Please accept this letter as an indication of my desire and ability to teach English 111 for the 1 st

Year Writing Program at Saginaw Valley State University. Per the request of Dr. Herzog I am
submitting a letter which identifies a teaching philosophy and relevant credentials.

First and foremost, I teach writing because I need balance in my life. My full-time position
requires that I interact with individuals experiencing some disruption in their life in the form of
mental illness, alcoholism and/or substance abuse. Occurring on a nightly basis, Sunday thru
Thursday, the faces blur, names are forgotten and blood and urine become the most important
indicators of my final disposition. Its as if I am on an endless Ferris wheel and the attendant will
not allow me to exit the ride. Having spent the last thirty-six years working in the mental health
field, I discovered rather early that I required an outlet where success was at least achievable.

The second reason I teach writing is I had a simply horrible experience in my own English 111 course
when I first began college. I promised myself that if given an opportunity to work with students I
would attempt to create a classroom where students felt comfortable. I would create assignments
that encourage students to learn in increments. Within the English course I am fortunate to teach,
students begin by describing themselves through a personal narrative, hopefully becoming more
aware of their own abilities. Because so much of learning at University requires summarizing, the
second exercise introduces students to the how of summary. Third assignment requires students
to analyze what they consider to be the best in the state of Michigan. Once again placing students
in their comfort zone allows for the exploration, explanation and defense of what they consider the
best. The fourth assignment is perhaps the most difficult for most students. I ask the students
to compare/contrast the same topic as viewed by two or more different authors. The end of the
course provides the students with the final building blocks. Evaluating contrasting opinions and the

ability to correctly cite and document sources completes the foundation which is English 111.
Success in English 111 is essential for students to achieve graduation from University.

In my experience all subsequent courses and degrees require the ability to read critically, think
critically and summarize critically. Therefore, a solid base in English and the ability to write
cohesively requires that as instructors we provide all the tools possible so that the students will be
successful. If it is a specific philosophy that the English Department seeks then I have to be
honest and report I cannot give the Department one. However, I can and will commit to doing the
best I am capable of to provide the students in my classes with every opportunity to learn how to
write and succeed.
As far as credentials, I possess a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Mass Communications from New
Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico.