Getting to know you...

For your first blog post, write an entry in which you do/answer the following:

1) Introduce yourself. Tell us a bit about who you are.

2) Why are you taking this class? What do you hope to learn or gain from it, specifically in terms of your writing? (Even if you are just taking it because you need the credits, you should still push yourself to write about some thoughtful goals.)

3) Talk about some memorable internet “texts” you have interacted with—even if that just means they’ve made you laugh or think a lot. They don’t have to be your favorites—just talk about whatever comes to your mind. 

I encourage you to use an image or two, embed some links, and just do what you can to make your post interesting and engaging. You don’t need to write too much, but do make sure (like all writing for this class) you are thoughtful and careful, thinking about organization, clarity, focus, and proofreading. 

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I'll go first...

1) Introduce yourself. Tell us a bit about who you are.

I grew up on Long Island, went to college in Salem, VA, and graduate school in Greensboro, NC. I moved to WV and started teaching at Shepherd in 2007. I live in Shepherdstown with my three cats (they are a lot, but cute and fun). I like literature, TV, games, baseball, and teaching. 

Teaching my ENGL 204 class on the last day of the Spring 2021 semester. Teaching in-person this year was certainly an...experience. But I absolutely preferred it to teaching online!

My pack o' cats, each letting me know that it was treat time and reminding me where the treats live (in the drawer of that table). 

2) Why are you taking this class? What do you hope to learn or gain from it, specifically in terms of your writing?

Well, I'm not taking this class, but as its teacher, I have lots of goals. I have taught versions of this class before, but not around this theme, so I have a goal of making this theme successful. Teaching is a kind of writing, so I am hoping that my own writing skills continue to grow in this new environment. I am also hoping to read some great writing (from you all!) and have terrific conversations about some of my favorite topics: writing, rhetoric, and language.

3) Talk about some memorable internet “texts” you have interacted with—even if that just means they’ve made you laugh or think a lot. They don’t have to be your favorites—just talk about whatever comes to your mind.

I have a feeling this answer indicates my age a bit, but I am going to talk about animated gifs, which my friends and I often use in texts. I find the good ones almost poetic and it fascinates me how much they can convey.

Some examples: 

When something baffles me or involves math...

When I am feeling really nosy or celebrating/encouraging someone else’s nosy sleuthing...

When my good friend and I echo each other in overlapping texts...

(This is also one of those for which I sometimes just type “spider twins!” and she knows what I mean. I am fascinated by that dynamic—an image takes the place of words and then the words come back in to signify the image!) 

Okay: your turn!