Faculty and Staff of MTSU's Developmental Studies Department

Sheila Otto, Associate Professor

Box 16, Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
Office: Peck Hall 240
Office Phone: (615) 898-5586
E-mail: sotto@mtsu.edu

Education:
Ph.D. in English Education, Vanderbilt University, 2001
Ed.S. in curriculum and instruction, MTSU, 1994
M.A. in English, MTSU, 1990
B.S. in English, Vanderbilt University, 1980

Experience:
Instructor, Developmental Studies, MTSU, August 1990-present
GTA, English Department, MTSU, 1988 -1990

Date of employment with MTSU Developmental Studies: August 1990

A few achievements or accomplishments:
several regional and national conference presentations
serve on TNADE Executive Board

Some interesting or time consuming projects: I recently conducted a
semester-long ethnographic study in a Basic Writing Classroom where I
investigated the social construction of identity in students' oral discussion
and written work.

Describe your teaching style: My classes are usually a combination of
lectures, discussion, and group work.

What do you like most about teaching? I most enjoy the personal contact
with students.
Least? Sometimes, the amount of grading I have to do seems overwhelming and
not particularly enjoyable.

What do you expect from your students? I expect my students to be prepared
for class, hard-working, fair, and honest.

What should they expect from you? They can expect me to be prepared for
class, hard-working, fair, and honest as well.

Areas of interest outside the classroom: reading, travel, and sports

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