Dodson brings enthusiasm to classroom

by Shelbi Wallace, online editor

 

There are many different teaching styles that a teacher can present in a classroom.

Kristi Dodson brings enthusiasm and gives students a chance to relate to her, the material and other students in the class.

 Dodson is beginning her fourth year as an instructor at South Plains College. She teaches botany, zoology and an occasional yoga class at the Levelland campus.

Dodson was born in Corpus Christi, but spent most of her childhood growing up in Snyder. She attended high school in Snyder, graduating in 1996. Following graduation, she relocated to Levelland, where she attended SPC for two years.

“A great thing about SPC that many people don’t realize until they get to a larger university, is that they have a wonderful opportunity with a class that is full with 30 students, compared to larger schools where 150 could be the full amount,” Dodson says. “Here they have the ability to get to know the students and teachers, interact with each other one on one, and you don’t always get lucky to have that in larger classes.”

Dodson began college pursuing a major in English, until one class changed her path in a different direction.  She enrolled in the wildlife management course taught by David Etheredge, who is an assistant professor at SPC, which took an English major down the unexpected path toward a new interest in biology.

“Doing hands-on things and being in his class and around his enthusiasm for biology is what made me decide to change majors, “says Dodson. “It was extremely contagious.”

After two years at SPC, Dodson, with the new career goal in mind, embarked on her next journey to pursue her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. She moved to Alpine and enrolled at Sul Ross State University. After earning her degrees in biology, with a minor in wildlife management, Dodson completed college and began looking for a job.

She contacted her “mentor” and previous instructor, Etheredge, in search of any job openings that he knew of. He informed her that there was a teaching spot available at SPC, and she quickly applied to fill the position.

“ I enjoy working in the atmosphere of SPC immensley,” Dodson says. “It’s a great place to be. Although I don’t get out of the Science Building often, the faculty is wonderful and we get a long great. Sometimes we have our different views on certain subjects; but having those differences and learning from each other is how people grow.”

Students who have had Dodson as an instructor and had the opportunity to see her teaching style first hand know that she brings something extra to the classroom.

“I remember what it feels like to be a student with a job and four other classes,” Dodson says. “I remember how hard it is sometimes to get up and come sit in class. I can put myself in their shoes and can relate pretty well and try to have a good understanding.”

 Dodson teaches botany and zoology for non-majors. For the students who enroll in her class, these subjects are usually not on their list of favorite classes.

“It’s a difficult class that contains a lot of different material, but I really do expect a lot out of people, and I want effort from my students,” Dodson says. “If a student shows me effort and that they care, then I will do everything I can to help them learn. If a person leaves my classroom and doesn’t remember a thing about botany five years down the road, maybe I did teach them something about themselves, or how to study, so it benefits them, being responsible for their education, priorities and decisions. Another valuable lesson is how to be a student and to want to learn. These are the skills that are capable of being picked up in these classes.”

Outside of the classroom, Dodson is just as exciting and rambunctious as she is when teaching.

“Sometimes I don’t realize I’m being enthusiastic until I’m up there jumping up and down,” she says.

Dodson has an extremely active and fun-loving personality, no matter what she is doing. Besides teaching, she also loves being outdoors, cycling, or running. She also dabbles in drawing when she has spare time. One of her other hobbies is yoga. Not only is she an instructor, but she enjoys participating as well.

“Yoga focuses your mind on your body and relaxes your mind,” Dodson says. “I think one of the worst things you can do to yourself is keep negative thoughts or feelings inside of you. It starts messing with your attitude, the way you interact with people and your feelings. I tell people it takes practice but is extremely rewarding.”

Although Dodson enjoys numerous activities, teaching is still the most rewarding for her.

To students wanting to fullfill or even change their majors to biology and pursue a career in teaching, Dodson offers some personal advice.

“Take as many hands-on field work classes that are available,” Dodson says. “Whatever university you end up going to, find a professor there that you “click” with and make that person a part of your life, work with them, take their classes. But also get the viewpoints of numerous different people. Make sure to pay attention to all the teaching styles and find your very own. Do what you feel comfortable with, and go into your classroom with some enthusiasm. Make sure to make it something you really love, so your students will love it with you!”

One can tell that Dodson loves what she does by listening to one of her lectures on “Unity and Diversity,” or simply by watching her interact in the classroom. Enthusiasm and positive attitudes can be extremely contagious. When in Dodson’s presence, it’s very easy to “catch” a characteristic that one might want to hold on to.

Dodson says the best thing about teaching is “when I explain something to somebody and I’ve been trying to teach it to them for a week, and they say, ‘I don’t get it, or I don’t understand’. All of a sudden, one day something clicks and the light comes on, and you can see their eyes get big, and they finally understand! It’s really exciting to me to see students grow and learn and get something out of what I’m trying to teach them.”

           

Photo by Kathryn Aguirre/Plainsman Press