My Portfolio Outline (first draft)

Here’s what I have thus far in terms of an outline. I would be interested in your feedback and perhaps others could share their outlines as well. Thanks, Bass

-Portfolio Table of Contents-

From There to Here – A Brief Bio

Curriculum Vitae

Cover Letter

Job Objective

Summary of Qualifications

Training & Study

Teaching

Experience with Students

Writing

Books Published

Workshops

Public Speaking

Team Player

Creativity

Computer & Internet Skills

Planning and Administration

Work Experience

Teaching Philosophy

This was prepared for students. It is something I would give them to read and we would discuss (or at least a version of it). It is the blueprint for all else that I do. Please note how I use this in the syllabus created for, “Making Sense of the Bible – a Literary Journey,” as well as in the sample teaching session I have included here.

Syllabi

Introduction to the Old Testament

Introduction to the New Testament

Making Sense of the Bible – A Literary Journey

An Analysis of Students for a Course on the Bible as Literature

The first two syllabi were developed in the early 1990’s when I was teaching at Piedmont Community College, Charlottesville, VA.  I am enclosing them as they were. The third is one I developed for a class on college teaching at George Mason University for a course I would enjoy teaching. It reflects a lot of what I have learned about what makes for effective teaching/learning. If I were to teach the other two classes again or any additional ones, the syllabi would look different (more like the last one).

Additional courses I envision teaching might be:

The Life and Teachings of Jesus

The Life and Letters of St. Paul

The History of Christianity

Christianity in America

Introduction to Christian Theology

World Religions

Comparative Religious Studies

Religions in Dialogue

Creative Writing – How to Write and Get Published

Adult Education Theory and Practice

Creative Ways to Teach Adults

Moral/Ethical Studies

Spiritual Formation

Religious Themes in C.S. Lewis, Tolkien and the Harry Potter Books

Great Religious Literature

An Introduction to Religion

Any topics related to religion and/or adult education

Teaching Session Sample & Materials

Background on This Teaching Session

The Teaching Session

Class Handout for Teaching Session

Responses & Feedback to the Session from the Participants & Professor

My Personal Reflection on the Session & Feedback Given

Teaching Materials Developed

Over the years I have developed a great many resources aimed at helping teachers of adults and educators who work with adult teachers. Some of these resources are actual curriculum pieces (like Session 6: Leader’s Guide and “Currents: From Crossfire to Ceasefire” below) to workshops (like an excerpt from my ebook entitled, “You CAN Lead” – a collection of workshops that educational leaders can use to train teachers in a church setting). I have also written many articles for teachers, for example, that have been used in magazines like, “Teacher” (a United Methodist publication) and other publications (some online).  An example of this can be found in the Published Articles Section below.

Session 6: Leader’s Guide

This is from a study I wrote for Cokesbury (The United Methodist Publishing House) for teachers of adults. I wrote 13 sessions on Paul’s letters to the Corinthians. The book was not only background on these biblical letters but more importantly practical suggestions for how to teach each session. A separate student book was also written to go along with it (though it was by another writer). I include this to illustrate my knowledge and experience in helping teacher’s lead effective and meaning study.

Currents: From Crossfire to Ceasefire

This was a resource I developed for adults and teachers of adults. It is based on current events for those interested in looking at them from a faith perspective. There is a significant interest among adults in religious settings to discuss what is going on in the world. This resource is aimed at helping them do this in a meaningful way. It has two parts. One is for the students. It is sent out and to be read before each session. The other is for the leader/teacher of the session, giving many practical ways to teach or lead it. I include this because it demonstrates the kind of innovative and practical resources I like to develop and use myself in teaching, as well as providing for adults and teachers of adults.

Workshops You CAN Lead

This is an excerpt from an ebook I wrote. Its target audience is educational workers who are responsible for training teachers. It provides them practical, user-friendly workshops or training sessions they can use with their adult teachers.

Articles Published

I have been fortunate to have many articles published over the years in a great variety of publications. One of my goals for the future is writing more scholarly pieces for journals and other publications. Here are just three samples of some published pieces.

The Critic – A Writer’s Best Friend?

This was published in an e-zine for writers (Absolute Write). It is a practical piece that shares some of my experiences and background as a writer, but that mainly examines the importance of having others read and respond to your writing.

Reading to Elizabeth

Is a short piece based on a real-life experience. It was published in the Virginian Review, a newspaper. It’s an example of creative writing and how to use every day events in writings (as one of my areas of interest is in creative writing).

Touring Ancient Corinth

This was an article that appeared in a study for teachers based on Paul’s Letters to the Corinthians (see above Session 6: Leader’s Guide). It takes teachers on an imagery tour of the ancient city of Corinth as a way of helping them better understand the context for the lessons they would be teaching.