#NISODProfiles – V. Michelle Macbeth

#NISODProfiles | May 16, 2019 

How long have you been a college educator?
I have been teaching for 10 years.

What is your favorite part about being a community college educator?
My favorite thing about being an educator is helping students to see new places, new experiences, and new opportunities. I love showing students how learning a language can introduce us to a whole community, lots of other countries, and a new set of wonderful people to get to know. I feel it is so important to help students look out into the world beyond themselves and to broaden their scope of what being a part of the global community means.

What is your best piece of advice for new or existing colleagues at community or technical colleges in your field?
Be yourself and be willing to learn and adapt. I think it’s important to teach in your own way and make your material your own—your students will feel more comfortable with your class because you make it accessible to them in a way that makes sense to everyone. You also have to be flexible and willing to learn what doesn’t work and try to adapt. Be open to trying new things! Don’t get stuck in a rut.

How do you connect with your students?
The most important thing you can do to connect with students is learn their name and get to know them as people, not just one of a number of students in a class. If students feel you care about their success and about them as an individual, they will work harder and be more motivated.

If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be and why?
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be with Jane Austen. I love all of her books and would love to hear the motivation behind them.

Every month, NISOD profiles faculty and staff from our member colleges who are doing extraordinary work on their campuses. #NISODProfiles offer a direct connection to your colleagues from across the world who exemplify NISOD’s mission of improving teaching, learning, and leadership.