U Magazine, Winter 1988

Secrets of good teaching

0 ne of the key elements of USO's day-co-day mission is transaction that occurs between one professor and one studen t. When the transaction works, both participants are enriched: the teacher because he succeeded at sharing the world of knowledge with his student; the student because he is better pre– pared to face a demanding world . USO puts a high priority on teaching. Faculty teach here because they want to make a difference in the lives of individ– ual students. Students appreciate that kind of commitment. But what makes up the essence of good teaching? What are its rewards? How are students affected? In this issue we continue to present answers to those question s. Answers that are provided by expercs - USO professors and alumni . (Theseprofiles origi11olly werepublished osportofUSD's 1987 President's Report.) teaching - that highly personal Undergraduate Education Hehos always enjoyed reading. It was in high school hedecided hewantedto share that lovewith others by becominga teacher. An English teacher - whoseapproach to life andliterature called out to him - was the catalyst. Hecompletedstudiesfor an English degree at Canisius College, then began teachinghigh schoolEnglish classes. Later hewent back to college, obtainingmaster and doctoral degrees in education . After teaching courses in reading andcoordinat– ing thestudent teachingprogram at State University ofNew York at Buffalo forfive years, heacceptedan offerto come to the Universityof Sa11 Diego in 1976. In addi– tion to teaching at USD, hedirects the San Diego Area Writing Project, which trains teachers ofallsubjects to help theirstudents to write better. "I think I've become a little less rigid in my teaching approach over the years. I started teaching in an inner city high school in th e 60s, and often- Dr. Robert Infantino Director, Teacher and

Dr. Robert lnfa11ti110