My current scholarship (my teaching reflects this) is concentrated on Constructivism, or what is the interplay between public versus private spheres of understanding and the "wonder-ful" part that critical writing plays in the crossing of curriculum and disciplines that are a part of this teaching method. Most of our writing projects are initiated from student critical discussion based on stories and ideas we cover in class.  Learning should be exciting, thought-provoking -- even daring, and certainly not a roll-out of repeated lessons gone stale for its lack of "change."

As an author/researcher of a Longitudinal Study over developmental writers and teaching styles, I’ve long known that improvement in critical reading and writing is the initial step in personal or professional change.  It is has been shown, for example, that the average high school student manages a vocabulary of about 2,000 words.  That’s not much, but given a period of time in college and university study with perhaps an earned PhD, that vocabulary will increase to about 8,000, or even as high as 12,000.  Imagine the worlds of difference between one person with a vocabulary of 2,000 (or even less) to that of one with 8,000.  Imagine how different their comprehension of the world is.  Understanding words, their meanings and how they are used in stories is the mark of an educated man or woman.

Change – a verb, a noun, a notion – otherwise called an action word; it denotes exertion or an act on our part.  It is also a characteristic of what students are seeking in taking a college course.

Education changes people; it especially changes them when their understanding of language and literature is improved upon.  However, there is an important consideration: Change -- real change -- is enhanced by those who are willing to accept and work with what is their un-identical nature. What that means is that students and teachers must be willing to work with ideas and things different from what they have known or experienced before.  Follow that principle, and “change” is certainly evident on the horizon.

Background Studies
BA  and MSEduc -- Texas A&M Universiy, Corpus Christi, TX
-- Added graduate studies in Literature and Cinema
Grad Certified in Open and Distance Learning -- University of Southern Queensland, Australia
ABD work at TAMUCC & Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, TX

Hobbies and Interests
I have an insatiable interest in landscaping and gardening.  I do casting of gold and silver jewelry (lost wax method).  I enjoy the experimental brewing of beer and ale, and I love attending plays and movies when I get a chance.  I enjoy being with my son.