One summer, when we were having trouble with one of our teenage sons, Sylvia told me to "just go sit in his room and talk for a bit - every day. Even if he seems like he doesn't want to listen, he will". This has been fabulous advice, and six years later we are all getting along great. In fact, just sitting face to face with people to be able to REALLY listen has been good advice in my teaching as well as my personal relationships. How does someone become a better teacher or a more responsive adminstrator? "Listen to the students - and keep listening". Great drops of wisdom from Dr. Bozeman.
During challenging times as an Instructor of Mathematics, I felt overwhelmed and defeated. Just before, I gave up Dr. Bozeman stopped by my office and said "Don't depend so heavily on the textbook during your lecture. Get the lecture from another source. Write out your lecture for every class. It does not mean that you do not know what you are talking about." This has been a source of wisdom that I presently use. It really helps me to not keep everything bottled up in my brain (trust me there is a lot going on up there):) as I used to in the past! Thanks. I listen whenever you speak and I take action-oriented steps.:) Katrina Harden Williams
When I got married I was dead set on losing my last name and only taking on my husband's name. My mother didn't keep her last name and I am somewhat old fashioned so I thought nope I am definitely going to change my name. I told Dr. Bozeman this one day and she urged me to keep my last name. I told her that I had thought long and hard about it and had made the decision not to. In fact there was even a question during a game at my bridal shower about my new name and everyone that guessed Farrah Monique Chandler won a prize. The day I went to get my new social security card I sat on my bed and began to think and it seemed like Dr. Bozeman’s spirit appeared. When I finally got to the Social Security office I decided to keep my last name and now I am Farrah Jackson Chandler.
I worked in the Mathematics Department, as the Administrative Asst. when I first met Dr. Bozeman. She was returning from Sabbitical, which I thought was a special type of vacation she was returning from. I am a non- traditional student but nonethe less my potential of higher learning was apparent and Dr. Bozeman encouraged me to take classes and acquire a degree if I so chose. Thankfully after many years of taking classes and praying, May 2007 I graduated. Dr. Bozeman was my supervisor, mentor and always supportive of my accomplishment. I honor Dr. Bozeman because she doesn't expect anything in return but should be given all the necessary claps and whistles. She is truly an inspiration to me and all the students she has taught and touched in her special way. Yeah Dr. Bozeman..... Continue to do the thang that you do best . . . . Lorraine Savoy
Thank you for contributing to this blog. Please leave your reflections, well wishes and expressions of endearment for Sylvia Bozeman who is being honored with the prestigious Etta Z. Falconer Award on November 3, 2007.
4 comments:
One summer, when we were having trouble with one of our teenage sons, Sylvia told me to "just go sit in his room and talk for a bit - every day. Even if he seems like he doesn't want to listen, he will". This has been fabulous advice, and six years later we are all getting along great. In fact, just sitting face to face with people to be able to REALLY listen has been good advice in my teaching as well as my personal relationships. How does someone become a better teacher or a more responsive adminstrator? "Listen to the students - and keep listening". Great drops of wisdom from Dr. Bozeman.
During challenging times as an Instructor of Mathematics, I felt overwhelmed and defeated. Just before, I gave up Dr. Bozeman stopped by my office and said
"Don't depend so heavily on the textbook during your lecture. Get the lecture from another source. Write out your lecture for every class. It does not mean that you do not know what you are talking about." This has been a source of wisdom that I presently use. It really helps me to not keep everything bottled up in my brain (trust me there is a lot going on up there):) as I used to in the past!
Thanks. I listen whenever you speak and I take action-oriented steps.:)
Katrina Harden Williams
When I got married I was dead set on losing my last name and only taking on my husband's name. My mother didn't keep her last name and I am somewhat old fashioned so I thought nope I am definitely going to change my name. I told Dr. Bozeman this one day and she urged me to keep my last name. I told her that I had thought long and hard about it and had made the decision not to. In fact there was even a question during a game at my bridal shower about my new name and everyone that guessed Farrah Monique Chandler won a prize. The day I went to get my new social security card I sat on my bed and began to think and it seemed like Dr. Bozeman’s spirit appeared. When I finally got to the Social Security office I decided to keep my last name and now I am Farrah Jackson Chandler.
I worked in the Mathematics Department, as the Administrative Asst. when I first met Dr. Bozeman. She was returning from Sabbitical, which I thought was a special type of vacation she was returning from. I am a non- traditional student but nonethe less my potential of higher learning was apparent and Dr. Bozeman encouraged me to take classes and acquire a degree if I so chose. Thankfully after many years of taking classes and praying, May 2007 I graduated. Dr. Bozeman was my supervisor, mentor and always supportive of my accomplishment. I honor Dr. Bozeman because she doesn't expect anything in return but should be given all the necessary claps and whistles. She is truly an inspiration to me and all the students she has taught and touched in her special way. Yeah Dr. Bozeman..... Continue to do the thang that you do best . . . .
Lorraine Savoy
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