Sept. 2, 2010
Adam Oldaker
Nora Lethiot
Keith King
Where are you from originally?
I grew up in Hazel Crest, Ill., before starting high school at the age of 13; my family then moved to nearby Homewood, Ill., where I lived until I left for college at 17.
Where did you attend college and what degree do you hold?
For undergraduate school, I attended Illinois Wesleyan University where I obtained a bachelor's degree (summa cum laude) in English and theatre arts. In my senior year, I studied British literature abroad at St. Catherine's College in Oxford, England. I also hold a master's degree in English from Purdue University and a master's degree in elementary education from Lewis University.
What classes are you currently assigned?
Currently, I am teaching three sections of English Composition I and three sections of English Composition II. My classes are held at the main campus, the Ottawa Center, and the Midland High School extension site. I am also a writing tutor at the Ottawa Center.
Are you new to teaching?
I bring many years of college-level teaching and tutoring experience to my new position at IVCC. For eight consecutive semesters, I taught composition courses as an adjunct English instructor at IVCC. I served, too, as a teaching assistant and a lecturer at Purdue University where I taught courses in composition, professional writing and the Bible as literature. I also worked as a reading and writing tutor at Ivy Tech Community College and as a peer writing tutor at Illinois Wesleyan University.
What are your impressions, not only of the students, but also the atmosphere at IVCC, and your fellow faculty and staff?
Based on my experiences at IVCC, the students are incredibly diverse in their interests, goals, and backgrounds. The staff and faculty whom I know personally are kind, caring people who are genuinely interested not only in what their students are learning, but in their well-being as well. IVCC's atmosphere is welcoming and friendly to new students, staff, and faculty alike.
What is your favorite aspect of IVCC?
My favorite aspect of IVCC is working with students who have chosen to improve their lives by committing themselves to higher education.
What is your favorite thing about the Illinois Valley area?
I enjoy meeting new people in the areas that IVCC serves and discovering what the region's businesses offer. For example, I recently attended theatrical productions at Festival 56 in Princeton for the first time, and I was incredibly impressed by both shows that I saw (Love's Labour's Lost and Moon Over Buffalo).
What should a student know about you?
I want students to know that I am absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to work with them. Also, I am always willing to meet in order to help them achieve their personal, educational, and professional goals.
Where are you from originally?
I was born and raised in the Illinois Valley, and grew up in Ottawa.
What is your educational background?
My first degree was an A.A. from IVCC. I received a B.A. in English education (with an endorsement in Spanish) from Illinois State University. My M.A. is in English, specializing in literature and film, from Northern Illinois University.
What classes are you currently assigned?
I am currently teaching English Composition I and Major English Writers I.
Are you new to teaching?
Before coming to IVCC, I taught for two years at La Salle-Peru High School (English and Spanish). I also taught First-Year Composition at NIU while working on my Master’s degree. Last year, I taught part-time for IVCC (Composition and Speech). I’ve taught in every grade from 6th through second year of college.
What are your impressions of IVCC?
My first impressions as a full-time member of the faculty are very positive! The students are diverse, interesting, and motivated. The faculty and staff are dedicated, helpful, friendly, and welcoming. I hope to emulate those same qualities!
What is your favorite aspect of IVCC?
My favorite aspect of IVCC is the people here. Everyone has been kind and accommodating, and works hard to create the best educational environment possible. Everyone says that the people of IVCC are the best part of working here, and I would have to agree!
What is your favorite thing about the Illinois Valley area?
My favorite aspect of the Illinois Valley area is the beautiful surroundings. I feel fortunate to live close to so many wonderful state parks. We are lucky to have fantastic outdoor opportunities as well as being close to a major city—we have the best of both worlds.
What should a student know about you?
Students should know that my first priority is to help them succeed not only in class, but in their lives beyond IVCC as well. My door is open to any student, and I work hard to create a safe and valuable learning experience for each and every student. My goal is that the skills they develop and hone in my class will carry over to success in whatever endeavor they pursue after IVCC.
IVCC is the place where I discovered my passion for learning and education, and it gave me the tools to pursue and achieve the job of my dreams (which happens to be working at IVCC)!
Where are you from?
I was born at IVCH and grew up in the country outside of McNabb. I went to Putnam County High School.
What is your educational background?
I started at IVCC at the tender age of 17 the summer after I graduated High School. I received my A.S. in 2001 and went on to ISU where I focused on biology and received my B.S. in 2003. In 2008 I went back to ISU to get my master’s.
What classes are you currently assigned?
I am currently teaching one section of BIO 1000, The Global Environment, BIO 1001 General Biology, and BIO 1003 Principles of Biology.
Are you new to teaching?
No, I have actually taught part time here at IVCC since 2003. I taught many anatomy labs, and many night courses such as microbiology.
What are your impressions of the students,faculty and staff?
It has been great to be welcomed back. Many of the instructors here taught me years ago, and it feels great to come back as a colleague now. I missed the students here as well, they’ve all been great.
So far, what is your favorite aspect of IVCC? My office, I haven’t had one before so I was always lugging around all my stuff with me. It is so great to finally have a place to hang my hat.
What is your favorite thing about the Illinois Valley area?
This area is great, I love the people, and I love the fact that I have a backyard again. This is also where my family is, and I love that too.
What should a student know about you?
I’m a fair guy, who is very willing to help out students; all they have to do is ask.