Peer Observations

I have had four-five recent peer observations, one by Dr. Marguerite Rippy (who observed two class sessions of EN207), one by Dr. Robert Otten (EN424), and two by Joseph Provenzano of the Center for Teaching and Learning (EN102 and EN340). I use these observations to improve my teaching primarily by acquiring external feedback on classroom dynamic, and to observe my habits in front of the class. I frequently worry that my courses are too challenging or under-managed, and I strive to see my teaching through others' eyes so as to improve this dynamic. Overall, these peer observations notice the challenging, yet accessible nature of my classes, and my deft leadership in discussion contexts. Areas to focus on involve managing my ambition and being sure to explain connections between activities and concepts.

Dr. Marguerite Rippy, senior member of my department, provides an assessment of my teaching. I invited her to observe two sessions in my Spring 2017 EN207: Theater History course.

Joe Provenzano of the Center for Teaching and Learning provides a discussion of my teaching. I invited him to observe two classes in Spring 2017, specifically a writing workshop in EN102: Composition and a lecture in EN340: Major Women Writers. I was interested in how I led the class in these two distinct types of engagement.

Finally, Dr. Robert Otten, who observed EN426: Studies in the Novel, Digital Clarissa course in Fall 2015, provides a collegial discussion of my teaching. In the course he observed, my students were charged with the truly aspirational task of reading Clarissa, an eighteenth-century epistolary novel and the longest novel in the English language. We worked together to create a digital version of it using Marymount's installation of WordPress. I invited him to observe the class both because of his interests in the eighteenth century and concerns I held about the classroom dynamic. I also discuss this class in more detail in the Outstanding Teaching portion of this application.