Counterpoint

After the last rather negative tirade of my last posting regarding my work, I thought it would be good to provide a positive counterpoint. I was contacted a couple of weeks ago by a colleague who writes for the University Alumni newletter asking if I would be willing to be the subject of the part-time faculty highlight article. After asking her if she was out of her mind, to which she assured me that she was quite sane, I agreed to be interviewed with the caveat that she visit Starbucks prior to the interview so she could maintain a certain level of consciousness. Here is the result of the interview:

Dr. Cindy Selby, who has been a part-time member of the Psychology Department faculty since the early 1990s, is bringing innovation to the teaching of Abnormal Psychology. Beginning fall 2008 semester, Cindy began using a case study simulation approach to the course, in which students take the role of professionals who arrive at DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) diagnoses applied to hypothetical patients. Students work in teams, and in consultation with Dr. Selby, to rule out competing diagnoses. Cindy terms this a “jigsaw” approach, in which student teams must work collegially to “complete the picture.” Additionally, students discuss the best theoretical approach to explain a particular disorder, and develop a treatment plan for each case study.

Dr. Selby spent much of this summer, in conjunction with her sister who is an educational consultant, developing the new approach to the abnormal course. As Cindy explains, “this is a much more active versus passive way to engage relatively large numbers of students in their own learning.” Cindy plans to continue her case study simulation approach in the future because students’ mid-term exam performance indicates it is very successful.

Cindy earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology in 2003 from Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center, founded by Rollo May and Abraham Maslow. Her graduate studies focused on a humanistic curriculum, which Cindy evaluates as an “excellent experience.” Dr. Selby has taught other psychology courses in the Department including research methods and introductory psychology. Additionally, Dr. Selby has been happily married for 25 years and has two teenage children. She looks forward to continuing her teaching career in the Department of Psychology. She is committed to providing students with a meaningful and relevant curriculum. No doubt her current undergraduate students in the Abnormal Psychology course agree.

Overall, I was quite pleased with what she took away from the interview and it was nice to be acknowledged for the work that I've done. So, in spite of my frustrating experience with the group of individuals I discussed in my previous post, I am well aware that my efforts are not going unnoticed and that always feels good.