My name is Marcae Bryant and I am a native of St. Petersburg, Florida. I graduated from high school and joined the United States Air Force where I served 9.5 years specializing in Military Intelligence and network management. As a secondary position I became the Wing Intelligence Systems Administrator. Subsequently, I completed my service obligation and accepted a position at University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) while I simultaneously completed my Bachelors of Science in Computer Science. After continued success in the administration of network communications I progressively matriculated to Director of Information Technology and Website Technology Manager positions with UALR.
After obtaining my degree I was offered a position as a Senior Systems Engineer as a government contractor in Germany, where I supported Global War on Terrorism efforts which provided 24/7 operations intelligence support and web technologies to military personnel overseas and in the continental United States. Upon my return to the United States, I completed my Masters of Science in Computer Information Systems from University of Phoenix which ignited me into the career path of becoming a faculty member for a higher education institution.
My children are my inspiration: Jamal, 16; Aaliyah, 15; and Bryant, 11 who are actively involved in sports, performing arts, dance, and musical theater. Their numerous performances keep me very busy. Additionally, I enjoy developing new web applications and designing community websites. When Im not busy with the kids or developing websites, I like to enjoy reading, researching, and networking to learn something new or experience a new concept.
Philosophy of Teaching Statement
I believe that teaching is a field of inquiry and that educators at every level should be dedicated to the scholarship of learning. An effective teacher must have a great understanding of the subject matter being taught as well as underlying pedagogical theory. It is an educator's responsibility to stay current in a field of study, engaging in research and participating in scientific societies, conferences, workshops, classes and/or life-long mentoring that can improve subject matter knowledge. I must be able to make good choices about what to teach and how to structure and organize material to form a rigorous curriculum. At the same time, it is important to stay abreast of current theory and research in the field of teaching and pedagogy. The following beliefs and principles summarize my teaching philosophy.
Conception of teaching and learning
The role of a teacher is also to be a facilitator; I should empower students to become responsible for their own independent learning. However, I do recognize that students learn in different ways and I am committed to including all students in the learning process. I should be able to vary teaching styles and should expect students to participate in a mixture of lecture, discussion, and group activities. Technology is important in the classroom since it is a rapidly developing instructional vehicle and can be an invaluable tool for addressing different learning styles. It allows students to become more involved in the processes of learning rather than focusing on the product that they produce, although I have found that focusing on the process invariably leads to a better product.
Through my teaching students should gain experience with rapidly evolving computer and information technology, but I also believe that technology must be used as a means of accomplishing more, to allow for better and improved learning and teaching, and should not be used as a end unto itself. The World Wide Web is one important tool that I utilize to expand subject matter and concepts to the global community.
I believe all students are capable of learning, and that all students have something to contribute to the classroom environment. Each student can bring new insights to a subject or raise questions about a subject that have not yet been considered. I view classroom learning as a reciprocal process. I must be committed to student success for I am responsible for making the subject matter accessible to those who do not yet know or comprehend the subject.
Description of how you teach
I am responsible for building a relationship with students. I should be accessible to all students, making sure that I talk to individual students both inside and outside the classroom and that I am available to students after class. With university level students, a strong mentoring relationship is essential. Therefore, I must respect all students without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap or national origin.
I must provide formative as well as summative feedback. I must ensure wide participation in the classroom. I believe that greater diversity leads to increases in the breadth and depth of learning. I am committed to recognizing and to addressing diversity in the classroom.
Justification for why you teach that way
I believe that students and I can together create a better learning environment if we interact well and evaluate each other periodically. I am determined to use these feedback evaluations from my students to further my teaching objectives. In one sentence my teaching mission is to help students learn easily with motivation and enthusiasm towards their career goals .
I believe that effective teaching skills can be developed. Teacher training and instructional development, therefore, must be viewed as primary long-term responsibilities. I must have knowledge of what skills make a teacher effective and must work to craft those skills. These skills must be honed, and they must be personalized. Being an effective teacher is a difficult task, but I accept teaching as a challenge and as a responsibility. I have found that teaching can provide rewards that are well worth the effort.
I am excited to help you facilitate your next step towards achieving your educational journey!!!
