Teaching Philosophy
The Role of Community Colleges in Higher Education
Dustin K. Shaffer
As a first-generation college graduate, I am aware of the many challenges students face as they begin their academic careers, and I am particularly sensitive to their needs. My goal is to combine my wide range of professional and educational theatre experience with my ability to be a compassionate professor who will make a positive contribution to the welfare of your students at your institution.
Community colleges are an integral part of the American higher education landscape. Community colleges are the ideal environment for students to explore their academic and professional lives. Community colleges allow students the needed time to determine what they want from their education and what they desire from a four-year university. Students can take various classes and satisfy general education requirements before they become more "specialized" at the four-year college/university level. Community colleges help to build a solid foundation for further academic growth.
Traditional and non-traditional students benefit from a community college education in many ways. Community colleges allow for an affordable cost, the possibility of living at home, diverse classroom environments, instructors focused on teaching, and access to the latest technologies. Students benefit from flexible schedules, particularly online coursework.
Often, community colleges provide students with the opportunity for second chances. At a community college, students can hone their study habits and improve from the student they were at their prior institution. Community college allows the student a chance to better themselves and graduate with a respectable GPA that will demonstrate to admissions representatives that they are intelligent, goal-driven, hardworking, and worth acceptance to their institution. Even if a student is not planning to transfer to a four-year school, a community college degree will help them obtain a career in a professional industry of their choice. According to Forbes magazine, the fastest-growing jobs in the country require only a community college education.
As an instructor, I believe in the magical and transformative power of theatre. I value the creative process and collaboration. I try to instill these same values in my students; therefore, I teach. I teach a wide range of classes, so I do not subscribe to one pedagogical technique. However, my teaching philosophy is summed up in terms of three primary objectives:
My theatre classes will provide students with a solid foundational knowledge of the theatre arts. Students will develop an appreciation for theatre that will deeply enrich their lives outside of the academic setting. After completing my classes, students will be prepared for further studies at four-year learning institutions, conservatories, or careers within the theatre arts industry and allied fields.
Finally, by maintaining a healthy freelance career, I can create experiential learning opportunities for my students, often by hiring them as assistants directing/designing projects. By providing real-life opportunities, students gain a unique insight into the world of professional theatre. They develop additional skills that the classroom environment cannot offer. Students begin to establish their network of contacts within the industry and bolster their resumes and portfolios.
Dustin K. Shaffer
As a first-generation college graduate, I am aware of the many challenges students face as they begin their academic careers, and I am particularly sensitive to their needs. My goal is to combine my wide range of professional and educational theatre experience with my ability to be a compassionate professor who will make a positive contribution to the welfare of your students at your institution.
Community colleges are an integral part of the American higher education landscape. Community colleges are the ideal environment for students to explore their academic and professional lives. Community colleges allow students the needed time to determine what they want from their education and what they desire from a four-year university. Students can take various classes and satisfy general education requirements before they become more "specialized" at the four-year college/university level. Community colleges help to build a solid foundation for further academic growth.
Traditional and non-traditional students benefit from a community college education in many ways. Community colleges allow for an affordable cost, the possibility of living at home, diverse classroom environments, instructors focused on teaching, and access to the latest technologies. Students benefit from flexible schedules, particularly online coursework.
Often, community colleges provide students with the opportunity for second chances. At a community college, students can hone their study habits and improve from the student they were at their prior institution. Community college allows the student a chance to better themselves and graduate with a respectable GPA that will demonstrate to admissions representatives that they are intelligent, goal-driven, hardworking, and worth acceptance to their institution. Even if a student is not planning to transfer to a four-year school, a community college degree will help them obtain a career in a professional industry of their choice. According to Forbes magazine, the fastest-growing jobs in the country require only a community college education.
As an instructor, I believe in the magical and transformative power of theatre. I value the creative process and collaboration. I try to instill these same values in my students; therefore, I teach. I teach a wide range of classes, so I do not subscribe to one pedagogical technique. However, my teaching philosophy is summed up in terms of three primary objectives:
- To rekindle the creative spark that leads to dynamic artistic expression.
- To develop foundational skills in visual and verbal communication, text analysis, research, and theatre production techniques – from performance to design.
- To nurture creative, unique, and employable theatre artists to compete in an increasingly demanding and diverse industry.
My theatre classes will provide students with a solid foundational knowledge of the theatre arts. Students will develop an appreciation for theatre that will deeply enrich their lives outside of the academic setting. After completing my classes, students will be prepared for further studies at four-year learning institutions, conservatories, or careers within the theatre arts industry and allied fields.
Finally, by maintaining a healthy freelance career, I can create experiential learning opportunities for my students, often by hiring them as assistants directing/designing projects. By providing real-life opportunities, students gain a unique insight into the world of professional theatre. They develop additional skills that the classroom environment cannot offer. Students begin to establish their network of contacts within the industry and bolster their resumes and portfolios.