I'm Just Saying...Audio Blog by Nancy Lynne Westfield, Ph.D.: Recent Episodes
The Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion
Each episode is a reading by Nancy Lynne Westfield of an original blog post. All the readings explore the complexity of the teaching life through imaginative storytelling, at times – bold commentary, and always encouragement for the art of teaching to be liberative and joyful. Producer: Rachel Mills Sound Engineer: Paul O. Myhre Original Music: Paul O. Myhre
Nancy Lynne Westfield is Director of the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion.
In this blog post, Westfield explores the role of the mid to late(r)career scholar who, having ascended professionally, makes it their mission not to simply coast into retirement but rather to harness their wisdom, influence, and power for the good of their colleagues, scholarship, classrooms, and institution.
Nancy Lynne Westfield is Director of the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion.
While we ordinarily think about the classroom when it comes to teaching, sometimes strong bonds can be forged in the context of one-on-one teaching relationships. Be this student/teacher relationship one of direct instruction or supervisory for teaching or thesis work or independent study and other contexts besides, knowing a student as an individual--a person--can create rich, long-lasting connections.
Nancy Lynne Westfield is Director of the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion.
In this audioblog, Westfield notes the importance of making sure that one's actions match one's rhetoric. Talk about inclusivity or creativity or perseverance or punctuality or diligence is just that unless teachers also model their expectations and invite colleague critique to make sure that their rhetoric isn't just sound that signifies nothing.
Nancy Lynne Westfield is Director of the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion.
In this audio blog, Westfield discusses three possible roles for senior scholars at an academic institution. There may be more, but the roles of gatekeeper, historian, and elder are common and visible and may offer a framework for scholars to think about their later years at a school.
Nancy Lynne Westfield is Director of the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion.
It is not enough to have a vague idea of what you're about as a scholar. You must take steps to articulate your intellectual project. It is not your career, not your teaching duties, nor your classes. Your intellectual project is the things to which all those other considerations are bent.
In this audio blog, Nancy Lynne Westfield offers questions to de-mystify one's project.
Nancy Lynne Westfield discusses the importance of being situated in an institution through deep knowledge about how a place works and then further situating your life's goals in that context and having a plan to make the appropriate shifts.
Nancy Lynne Westfield recalls a childhood storm that sent all scattering except her Uncle Frank who knew how to discern the nature of the tempest. Westfield invites each of us to know the storm separating temporary turbulence from existential threat.
Nancy Lynne Westfield discusses ways to be best the winter doldrums by ushering (pleasant) surprises into your world.
Original Blog: https://www.wabashcenter.wabash.edu/2021/10/too-tired-to-teach-consider-contemplation/
Original Blog: https://www.wabashcenter.wabash.edu/2021/08/challenging-risk-averse-students/
Original Blog: https://www.wabashcenter.wabash.edu/2021/06/get-to-know-students-with-creative-bravery-one-size-does-not-fit-all/
To read Dr. Westfield's original blog post, "Bat Report," click the link: https://www.wabashcenter.wabash.edu/2020/09/bat-report/
Read the original blog post in Teaching On The Pulse: https://www.wabashcenter.wabash.edu/2020/12/hold-my-mule/
Welcome to the Wabash Center's audio blog series - "I'm Just Saying." This is a series of audio recordings of my blog posts. I am Nancy Lynne Westfield, Director of the Wabash Center.
Read the original blog post: https://www.wabashcenter.wabash.edu/2021/01/teaching-while-grieving/