diana: 42 years
Me: What made you decide to become a teacher?
D: In the 50s and 60s, teaching was considered a good profession if you wanted to be a wife and mother because your schedule was supposed to align with your kids’ schedules. Over the years however, that definitely wasn’t always the case!
Me: What is your favorite thing about your job?
D: The people and the culture at Harding. I came to Harding from state government which can be a pretty cutthroat environment. I just really appreciate the culture at Harding and being able to be surrounded by Christians.
Me: What is your favorite class/subject to teach?
D: Leadership classes because that’s what it’s all about. If we can get Educational Leaders revved up it is easier to raise the quality of teaching and student learning.
Me: What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you in the classroom?
D: I took one year off from teaching when I had my first child but I would still substitute teach occasionally. My identical twin sister is also a teacher and one time she had me sub for her. She had told the kids in advance so at least they weren’t tricked into thinking I was my sister, but the kids were so intrigued that they watched my every movement and one student finally said “not only do you look the same but you even do things exactly the same way as our regular teacher!”
Me: What do you like to do in your spare time?
D: I like to work in my flowers. I also have 4 grandchildren that I love spending time with.
Me: If you could travel anywhere in the world all expenses paid, where would you go?
D: I’ve always been interested in traveling to some of the countries that are supposedly “out-educating” the United States just to see what it is in fact that they are doing!
Me: What is your favorite season and why?
D: I really like the weather in the fall but my favorite has to be late fall/early winter because I love the holidays. I love Thanksgiving and Christmas. I come from a big family and holidays were always a special time of all the family getting together. Even though I only have 2 children of my own, I still try to carry on the traditions of big family get togethers around the holidays.
Me: If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be?
D: I think I’d like to meet Margaret Thatcher. She had a lot of influence, did a lot of things well and was greatly respected by a lot of other leaders.
Me: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
D: “No matter how angry/upset you are with a person, always leave them with their dignity”. My Mother and Dad used to tell me that all the time and I think it is great advice.
Faculty Spotlight: David Bangs
Earlier this week I caught up with Dr. David Bangs, Associate Professor and Director of Educational Leadership here in the College of Education. As you may recall from a previous post, the Ed Leadership office has undergone a lot of changes this summer and therefore David is a very busy man. I'm glad I got to catch him for a few minutes and get his answers to the following questions!
Me: How many years have you been in the field of education?
David: I’m starting year number 32. I was in public education for 27 years and now I’m starting my 5th year at Harding.
Me: What made you decide to become a teacher?
D: The influence of other teachers I had had over the years.
Me: What is your favorite thing about your job?
D: Helping people move to another level. Leadership is about influence and a strong leader can influence others. If we can build people up to become strong leaders, we can have an incredible influence over a lot of people and really further our mission.
Me: What is your favorite class/subject to teach?
D: I was teaching a Personnel class that I really enjoyed but now I’m teaching everything from the overview class to preparing them to present a portfolio. I like being able to see the whole process from start to finish.
Me: What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you in the classroom?
D: I teach administrators and you know they can tell funny stories all day long. I’m probably not allowed to share most of them though!
Me: What do you like to do in your spare time?
D: I don’t get to do it very often but I do like to go golfing and hunting and as crazy as it may sound, I like to mow my grass!
Me: If you could travel anywhere in the world all expenses paid, where would you go?
D: I’d probably see where my wife would like to go – she’s a big fan of sandy beaches so probably somewhere tropical.
Me: What is your favorite season and why?
D: I like the fall weather that’s rolling in now. And fall is when football starts! [David has played and coached this sport in the past so he's a big fan]
Me: If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be?
D: I’d like to meet Barnabus because he was such an encourager.
Me: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
D: “Be a good listener”. I live with 4 women (3 daughters and a wife) – this advice comes in handy!
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