My Experience

I am Jennifer Peck, the director of branding and design for University Marketing and Communications at the University of West Florida. My teaching experience primarily stems from my career, which falls within the realm of training. This includes design and brand compliance workshops and training new or student designers to work within the UWF brand. Additionally, I have strengthened my speaking abilities through various opportunities to formally present my work.

I am also currently a student in the Strategic Communication and Leadership graduate program at UWF, where I took a course specifically designed to prepare my cohort and I for teaching in higher education. In this class, we completed a comprehensive classroom learning experience, enriching our understanding and application of best practices for educators. I feel that my experience has prepared me to take my skills as an educator to the next level. I plan to translate these skills into teaching design students in higher education, arming them with applicable skills that they can carry into their future careers.

What I Stand for as an Educator

As an educator, I stand for crafting learning experiences that inspire students to realize their potential. I will aim to vary the teaching styles I use to ensure there are multiple means of evaluation and multiple opportunities to demonstrate your understanding of the course content. I will also foster an environment in which students feel safe and empowered to voice their ideas.

The Purpose of Design Education

I believe that as an educator, it is my job to ensure that my students leave with more tools than they entered the classroom with. You will leave with practical skills to apply to your design focus, and higher-level critical thinking abilities, leading you to be open to more possibilities for solving a problem. I want my students to think bigger, not just as technically skilled designers, but as true artists and humanitarians.

Expectations for Myself

I expect myself to always strive for patience, empathy, and respect for my students. I will be a listening ear when needed and will do my best to accommodate your needs. I believe students learn best by doing and by learning from each other, therefore I will reinforce lectures with an experiential activity or project that helps connect concepts to real world applications, often within a group. I will provide frequent, timely feedback for work, providing opportunities for peer feedback as well. I also will look to you to provide feedback to me about your learning experience. We will all help each other grow and learn.

Expectations for Learners

There are a few ways that learners can get the most out of my courses. First, be prepared for class. Reviewing and completing any readings or exercises that are assigned ahead of class will ensure that you are equipped with the base understanding of the class content that will be reinforced and put into practice in class. Being present in class, both physically and mentally is an easy way to ensure you get the most out of the course. Some in-class time will be used for ongoing projects where you can source me and your classmates for support, ideas, and inspiration. Being open to the ideas of others and exhibiting a willingness to collaborate will ease the transition into group projects.

Nonnegotiables

I will not leave you without the necessary details to complete your projects. I will not come to class unprepared nor cancel class arbitrarily. I will also not be dismissive of your concerns and needs if they are not being met.

For my students, as the deadlines are generous and we will discuss projects well in advance, I will not accept late work without just cause. I will also not accept bad attitudes or combative behavior toward myself or other students in the class. Negativity hinders creativity, and we are all here to learn and create together. A positive attitude will go a long way.

Conclusion

While my students will witness my personal growth as I navigate this new chapter of my educational journey, I am committed to make each class memorable and to give you the tools you need to meet our learning objectives. My aspiration is to grow into an educator who inspires others, and for now, I am truly inspired by you!