Dr. John Hicks

What courses are you currently teaching and what are you most proud of about those courses?

I teach: English Language Arts Methods for Middle Level, Secondary at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, Courses in teaching English Language Learners in the Content Areas at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and Directed Field/Seminar at the graduate level.

I wouldn’t say I am “proud” of my courses, but I do take seriously the challenge of preparing classroom teachers for a world that resembles what comedian Flip Wilson termed, “The Church of What’s Happening Now!” What I mean by this is that I think Education is a profession of the faddish—perhaps more than any other profession in history. We think a new way of lesson planning, online courses or new technological gadgets are the tickets to create the ever elusive educational utopia. The most memorable teachers in human history didn’t need technological crutches to get their messages across—individuals such as Buddha, Jesus, Confusion and Socrates. These teachers often taught outdoors without even pen and paper not to mention Ipads and Smartboards. Still, we remember everything they had to say because the teacher, as John Hattie says, “is the major player in the education process.”

Contemporary education has been hijacked by technocrats and bureaucrats who are only interested in realities that can be quantified and controlled. Thus, metaphysical realities that have always been a part of education, such as the Good, the True and the Beautiful are jettisoned because they cannot be weighed or measured. What’s left is a truncated education that leaves some of the most profound realities of human beings completely untouched. American education is completely focused on the practical, the merely utilitarian, and, sadly, anything like art, music and literature is considered frivolous. I’ve made it my mission to remind students that education is more than just getting a diploma and not to be the kind of people who get all A’s in school but then turn around and flunk life.

What scholarly/service projects are you working on and what are you most proud about those projects?

My main focus right now is on finishing a Methods book on the teaching of high school English. This methods book will help students learn how to teach high school English. I also enjoy my role as SEFE Curriculum Committee Chair.

What student success stories can you share?

I am always impressed with dedication of the students I teach in class. They really get after it, and it shows in the work they do and the jobs they inevitably get. I am proud of the group of secondary teachers we have been preparing in my ten years here.

What do you do for fun during time off/school break?
I am a baseball junkie, and especially love watching the Pittsburgh Pirates. I also enjoy Steeler and Notre Dame (one of my alma maters) Fighting Irish football. I am always reading up on theology and philosophy, and you can most often see me with a detective or mystery novel in hand. I am hoping to finish two mystery novels I’ve been writing by the end of this coming summer.

What do you like best or appreciate most about Slippery Rock?
Besides my department chair, secretary and my students, I just love the place. I grew up here from 3rd grade on, did my undergraduate work here, and was thrilled to return in August of 2005. My folks both met here as students, my dad taught here for 30 years, and my sister went here as well. So, being here is more than just a job for me—it’s a family tradition.

Dr. Stacy Jacob

What courses are you currently teaching and what are you most proud of about those courses?

I teach graduate level courses in the Department of Counseling and Development. I mainly teach in the Student Affairs in Higher Education program and my classes include: Introduction to Student Affairs, Organizational Behavior in Higher Education, Leadership and Managing Change in Student Affairs, Higher Education Environments Cultures, and Students, Student Affairs Practicum, and Student Affairs Internship. In addition, I teach Research and Program Assessment for the department.
For the past five or so years I have experimenting with gamification of classes (e.g. using elements of video games, role playing games, and board games to make courses that are a game with games inside them). I have gamified Organizational Behavior in Higher Education. So for instance in this course students earn XP (experience points) to level up (as in a video game) and in the end different levels reached earn different grades. Also as in many games student choose their own quests (assignments), and earn badges and awards.

What scholarly/service projects are you working on and what are you most proud about those projects?

I have been talking with different folks from around the country about gamification. I get contacted about it frequently due to a chapter in a book that I authored and a presentation at national conference. I also research and write about teaching practice in the field of higher education and student affairs.

What student success stories can you share?

I have only been at SRU for a short time and so I only have two classes of graduates with whom I have worked. It is great to see them take their first jobs in colleges and universities.

What do you do for fun during time off/school break?

My husband and I are renovation an over 100 year old house in Pittsburgh and that takes up a lot of our time. This summer we will be tearing out the kitchen and redoing it. I also paint, read, love movies (especially ones that take place on college campuses), and I love games!
What do you like best or appreciate most about Slippery Rock?

My colleagues--they are talented, supportive and they really care about teaching students.

Mrs. Pamela Arnhold

What courses are you currently teaching and what are you most proud of about those courses?

I currently teach Adapted Aquatics and Adapted and Therapeutic Exercise. I really like the fact that we have practicum experiences with children through adults with disabilities incorporated in the classes, as I feel that “hands-on” experiences are often times the most valuable. Kindergarten through sixth grade with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum and the students at Slippery Rock will learn how to lead a lesson in the water with them. In addition, I am assisting in the Transition Program as the Evaluation Coordinator.

What scholarly/service projects are you working on and what are you most proud about those projects?

As of next week, I will be taking 15 students along with Dr. Kim Smith from Exercise Science and her 20 students to Paris, France to explore health and wellness opportunities for people with and without disabilities. We will also be meeting the President of the International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity at her Institute while we are there as well as visiting the University of Paris to visit their Adapted Physical Activity and Exercise Programs. These travel opportunities assist me in getting our Slippery Rock University students to develop of love of travel and learning about other cultures.

I am the faculty advisor for the Adapted Physical Activity Council. Next Wednesday, March 4th we will be leading the university in the “End the R Word” Campaign. We were one of the first 10 universities in the country to start this Special Olympics initiative.

What student success stories can you share?

“How long do you have?” We have had numerous students who have developed a passion for working with people with disabilities and did not necessarily find that out until they began taking our classes. With this list of many students, I have stayed in contact with them. It is the ripple effect. I teach them, they teach others, who teach others which all started with myself and the other faculty at SRU.

What do you do for fun during time off/school break?

My husband and I like to bicycle individually and on a tandem. We have a small pond/lake where we kayak and canoe. I like to travel to see our children and our families. I also enjoy refinishing furniture and reading.

What do you like best or appreciate most about Slippery Rock?

I like the fact that students in the Adapted Physical Activity minor and Master’s degree programs really get to know us. We tend to be a family! I am extremely proud of the students and faculty and everything that we have accomplished over the many years here at SRU.