About Me
My name is Steph Uwakweh and I am currently enrolled in the Masters of Arts in English Education program at the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez. It is a post-doctoral undertaking for me since I already have a doctoral degree in Education.
I have taught writing both at the secondary level as well as the college level, so it is an area that I have considerable teaching and practical experience in. I particularly enjoy teaching Creative Writing, Media Writing and Persuasive Writing because such writing comes from the heart and tends to be very authentic as well as inspirational.
My research interests are in the areas of critical pedagogy, secondary education, multicultural education, bilingualism, English as a second language (ESL), and content-based learning.
My academic background is in the areas of English, Philosophy and Education. I am originally from Nigeria and cherish my rich cultural heritage. I am both African as well as American. I am fluent in English and Igbo. I am still working on my Spanish. I particularly enjoy spending quality time with my husband and four adorable children. My hobbies are teaching, writing, reading inspirational writings, listening to gospel music, and spending time alone (a rare luxury indeed, if I may add). Teaching is my calling and life's purpose. I always knew I would end up a teacher because as a child I often role played being a teacher.
My desire to be a teacher stems from a gut feeling I cannot explain in words. The persuasion to teach was cemented in my heart when in 1990, straight out of college, I was posted to a remote area of Northern Nigeria to teach first grade students. Most of them could not understand a word of English. On my part, I could not understand Hausa language. The curiosity to learn was written all over their faces every single day and that inspired me to want to make an impact in their lives. In barely 10 months, most of the students were able to speak English to an appreciable extent. In fact, many of them developed significant reading and writing skills within the same period. I was very gratified with their progress and confident in my ability to positively impact young students. I count it a privilege to be part of a process that changes young people forever. Over the years, positive feedback from my students attest to my ability to motivate and inspire young people to achieve at very high levels. It is very satisfying to know that I can impact young lives and make my students desire to learn.
I have never taught for the pay-check, so it does not bother me that teachers are underpaid. The intangible benefits outweigh all setbacks associated with the negligible financial incentive teachers often receive. Teaching is the only job I have ever held and I derive great pleasure from just being productive, relevant and motivational. My teaching experience ranges from kindergarten to college positions. My students have made me who I am today because I have learned so much more from them than perhaps they have learned from me. Teaching is the coolest job on the face of the earth and I feel privileged to be a teacher.
My strengths are in my ability to remain curious; empathize with the disenfranchised, voiceless and deprived; and believe the best of others. I am very down-to-earth and I make friends easily. I am a member of several professional organizations such as: The American Educational Research Association, The International Reading Association, Teachers for Teachers, Medieval Association of the Midwest, and Comparative and International Education Society.
I have taught writing both at the secondary level as well as the college level, so it is an area that I have considerable teaching and practical experience in. I particularly enjoy teaching Creative Writing, Media Writing and Persuasive Writing because such writing comes from the heart and tends to be very authentic as well as inspirational.
My research interests are in the areas of critical pedagogy, secondary education, multicultural education, bilingualism, English as a second language (ESL), and content-based learning.
My academic background is in the areas of English, Philosophy and Education. I am originally from Nigeria and cherish my rich cultural heritage. I am both African as well as American. I am fluent in English and Igbo. I am still working on my Spanish. I particularly enjoy spending quality time with my husband and four adorable children. My hobbies are teaching, writing, reading inspirational writings, listening to gospel music, and spending time alone (a rare luxury indeed, if I may add). Teaching is my calling and life's purpose. I always knew I would end up a teacher because as a child I often role played being a teacher.
My desire to be a teacher stems from a gut feeling I cannot explain in words. The persuasion to teach was cemented in my heart when in 1990, straight out of college, I was posted to a remote area of Northern Nigeria to teach first grade students. Most of them could not understand a word of English. On my part, I could not understand Hausa language. The curiosity to learn was written all over their faces every single day and that inspired me to want to make an impact in their lives. In barely 10 months, most of the students were able to speak English to an appreciable extent. In fact, many of them developed significant reading and writing skills within the same period. I was very gratified with their progress and confident in my ability to positively impact young students. I count it a privilege to be part of a process that changes young people forever. Over the years, positive feedback from my students attest to my ability to motivate and inspire young people to achieve at very high levels. It is very satisfying to know that I can impact young lives and make my students desire to learn.
I have never taught for the pay-check, so it does not bother me that teachers are underpaid. The intangible benefits outweigh all setbacks associated with the negligible financial incentive teachers often receive. Teaching is the only job I have ever held and I derive great pleasure from just being productive, relevant and motivational. My teaching experience ranges from kindergarten to college positions. My students have made me who I am today because I have learned so much more from them than perhaps they have learned from me. Teaching is the coolest job on the face of the earth and I feel privileged to be a teacher.
My strengths are in my ability to remain curious; empathize with the disenfranchised, voiceless and deprived; and believe the best of others. I am very down-to-earth and I make friends easily. I am a member of several professional organizations such as: The American Educational Research Association, The International Reading Association, Teachers for Teachers, Medieval Association of the Midwest, and Comparative and International Education Society.