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.

Michael Apichella

Prior to joining the UMUC faculty in the United Kingdom in  1986, I spent time in England studying as a foreign exchange student and  teaching as a Fulbright exchange teacher. When the chance to teach for UMUC  Europe came up, I didn’t hesitate to apply. I also write a column for a daily newspaper in addition to writing fiction.

Interviewer:

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

Michael Apichella

I try to adhere to a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Be an  opener of doors for such as come after thee.” Many of my colleagues and supervisors have inspired me to develop new  skills or undertake new responsibilities, annealing essentials professors must  embrace if they hope to be successful members of a collegiate faculty.

Interviewer:

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

Michael Apichella

I believe that nothing done on behalf of students is wasted. If they  catch that attitude, then that may be the appeal.

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.

Michael Apichella

I teach both. I don't really have a preference.  I do enjoy teaching in my pajamas at 4 a.m., so  perhaps that makes distance education slightly more to my liking.

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?

Michael Apichella

As one who has been in love with words from an early age, I can’t imagine  making my living in any other way than teaching others to love the written  word. UMUC’s faculty development courses help me to stay current. As an English and Speech faculty member, I enjoy seeing my students  gain confidence with the written and spoken word.

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 in teaching this subject matter online?  If yes, please explain what could be done to  meet the challenges.

Michael Apichella

As I teach a number of courses for UMUC, I don’t favor one methodology  over another.  Thanks to UMUC’s faculty development courses, I am always learning new ways to put across my subject. The great challenge of online teaching is communicating my subject entirely  on screen.  Non-readers have a  disadvantage in a distance education class that they don’t necessarily have in a face-to-face  setting.

Interviewer:

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

Michael Apichella

You must appreciate how hard it is for military members to balance personal  life with full-time jobs while taking classes. Their example will teach you  about the need to be demanding yet flexible in order to help adult learners achieve their educational goals. 

Interviewer:

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

Michael Apichella

With respect to past administrations, I  think credit must go to UMUC President Dr. Susan Aldridge whose efforts have  made UMUC a world leader in adult and distance education. With this formidable yet very warm human being at the helm, things can only go from strength to  strength.

Interviewer:

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

Michael Apichella

It’s the opportunity to work overseas within a world-class American  university system helping to create the world’s most  highly educated soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines. 

Interviewer:

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

Michael Apichella

To paraphrase Gandhi during a BBC TV interview, he pointed to his  fellow countrymen who were rapidly marching by, saying: “There go my  people. I am their leader. I  must catch up to them.”  He then ran off camera. In other words be resourceful,  open to new ideas, and willing to experiment with the latest pedagogical technology  in order to keep up with our troops and students.