Dr. Peggy Weber

Peggy C. Weber

MSW program director and Associate Professor

It is my belief that teaching and learning is an interactive process. In courses I teach I want students to participate in class discussions. To do this they must be present to contribute to the learning process. I provide material to students via lecture and also through a question and dialogue process to initiate this interaction.

It is also my belief baccalaureate social work education should prepare students for professional social work. Social workers need to be able to speak and write well, have good generalist social work skills, and have good professional work skills. To develop these skills I utilize assignments that are written and oral. I have an attendance policy that encourages students to attend class and to be punctual. I also model these behaviors to the students.
   

My role for the students, and the student’s role for class, is to be prepared for class and to be respectful of each other. I follow the syllabi schedules for my courses and notify students in advance if there are changes. I attempt to review with students at the end of class what is to be addressed during the next scheduled class period.

Respect for the dignity and worth of each individual is modeled and as disagreements occur, I use the National Association of Social Worker’s Code of Ethics as a tool to promote respect.

I believe student’s learn in a variety of ways and excel differently. I have been developing my skills to teach through different mediums: lecture, class discussion, group work, and use of the blackboard, overhead projector, and computer via PowerPoint presentations. I have developed exams with a variety of styles (essay, multiple choice, true/false, matching) for student’s who might have difficulty with one particular style.

I think teaching also includes being available to the students. I have posted office hours and am available at other times through the week for students. I encourage students to bring their work to me for feedback prior to due dates and to contact me if they have questions.

My teaching philosophy includes following the Council on Social Work Education guidelines, the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics, Indiana State University guidelines, and the Department of Social Work protocol. Following these guidelines means participating as a team member to continue to develop the quality of the profession, the student, the university, the department, and my teaching skills.

It is also important to me to continue to develop my knowledge and skills as a social worker and to stay abreast of issues currently impacting the field of social work.