Participation Type
Workshop
Session Title
Session 11.07 Education and Activism
Presentation #1 Title
Mentoring Identity with Appalachia
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
As educators teaching in the Appalachian region, we are not always offered courses that are specific to our region; however, classroom readings, writing assignments, and projects can be easily adapted to be more inclusive of regional material. The traditional classroom provides these educators with a forum to introduce students to Appalachian topics through discussions based on the literature from Appalachian writers and the cultural elements of the region. This panel’s objectives include the following: 1) To show how mentoring students leads to continued student involvement and future activism for the region’s promotion. 2) To share teaching ideas, writing assignments, and classroom materials so that attendees may adapt their current courses. Those who attend the panel will hear testimonies of two current University teachers as well as at least one testimony of a student on how the inclusion of these Appalachian themed materials has made a difference in the way they teach and learn.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Kathy Combiths has been an Instructor for the Virginia Tech English Department for ten years and teaches Freshman Writing, Technical Writing, and Appalachian Literature. Kathy also mentors and advises Graduate Teaching Assistants for the department.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Serena Frost has been a member of the Virginia Tech faculty for ten years where she teaches Appalachian Literature and Business Writing. Serena has been a presenter at the past 9 out of 10 ASA conferences, half of which she has mentored and co-presented with her students.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #3
Annie Saunders is a second-year student at Virginia Tech, majoring in Environmental Horticulture. Annie is currently enjoying learning about her Appalachian heritage through Appalachian Studies.
Mentoring Identity with Appalachia
Harris Hall 136
As educators teaching in the Appalachian region, we are not always offered courses that are specific to our region; however, classroom readings, writing assignments, and projects can be easily adapted to be more inclusive of regional material. The traditional classroom provides these educators with a forum to introduce students to Appalachian topics through discussions based on the literature from Appalachian writers and the cultural elements of the region. This panel’s objectives include the following: 1) To show how mentoring students leads to continued student involvement and future activism for the region’s promotion. 2) To share teaching ideas, writing assignments, and classroom materials so that attendees may adapt their current courses. Those who attend the panel will hear testimonies of two current University teachers as well as at least one testimony of a student on how the inclusion of these Appalachian themed materials has made a difference in the way they teach and learn.
