Jacqueline Gibbons earned a BA (1997) in Sociology, and an MA (2011) in Adult Education from Western Kentucky University (WKU). During her career as a contractor, she developed and facilitated multiple trainings for staff members at Communicare, University of Kentucky's Targeted Assessment Program, and the Department for Families and Children. Mrs. Gibbons assisted in the development of a high school mentorship program, children's environmental program, and began writing an online blog focused on education and other areas of interest. Mrs. Gibbons began teaching English at Mid-Continent University and went on to instruct Composition I and Composition II in class and online. She returned to WKU and is currently pursuing her doctorate in the Educational Leadership Doctoral Program. She is a part-time English instructor at Southcentral Community and Technical College and WKU. Mrs. Gibbons is currently actively engaged in curriculum and program development research.
My teaching philosophy is fueled by my passion for learning that goes as far back as sitting on my grandmother's porch swing singing ABCs. Because of my passion for teaching, I have become one of the many educators who seek out knowledge for self-improvement that ultimately enhances my ability to teach more effectively. Over the years as I have facilitated training events and taught college courses, I have come to realize that each student is unique, and thus each classroom has its unique personality and should be treated as such. For these reasons, I have come to understand the importance of being flexible and above all creative in order to meet the diverse needs of the students. When something is working well in one class, it may not be so in another. Therefore, I keep my creative toolbox handy and pull what I need from it. When my toolbox appears to be devoid of what is needed, I consult colleagues, search out new methods and go on a hunt for that thing that I can bring to the classroom to ensure that students are engaged. For engagement may lead to curiosity and inspiration, and inspiration may lead to a great many things in a student's current life as well as far into the future.