Students say…
As this is most likely the last class I will have with you, I wanted to thank you for being an awesome professor and pushing me to do things that I never would have before.
Spring 2017 American Writers of Color
It has been a delightful experience to have taken this class, my first question to myself was why do I need this class for CJA? I now realize the importance of the diverse cultures and how through education of other cultures, it can be an eye opening experience. Thank you for the journey!!
Spring 2018 Topics in Multiculturalism
This class is very interesting; I am so glad I was able to take it before ending my college career. Thank you so much for everything, Professor Thiaw. You are an amazing professor and person. Thank you for making my college career so interesting and enjoyable. God bless!
Winter 2018 Creative Writing
Teaching Philosophy
Studies show that the arts help students beat anxiety, improve memory, and can offer an effective means of self-expression. I see creativity as a pathway to student empowerment, so I use creative writing and other arts to supplement lessons or assess learning. As a working artist and educator, my teaching style is naturally creative and innovative. For nearly 20 years, I’ve inspired students to embrace their inner communicator, develop and utilize their critical thinking skills, and be open to new creative paths toward academic success.
In order to be holistically educated in this era of information overload and “fake news,” students must become critical thinkers and literate consumers of media. For this reason, I see imparting knowledge of bias and fallacy as an important part of various classes. My students will not only memorize fallacies by name but practice using them or recognizing them in writing or speech. This may include some nontraditional activities such as creating commercials in English class or taking on a persona and conducting a debate in a humanities class.
These creative projects are just some of the innovative activities I include in my courses as we move away from the lecture model that has been losing students for years. Through think, pair, share activities, I encourage one-on-one communication, collaboration, and research that will help them become better problem solvers in the future. I also enjoy using ‘jigsaws’ to bring together different student perspectives on the material they are studying. Workshops and panel discussions are types of small group communication that can help students demonstrate their knowledge and analyze course material in nontraditional ways that extend beyond tests and quizzes. Online tools such as Playposit, Padlet, and Mentimeter allow for gamification and interactive learning.
Lastly, I embrace inclusivity on all levels, including in required readings and other course materials. Exposure to different perspectives helps students grow in empathy. All students, regardless of their background, have a voice that should be heard.
In conclusion, my teaching philosophy reflects my love for the arts and diversity as well as my use of a variety of teaching methods that can reach students in a positive way. My creative pedagogy allows students to stay engaged and motivated to reach for success.
Maria James-Thiaw 