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.