Introduction

My name is Mitchell Alegre. I want to use this weblog to explore the topics of teaching and learning. I already keep journals but blogging provides the opportunity to share with others. Of course, I may be simply talking to myself. Even if no one is reading these entries, however, writing them gives me a way to organize my thoughts. Perhaps my thoughts will spark someone else’s thinking. So in the event that someone else may read these entries, I will try to keep them short.

It may be helpful for you to have some background on me. I am currently a full-time Adjunct Professor of Management in the College of Business Administration at Niagara University in Lewiston, New York, just north of Niagara Falls. I also teach undergraduate courses in Communication Studies at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, and a leadership course in the college’s graduate program in Organizational Communications and Development. For the past 21 years I have operated my own consulting and training business. I focus on personal and organizational development. My area of expertise is the people issues within organizations. My passion is leadership development. I continue to consult with clients along with fulfilling my teaching responsibilities. My client work keeps me connected with the realities of the workplace.

My experience working with people at all levels in organizational hierarchies and from all types of organizations is one of the strengths I bring to my teaching. Some may consider my thoughts on learning and education naïve since I come from outside the academic system. However, I consider this to be an advantage. I bring an outsider’s perspective and curiosity.

The older I get (I am 54) the more passionate I become about learning. I look forward to the opportunity to explore the subjects of teaching and learning with whomever else may wish to join in the discussion.