2009 Teaching Initiative Award Winner
Hae Jin Gam, Ph.D.
- Ph.D. in Human Environmental Sciences, Specialty in Apparel Design & Merchandising, from Oklahoma State University (2007)
- Assistant Professor, Family & Consumer Sciences
Teaching philosophy
The teacher has enormous influence on a student’s attitude about learning. I would like to quote Henry Adams in say, “A teacher affects eternity: he can never tell where his influence stops.”
Teaching Goal
To create an environment where every student can be actively involve in profound learning and that this learning will also foster their own individual and professional growth.
The most challenging aspect of teaching
Most of my classes are a combination of design and studio lecture. Each student has very unique characteristics and different speeds of progress. One set of materials never fits all students, and I have to consider slower and faster learners as well. I spend the first day of class asking questions: what they want to learn and expect from this class, what they want to achieve, and what they bring to the class. This way, I can build and direct the course while considering the student perspective, and students are better able to understand the objectives of the course.
Most important influence on my teaching career
My teaching inspiration comes from my father, a professor of thirty years. Starting when I was very young, my father stressed to me that his vocation exists because of students and that a teacher should care and serve each of his students. Though my father was a professor, I never imagined I would become one; I just loved learning and my major area. However, after I started teaching, I realized that, like my father, I really love teaching and serving my students.
