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.

JD Newbern:

I have always wanted to be a college instructor and while I was at Yokota Air Base a position became available.  That was in 1994 – I’ve been with UMUC-Asia ever since.

After teaching for UMUC in Tokyo for four years I decided to transfer to Okinawa to pursue a second Master’s Degree in Counseling.  While in the counseling program I was able to experience three separate practicum placements.  I experienced a variety of counseling situations from couples counseling to group counseling.  This work was very rewarding work.

I guess growing up in such a large family prepared me for the dynamic interaction that is part of University teaching.  I learned how to listen and negotiate and how to become an effective speaker.  I use my early experiences growing up a great deal while I’m teaching.  Those early years were very important to me and they still resonate today.

Interviewer:

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

JD Newbern:

My parents have always been such a great inspiration to me. They reared seven of us and instilled in us qualities of tolerance and acceptance.  This influences how I interact with others on a day-to-day basis. Professionally, it was my Psychology 100 teacher (oh so long ago!) that made me want to teach psychology.  Her name is Dr. Sharon Lewis and she is still a psychology instructor at Oxford College of Emory University.  I model my teaching style after her style.  She was such a great teacher and a great person.  I think of her often while I teach.

Interviewer:

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

JD Newbern:

I’ve always incorporated technology into my lectures.  It was several years ago that many of my students complained that the overhead projector format I was using was so OLD.  They suggested that I really needed to learn Power Point.  I have since mastered this skill including the incorporation of audio and video clips into my lectures. I believe this really enhances the presentation.  It has also allowed for an easier transition to the on-line format.  My students are able to download the notes from the Web-enhanced WebTycho classroom before class each night.  I’m also a big believer in class activities and discussion groups.  Students who never talk in class can be so engaged in small group settings. I try to use these small group discussions whenever I can.

Interviewer:

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

JD Newbern:

I guess it’s that students feel comfortable around me.  Though I consider myself quite shy, I believe I am approachable and make people feel at ease.  This makes people less anxious about learning the material and enhances the experience in the classroom.  I have also been told that I become very animated when I am teaching. When I get excited about a point my students tell me that I make faces and gesture a lot!  Actually, I don’t know if this such a good thing, but I guess it keeps their attention

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.

JD Newbern:

I teach both.  My new favorite thing is developing HYBRID classes that combine in-class lectures with on-line assignments.

I prefer face-to-face instruction because of the nature of the material I teach.  I believe psychological principles are more easily conveyed in a face-to-face environment.  I like teaching on-line as well, but the lack of ANY face-to-face interaction is not ideal.  Again, that’s why I think the HYBRID format is so wonderful.  It combines the best of both experiences.

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?

JD Newbern:

I knew I wanted to be a psychologist when I was 11 years old!  I think growing up in such a large family heightened my awareness to the intricacies of interpersonal interactions.  Being the 6th of 7 children required plenty of survival skills, as well.  I think psychology was a natural fit for me J In college I took as many psychology courses as I could and just loved the discipline.  It still excites me to teach psychology and to continue to learn new things in the field.

I read – A LOT!  I subscribe to 12 periodicals monthly and try to stay current in many sub-disciplines of psychology. I also have several friends who are either psychologists or therapists and we discuss current topics in psychology on a daily basis.

Psychology is so accessible!  I believe that students can relate to many of the topics we discuss in class.  The famous experiments in psychology’s history are also fun to talk about in class.  Last term I taught a 1 semester hour course entitled “Great Cases in Psychology.” That was great fun to prepare and to teach.

Interviewer:

What is the most challenging to you in teaching in this area? What teaching strategy do you use when you encounter the challenge? Are there any special challenges to teaching your discipline online?

JD Newbern:

I think the most challenging aspect of teaching psychology – particularly the clinical classes I teach – is how personally involved some students are in certain topics.  For instance, when we talk about child abuse or mental illness or sexual problems some students get upset because it reminds them of their own issues or of someone close to them.  Often students will want to discuss this after class (or sometimes during the lecture!).  I find it challenging to maintain professional distance and to not engage in the dual role of instructor and therapist.  I have learned ways of redirecting the discussion and in some cases referring some of my students to professionals on base.

I have been able to translate several of my classes to the on-line environment. Of course, more interaction would be beneficial. How we might achieve that, I’m not sure.

Interviewer:

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

JD Newbern:

Psychology is a fascinating discipline that will allow them to learn about themselves and other people.  In a way, everyone who has ever asked a question about human or animal behavior is an amateur psychologist. Majoring in Psychology will only enhance their skills in answering those questions.

Interviewer:

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

JD Newbern:

UMUC offers so much flexibility in allowing students to complete their degrees.  We are at the forefront of new technologies in educating the adult learner.  No matter where in the world students my find themselves, a UMUC course is available.

Interviewer:

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

JD Newbern:

Anyone who has ever had the urge to live in a new and exciting culture with the familiarity of an American presence, UMUC is for them!  The overseas divisions allows for a professional teaching experience in exotic locals.  The prospective UMUC instructor will find great University support no matter where they are.  I started with UMUC 15 years ago, and I look forward to the next 15.

Interviewer:

What suggestion would you give to new faculty who are interested in teaching in your discipline at UMUC?

JD Newbern:

Those interested in teaching for UMUC can go to Faculty Recruitment to apply. There are links for adjunct/part-time, collegiate/full-time, and overseas teaching positions on this page.