Vita [forthcoming] |
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Carol Lynn Davis
Background
I’m an authentic “Mainah” growing up in Central Maine on a dairy farm, attending local schools, and then the University of Maine where I completed my B.A. degree in Psychology, my M.S. in Human Development, and my Ph.D. in Family Studies. After completing my undergraduate degree, I started my teaching career at Portland Public Schools where I taught kindergarten, a multiage 2 nd /3 rd grade, and a third grade class. After 4 years of public school teaching, I went on to complete my master’s degree and Ph.D. while running a preschool in my home for several years. I started teaching at the University of Southern Maine in 1982.
Teaching Perspective
I believe a quote by Dr. Rick Stiggins defines one of my key teaching beliefs, “We should aim to teach ourselves out of a job.” When I am teaching Culture and Community and Portfolio Development to the TEAMS students, and then mentoring and supervising them during their internship, I look at that as teaching myself out of a job because at their successful completion of the program they have become teachers themselves. Working with TEAMS interns, I enjoy getting to know them each individually and developing caring relationships with them, taking them from the point they’re at and assisting them in their development of the essential competencies, knowledge, and understandings which they need to become effective teachers. Thus, scaffolding is important to me in terms of my teaching perspective because I believe in empowering students through guidance and mentoring.
Intellectual Pursuits
In the 1990’s, USM had just begun using portfolios as a way for students to demonstrate knowledge and understanding as a teacher. I’ve always been interested in the use of portfolios and how that inspires reflection in one’s practice and I became very involved with Nona Lyons in qualitative research related to the development and use of teaching portfolios. I am also very interested in issues of equity and social justice and that certainly takes center stage in the Culture and Community course that I teach. One of my most important inteIlectual pursuits is directed towards refining my teaching practices so I can be a better teacher.
Personal Side
Both my two sons are married and I have been blessed with the arrival of 4 grandchildren over the past 10 years. Being a grandmother is one of the many joys of my life, and spending time with my children and grandchildren is a major part of my life. I currently live on Chebeague Island, an island community in Casco Bay, where I participate in many community activities and enjoy kayaking on the beautiful waters surrounding my home. I also enjoy hiking, camping, skiing, snowshoeing, and cycling. In the summer of 1993, I enjoyed the adventure of cycling across the US. Another recent interesting adventure was an Earthwatch expedition where I assisted in tracking black sea turtles in Mexico. I take an active role in volunteering and have been to New Orleans several times to assist in the recovery efforts from Hurricane Katrina. In the early 1990’s, I was actively involved in the Sister City partnership that Portland has with Archangelsk, Russia. I have had hospice training and have worked in a transitions program with children who have experienced a loss and are dealing with grief. |
