Judy West
Judy West, a former JMU student herself, enjoys being a visual teacher. She requires students to complete a service project for her class and encourages them to be involved in the community.
Posted: Thursday, January 30, 2014 12:00 am
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Updated: 9:31 am, Thu Jan 30, 2014.
The Breeze
Every Thursday, The Breeze will be running a QA with one of JMU’s professors. This week we’re featuring psychology professor, Judy West. West formerly served as a counselor and will be retiring in the fall.
What have you enjoyed most about being a professor?
Seeing students take an interest in the topic and getting excited with them. Having them come up and tell you they enjoyed my class. Hearing one of my students told their friends about my class. I hold these comments close to my heart.
Before becoming a professor you were a licensed professional counselor. Does that affect the way you teach?
It made me aware of the fact that everyone comes into the classroom with a story, most of which I’ll probably never know. Being an LPC taught me that I should never just assume. It motivates me to treat all my students with respect and fairness. They could be going through a host of things outside of class, but in my classroom they’ll be treated as equals.
What do you want students to take away from your class?
Things that they’ll need to know for their own lives. I remember being your age and thinking I wouldn’t ever need to know any of the stuff about parenting. How babies develop, the fact that children need to be interacted with. Psychology shows us how we learn, how we remember, how we come to understand language. To me, that knowledge is very important.
Every fall semester, you do a community service project with your class. What motivates you to do that?
Rarely are young people given the chance to think of others, and when it is presented to them they usually jump at the opportunity. Last semester we raised more than ever for the Spotswood Elementary School library. My son remembered buying things for children at the holiday season, and the joy that it brought him. I think most students welcome the opportunity to feel good, and research shows that giving back achieves that.
What is your preferred style of teaching?
Visual. I like to have as many pictures and videos as possible to help students understand. I have such a low boredom threshold. As much as I hope to engage my students, I amuse myself when making these presentations. And I always like to go back and change even the most minor detail, though it is often only noticeable to me. I like to play with colors, and think that a conceptual subject like psychology is made so much easier when you have tangible demonstrations.
You’re retiring at the end of the semester. Will you still go back and change the PowerPoints?
No, a lot of people have asked to use them, but they’ve become slowly mine. I will continue to make them as perfect as I can regardless.
What is your most inspiring moment as a professor?
Years ago, a student who transferred from JMU to another university. She called the school to get my address and send a thank you note. All you can do in this life is leave good memories, and it is wonderful to know that I’ve done that for someone.
Contact Samantha Ellis at ellissl@dukes.jmu.edu.
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Thursday, January 30, 2014 12:00 am.
Updated: 9:31 am.
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