Contact Info
dwilliams7@alamo.edu
(210) 288-2464

Education
Ph.D. in Progress, Capella University
M.S. in Psychology (Family Psychology), Capella University
B.A. in Psychology, Our Lady of the Lake University
A. S. in Psychology, San Antonio College

Courses Taught
Life Span Growth and Development

Bio/Teaching Philosophy

I am a Texas Native. I have traveled throughout the country and different cities as a military child and as an adult. San Antonio is home. I have two grown daughters, one son-in-law, and three grandchildren, one of which is deceased. The grandchildren I wish would have come first. They are the joy of my life.

I am a facilitator of learning. Learning is a key component in psychology that make for an enriched career, so. I strive to create a classroom atmosphere in which I act more as a mediator of learning than as the only one in the know. Although I believe it is important to look to my students for help in determining how each class period develops, the planning I do before class is structured around discussions led by a variety of student groups, so that class time can be taken up with collaboration, exploration and questioning rather than only through lecture. In my classroom I want students to see me not only demonstrating practices we are studying but also reflecting on what has occurred during the class period. One example of my demonstration would be participation in a collaborative group presentation and writing project that students are required to do for my course. When they write I find time to write also, so that I can move through the process with them and reflect upon my own results. When I feel success I let them know, and when I feel discouraged I talk about that privately with them individually and ask for help when in doubt. That same participation demonstrates the importance of my own continuous growth as a learner, and my self-reflection on that process.

When I teach I also want students to know that I care about them, I am interested in them, and I respect them; so I work very hard to make sure my students find me accessible. I also want them to question me, the texts I use, and the methods I use to facilitate their construction of new learning. Every other week I ask them to tell me how the class is going for them and if there is anything I could do differently to facilitate learning. I strive to continue learning how I can improve my teaching, because I love to teach and find it very rewarding.

It gives me great pleasure to be a part of the Northwest Vista College faculty/staff team, and I hope I can make a significant difference in each student’s academic life.

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