Comments from Teachers
View Faculty Seminar Leaders Comments
CHILDREN
& WAR
Prof. Carolyn Nordstrom
- I had high hopes for an interesting two days. My hopes were actually surpassed by the excellence and scope of the presentation. DO NOT CHANGE! I will remember this seminar. - Participant
- I would do this again and again. More than anything I am delighted to increase my knowledge. I had assumed their course would be very heady but from the "get-go" all participants and Ms. Nordstrom applied this to our present employment and place in the world. [TAS] has renewed my respect in teachers again. - Judith Simon
- [Professor's approach was] fresh, current, enthusiastic, interesting and structured. The overall [TAS] experience can be incorporated in many ways. It is in one's appreciation and understanding of current problems that we become effective, discerning and illustrative teachers. - Robert Ernst
MODERNISM
& MODERNITY
Prof. Joseph Buttigieg
- It was most exciting. We were treated as colleagues. We were not talked at, but to. It was like taking the "college class" for pure enjoyment. I'd never have "met" Virginia Woolf without this experience. Thank you to all involved in providing this experience. I wish more would know how good this was for us. - Karen Lohmuller
- I expected/hoped it would provide intellectual stimulation and was so pleased that it fulfilled and actually exceeded my expectations. [The seminar] has made me read more critically, give me a new approach to looking at literature, was pure enjoyment to discuss wonderful novels. Professor Buttigieg really made this such a wonderful experience! - Amy O'Brien
- Experience exceeded my expectations. I was unsure as to what to expect. It was worth every minute of the experience. It was inspiring! It's like recharging batteries. We need more of this. - Tom Gerencher
- Expectations were intellectual stimulation- learning parallels to help transform my own teaching and ways of reading and understanding- this, by far, surpassed my expectations! I have not enjoyed intense literary discourse like this in years- I loved it! - Bill Caparo
HOW
DO WE KNOW US FROM THEM?
Prof. Richard Pierce
- I looked at it as an opportunity to expand my own mind and think at a deeper level. Dr. Pierce treated us as true scholars and broadened our knowledge in the area of race. He asked us questions and engaged us in conversation and dialogue that led to real self-discovery. I am a different person for having been here these two short days and all that I learned I will take back to my classroom. - Joanne Connaughton
- I expected to have a scholarly experience studying and discussing history. My expectations were more than met. Professor Pierce is brilliant and led us through the readings via group exercises, lectures, and dialogue. This was wonderful- thank you. - Al Large
- From the beginning we were treated like scholars and expected to be scholars. Wow! TAS has stretched my thinking, called me back to study and to read beyond novels, and made me tap into my own beliefs. - Sr. Dian Majsterek
DANTE'S
INFERNO: INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
Prof. Theodore Cachey
- I have been both enlightened and stimulated by the teacher and by my fellow classmates. The experience refreshed me. - Anne Schelle
- It was amazing! The combination of true, experienced and researched knowledge along with allowing us to create and express our own viewpoints made it a wonderful experience. - Cathy Leszczewski
- Prof. Cachey made me feel very welcome and important. [TAS] has expanded and enriched my mind. - Emmy Lou Cokewood
THE
CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN SHORT STORY
Prof. Valerie Sayers
- I expected "food for the brain." This seminar certainly met those expectations. - Jacqueline VanderHeyden
- I expected two informative, professional, enlightening seminar days. My expectations were met and exceeded. Prof. Sayers was outstanding. - Susan Remmo
- Mostly it was just the pure joy of being a student once again in the classroom setting, and flexing our brains with colleagues. - Miki Strabley
- The size of the group, the quality of the stories and discussion and the approach of the professor all contributed to a wonderful experience. Thanks for offering the program. - Roger Bubb
UNDERSTANDING HOW FAMILIES INFLUENCE CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT: AN EMOTIONAL SECURITY PERSPECTIVE
Prof. E. Mark Cummings
- This seminar provided a great deal of information based on credible research and was helpful in learning more of ND as a community resource.
- My expectations to obtain a better understanding of family dynamics and how they influence child behavior were more than met. I felt like I received a deeper understanding from a child’s view.
- Thought-provoking, stimulating discussion, information that relates to my discipline.
- The lectures were excellent, the knowledge of Dr. Cummings and his ability to impart his experiences in research was extremely valuable. In addition, Brad’s presentations were very enjoyable and exemplified a practical application of the research.
- I appreciated the two-pronged approach—theory and practical.
- I believe I’ll carry multiple ideas to class and my life.
PSYCHOLOGY OF SECRETS: THE SELF: KEY DIMENSIONS OF PERSONALITY AND CAUSES OF INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES
Prof. Anita E. Kelly
- This seminar was thorough, thought-provoking and insightful. My expectations were met in an extremely professional manner. I felt relaxed, comfortable and truly enjoyed this experience.
- I have a better sense of how my students have multi-faceted personalities—a home personality, a school personality and a kid personality.
- My expectations were a day to step out of the school regime of giving and open my mind and soul to receiving. They were met as I always am on a journey of continual learning and I did enjoy the research and ideas discussed from Anita’s research.
- Many ideas transfer to my interactions with students and parents. I also found it to be a wonderful experience on my own road to discovery.
WHAT IS DEMOCRACY? A LITERARY EXPLORATION
Prof. Sandra Gustafson
- It was a great seminar. Professor Gustafson was an excellent teacher, the books were well selected and the class was very stimulating.
- I expected to be challenged to think, to have thought-provoking discussion and to be led by a top-notch professor. All expectations were met!
- I liked how different teaching approaches were used to link the topic with democracy.
- Dr. Gustafson asked engaging questions and I felt encouraged to respond and be a part of the bigger and smaller discussion groups.
- I love the discussion.
DEALING WITH WAR
Prof. George Lopez
- “These are one of the highlights of my teaching career. I feel privileged every time I get selected.”—Pat Shagdai, Jackson
- “My expectations were exceeded. I had looked forward to the opportunity to listen and learn from Professor Lopez. His lectures/guided discussions were so informative and thought-provoking—much more than I expected in a two-day seminar.” –Alberta Barnes, Grissom Middle School
- “My expectations were that TAS would provide an excellent learning experience along with an opportunity to interact with other educators on a topic of concern to all. My expectations were definitely met (and beyond what I thought it would be!).”—Cynthia MacWhorter, St. Joseph’s High School
- “The expertise and personality of the presenter was the most helpful. Professor Lopez is a very interesting individual with an engaging style and vast practical experience.” —Cynthia MacWhorter, St. Joseph’s High School
- “This seminar gave me insight into my own beliefs on war and will also enable me to look differently at world situations which will subsequently trickle down to my classroom.” —Pat Shagdai, Jackson
THERE IS NOTHING SO PRACTICAL AS A GOOD THEORY: WHAT THEORIES OF MOTIVATIONS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THE CLASSROOM
Prof. Julianne Turner
- “I really valued the ability to look at research and then discuss how it should fit into our classrooms. My expectations were fully met and it was an excellent opportunity to share ideas with others in all fields. It was great to have such a great professor as Julianne Turner!!”—Kathleen Miller, Warren Primary Center
- “I feel as if I’d taken a 3-credit course in 2 days! A wonderful experience.”—Pam Matz, Battell/Liberty
- “I had hoped to gain insights into motivation that I could use in my classroom. This was very helpful. Much to consider—I will continue to share ideas with my colleagues.”—Cheryl Nix, LaSalle
WAR POWERS AND THE CONSTITUTION
Prof. Donald Kommers
- “It was outstanding. I’ve never been interested in history and government. But now I want to read and learn more, Being able to take a class for “fun” is a great example to my students. They need to see that learning can be enjoyable and applicable to ‘real-life.’”-- Sarah Sehorn, John Young Middle School
- “The program when above and beyond my expectations.”—Tom Van Meter, Penn High School
- “I think you have an amazing program here. Thanks to Notre Dame, our school districts and all of the sponsors that make this possible.” -- Sarah Sehorn, John Young Middle School
- “What I learned was the awesome power that can be unleashed if the U.S. Congress declares war. That in order to keep that power under some control, presidential authorizations are used and used more often than not.” —Steve Flowers, LaVille Jr./Sr. High
THE EXTRATERRESTRIAL LIFE DEBATE: A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
Prof. Michael Crowe
- “Professor Crowe was delightful! It is always great to know Notre Dame is so respectful and grateful to an individual who has served them so faithfully and well.” —Linda Lucy, Darden Primary School
- “My expectations were exceeded. I learned so much. It was very informative and useful information. I will surely pass it on to students and refer to the materials again!”—Theadora Kella-Fuller, Jefferson I.C.
- “It was an enlightening experience to have such great discussion.” – Erin Richards, John Young Middle School
- “It was thought-provoking, more colloquial than I thought it would be and very useful for my curriculum.”—Jan Caudell, Grissom Middle School
The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Composition of the Bible
Prof. Eugene Ulrich
- “My expectations were met to my delight! I enjoyed digging into the origin of the Bible and look forward to researching and studying the Bible in another way.”
- “Dr. Ulrich was very well-versed in his Bible and very respectful of the variety of opinions.”
- “The knowledge of Eugene Ulrich is truly amazing. I wish this course could continue for at least 3 more sessions. It is fascinating and exciting.”
- “I have answers to many questions for my students in the Bible as Literature. There are several new books I want to read as a result of this seminar.”
Christianity and the Red Star: Churches and Nations Before, During, and After Communism
Prof. Patrick Gaffney
- “I have already made a stronger commitment to be an agent of change to help students be aware of the need for mankind to find peace!”
- “I will be more attentive to news from the Balkans and understand Church vs. State problems better in the Soviet bloc.”
- “My experience with TAS was the best contribution to my professional development.”
Theories of Human Rights
Prof. Ruth Abbey
- “I teach Kohlberg’s stages of moral development and will put Gilligan’s Ethic of Care into my lesson plans.”
- “I will look at rights and rights’ history in a new light from now on.”
- “I will look and think about issues in a different way. The idea of rights and my perspective has broadened.”
- “I’ll be more open to peoples personal rights versus the group’s rights, and understand the issues of each.”
Vamps and Vampires
Prof. Maud Ellmann
- “Many thanks to Notre Dame for sponsoring and organizing this wonderful opportunity for teachers.”
- “I will carry the use of power point, combined with critical questions being asked and answered into my classroom.”
- “I greatly appreciated the diverse disciplines intertwined with the study. I like the mixture of literature, art, and discussion.”