Leslie Opp-Beckman

American English Institute and Linguistics Department

leslieob@uoregon.edu | 541-915-2089

Courses: LTS 435/535 and non-credit professional development teacher training courses (grant awards)

In my courses you will:

  • Learn with and from peers.
  • Develop a significant project that will challenge you and make you proud.

I was invited into the Teaching Academy because:

  • I participated in the UO Summer Teaching Institute.

In what ways are you working to make your teaching inclusive?

I've made choices to improve students' sense of belonging by providing opportunities for them to interact and share with each other. I also have been adjusting assignments (discussions, projects, etc.) based on students' interests, needs, and concerns.

What do you do in terms of professional engagement with the teaching and learning culture on campus or nationally?

I read continuously on topics related to my field and online education. Some examples of highlights for 2018 for me were - receiving an award as an English Language Specialist for the U.S. Department of State to work with educators from Turkey and Jordan in Izmir; - providing a webinar for a professional teachers organization in Kazakhstan; - serving as a Dean's Fellow for Online Education in the College of Arts and Sciences; and - serving on the leadership team for the UO's Office of the provost 2018 Summer Teaching Academy.

In what ways was your teaching in this course research-led—informed by research on how students learn and inflected by UO's research mission?

I always start with a needs analysis to determine students' interests. I adjust content and assignments as needed, and establish clear learning goals/outcomes with measurable objectives and transparent assessment (e.g., use of rubrics). Students engage in project-based learning (based on principles for constructivism and self-directed learning) and action research in areas of interest to them. Reflection is a regular part of our discussions and written work as well.

What is your proudest professional achievement?

It took me eight years but I managed to complete my PhD while working and, with the support of my husband and family, raising two children.

What is your proudest professional achievement?

Being selected as the recipient of the UO's award for Outstanding Accomplishment for NTTF Researcher in 2013.