Teaching Philosophy

Teaching Philosophy 

Dawn S. Booker 

Strategic Communications/Adjunct Journalism  Professor 

I have worked in communications, marketing and public relations for more than 20 years in various industries and sectors. After many years working in the private sector, in 2012 I decided to pursue a graduate degree in global communication. To that end, I moved to France to attend the American University of Paris.  A strong desire to teach on a university level served as a primary motivation for taking this step in my career path. Further, I chose to pursue this degree in France and to have an immersed and holistic experience because I believe that this is the best way to truly learn and master a discipline.   

It is my intention to apply my previous work and teaching experience along with the transformative experience of living, working and studying in Europe to inform my teaching.  I believe that a student does not learn by merely understanding the principles of a discipline, but he/she must further understand how that disciple applies in a global context and how the discipline can be used practically in the “real world.”   

As an educator who is still a working professional, my experience serves as an asset when teaching undergraduate students, as I am able to provide specific examples and practical use of the theory that they may encounter while studying communications principals.  

As an adjunct professor at Bennett College in Greensboro, NC teaching Introduction to Public Relations and Marketing, I am viewed as both an educator and mentor.  My classroom is:

Additionally, I believe that theory can be presented in a manner that allows students to connect applicable theory and its relevance to a chosen career path.  Students should be exposed to concepts and ideas that challenge their thinking and beliefs and in some instances transforms them.  My classroom is participatory with a standard of excellence and preparedness that is demonstrated by me as the example of what I expect.