The Lives of English Teachers: A Readers’ Theatre Performance
Read By Dr. David Schaafsma (University of Illinois at Chicago), Dr. Randi Dickson (Queens College, The City University of New York (CUNY), and Dr. Gian Pagnucci (IUP)
Narrated by Sarah Rutter (University of Illinois at Chicago)
Wednesday–November 18th at 8:00 p.m.
in the Hadley Union Building (HUB), Monongahela Room
Most training for teachers focuses on classroom practices: what books to use, what tasks to assign, and what methods to employ. Even most discussions of educational philosophies and pedagogies focus on how teachers should behave in the school or university setting. But teaching is a 24/7 occupation. The best teachers are always thinking about their teaching, and trying to meld that teaching life into the rest of their existence. This readers’ theatre performance (where a text is read aloud in semi-dramatic style by the authors) focuses on the chaotic nature of teaching lives, both inside and outside the classroom. The reading will be accompanied by music and hopes to engage the audience in rethinking their own ideas about what it means to engage in the teaching life.
Gian Pagnucci and Dave Schaafsma at UIC in 2009
Sponsored by IUP’s Graduate Studies in Composition & TESOL Program and IUP’s Department of English.
Thank You!
I want to thank all the Composition & TESOL students and alumni who nominated me for
The 2009 Mentor of the Year Award
I was very honored to win this award and to receive this fabulous recognition. IUP’s C&T program has so many wonderful students, and it has been my great privilege to work with many of you during my 15 years of teaching at this university.
Thanks again.
Brett Favre Returns to Lambeau Field
It’s the Game that never should have happened!
Lots of people have asked me, “How do you feel about Brett Favre being a Viking?” My answer is, if I was coaching the Packers, Brett would still be wearing green and gold. When Tom Brady got hurt last season, the Patriots didn’t cut their future Hall of Famer. So what was Packers management thinking?
I’m hoping Brett has one last magical ride to the Super Bowl left in him. And I’ll be cheering him all the way.
Celebrate Writing!
The United States Congress has designated October 20th as The National Day on Writing.
So take a little time today to write in your journal, start your novel, update your blog, or compose a poem.
Brett Favre vs. the Packers?
Say it ain’t so!
Yes, the unthinkable has come to pass.
The Packers cut the greatest quarterback in the history of football, and now he’s about to remind them why that was such a big mistake. No matter who wins, it’s bound to be a great game, one of the biggest ever!
Cap is Back!
At long last, that hero among heroes, Captain America, is returning. Marvel Entertainment, Inc. has announced that it will release a new 5 part mini-series in July entitled Captain America Reborn in which the star-spangled super-soldier returns from the grave.
President Obama Signs Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act
Like Presidents Kennedy and Clinton before him, President Obama has issued a national call to service. This important new legislation includes ways for students to earn money for college by doing volunteer work.
Local Volunteer Opportunities
Interested in volunteering in your local community? A great information source on volunteering is:
Local Volunteer Opportunities
IUP Students and Faculty will want to also visit IUP’s Office of Service Learning which helps coordinate volunteer projects or the Citizenship and Civic Engagement Initiative (CCEI) which coordinates Alternative Spring Break and other activities.
Neil Giaman wins Newbery Medal!
One-time comic book writer Neil Gaiman has won the 2009 Newbery Medal for last year’s best children’s book. He won for The Graveyard Book published by HarperCollins Children’s Book.
Gaiman is a fabulous writer whose outstanding works include:
- Neverwhere
- American Gods
- Stardust
- Good Omens(with Terry Pratchett)
- The Sandman(comic book series)
- Marvel 1602(comic book series)
I’ve read all these books and highly recommend them to you.