Faculty Excellence at UMUC

Interviewer:

Please tell us about yourself—what made you decide to teach at UMUC? What kind of work do you do when you are not teaching at UMUC? Are there any life experiences that have influenced your teaching at UMUC? If so, please share one story.

David White:

There was a period in my life when I was looking for gainful employment. I saw an ad in the "Chronicle for Higher Education" for instructors for UMUC, and after investigating the program I applied and was fortunate to be hired.

UMUC is my full-time employer. When not teaching I am either doing geologic field work in the Ryukyu Islands and/or photographing anything that is of interest.

Interviewer:

How would you describe your teaching style or philosophy? What experiences or person(s) have influenced your style or philosophy?

David White:

My teaching philosophy is passion for the subject! A number of my former professors occasionally sneak out of my mouth during a lecture.  There are several people that have influenced me, including Dr. Tracy Vallier, Dr. Alan Stueber, Dr. Greg Marland, Mr. Harold Shiplock, Mr. Virgil Adams, and Mr. Rex White.  I have ruthlessly stolen from all of them.

Interviewer:

Please explain if you do something special or unique in your teaching and what made you develop this.

David White:

There is nothing unique or special that I employ in the class.  Passion for the subject sometimes allows the class and I to venture into areas that are far removed from the text and to consider numerous alternative views to the generally accepted ideas.  I do add a large dose of humor and patience in the class.

Interviewer:

What do you think it is about your teaching style that appeals to students?

David White:

My guess would be that I use humor, I am knowledgeable and passionate about the subject, and I am irreverent in many other areas.

Interviewer:

Do you teach face-to-face, online, or both? Do you have a preference between teaching face-to-face and online? If so, please explain.

David White:

I limit myself to face-to-face teaching.

Interviewer:

Please tell us about your chosen discipline-i.e., what made you interested in the area initially? What do you do to stay current in your discipline? What do you like best about teaching in your discipline?

David White:

Insatiable curiosity about the Earth has been with me for as long as I can remember.  My uncle first introduced me to some simple Earth concepts and the thirst for information has continued.  I consider myself a student of the Earth.

Often students will ask a question that I had not considered and I utilize the UMUC on-line library to research the question.  This leads me into several other areas of interest and I spend a great deal of time reading the current journals.  My free time is my field time; this is spent trying to unravel the complex geologic history of Okinawa.

I like watching the students as they begin to grasp the ideas and concepts of the Earth.

Interviewer:

What is the most challenging to you in teaching in this area? What teaching strategy do you use when you encounter the challenge?

David White:

The best way to teach geology is to take students to the field and let them touch, taste, and smell the rocks; this give life to the photos and diagrams in the book.  I always incorporate field trips into the class.  If time permitted I would have a six month field trip that covers the entire globe.

Interviewer:

What suggestion would you give to students who are interested in majoring or working in your discipline?

David White:

Read everything pertaining to the subject; be passionate about the subject; be open to new ideas; be free to think outside the textbook.

Interviewer:

In your opinion, what makes UMUC the college of choice for students?

David White:

UMUC has excellent counselors, field representatives, administration, and faculty who are focused on the needs of the student.

Interviewer:

In your opinion, what makes UMUC the employer of choice for future faculty members?

David White:

It is the employer of choice because of the opportunity to work with adult students, to works with great faculty and staff, and to see a large part of the world.