Terri Deems

Visiting Assistant Professor

Phone Number: 402.466.4774
Department: Business Administration
Email: terri.deems@doane.edu
Campus: LINC

About

Why did you become a teacher? How did you become interested in teaching?

I come from a family of educators and care-givers, and from my early days of playing school in my grandfather's basement I've held a big interest in fostering people's development and creating educative environments. Both my father and grandfather served as professors in higher ed and they challenged me to stay curious, to question, think critically, forge new pathways, and add some good to the world. Helping others learn and grow has been a natural outcome of such values, and it's such a privilege to be involved in people's development! 

How can students do well in the classroom? What are characteristics of successful students?

I often tell my students that everything starts with showing up. So start there, both physically and mentally, whether we are online or face to face. We can define “successful” in different ways, and to me a successful student is one who has achieved their goals with a task, project, or class. I have found that the most successful students in my classes . . .

• Are clear and intentional about their goals.
• Come prepared for class, having studied and really thought about any required material.
• Engage fully with the material, other students, and their instructor--students are active participants in their own learning.
• Prepare assignments thoughtfully.
• Exercise their curiosity by asking questions and/or posing challenges to our content.
• Seek out and make use of feedback.
• Respect and value the experiences, knowledge, and other differences within our class.
• Aren't satisfied with "received knowing" (e.g., simply believing what they read or are told). They will test ideas, seek sound and valid evidence, and use other critical thinking skills.
• Focus on the application of their learning.
• Connect with me as your instructor! Call me. Email. Text. Stay an extra minute after class. Reply to my feedback. And remember it is always easier to deal with the gremlins while they are still small.

 What is your favorite quote and why?

"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance: that principle is contempt prior to investigation." In spite of its mangled and misattributed history (Spencer and Paley) and its gender-exclusive language, the quote nevertheless invites me to pause, check things out, and keep an open mind: drawing a conclusion too quickly will always serve as a barrier to my growth.