Years ago, I knew I wanted to be a teacher after seeing the impact my former teachers had on my life. Higher education does not happen in a vacuum. When we can embody the response to what is happening culturally, we can find new methods of celebrating, coping, healing, and resisting. Our students are intellectuals, artists and citizens who have voices that matter. My purpose as an educator is realized when my students leave my class believing that their voices can make change in their lives and their communities.
All About Love: bell hooks Symposium
Community School of the arts
“Professor creates a safe environment for students to share freely with no judgement. Allows students personal experience to be a part of the lesson when it applies.”
New Gallery Field Trip, APSU
Community School of the Arts
African American Expressive Culture Immersion Event —West African Dance
Community School of the Arts
Leaf Chronicle feature, 2022
Students explore the African American experience at APSU 'through the lens of arts and culture
Exploring Charleston's Black History and Heritage
“APSU really has a gem with Professor Amos she is truly dedicated to what she does and you can see it, I wish more Professors were like her in regards to the way she teaches. She is hands down THE BEST Professor that I have experienced since coming to APSU!”
My training is open for students to investigate the multiple ways these concepts can present themselves in their bodies and also specific enough for the dancers to embody them in performance, improvisation and composition when needed. I encourage my students to remain curious in an art form of limitless possibilities because the work is never done. I challenge them to push themselves -- want more, ask more. What more can my body do? What are my limits and how can I push past them?
I feel successful as a teacher when my students can hear multiple perspectives, think critically, make connections and draw conclusions independently. To achieve this success, I have developed specific teaching practices to ensure my students have a successful, insightful, and well-balanced learning experience. By de-centering myself as the sole authority and involving students in the creation of knowledge, I give students the opportunities to not only learn from me, but also each other.
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four years, one favorite
“Overall, without a shadow of a doubt one of my favorite classes my entire four years of being her at Austin Peay. I wish I had taken her courses in person more times than I did before graduation. A phenomenal professor; Austin Peay would lose a gem of teachers if they ever lost her.”
-Former student, Introduction to African American Studies
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enhancing skill, building confidence
“The professor meets students where they academically and then pours into us to enhance our skills. The presentations helped me name certain actions or characters I have seen in film or real life and now I have terms for them. The class was very relatable.”
-Former student, African Americans in Film and Society
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beyond the classroom
“I loved learning how to improv better and how helpful prompts are, I enjoyed working with the piano department it was such an amazing experience, going into the art gallery for more inspiration, and learning different tools and approaches to choreographing. I just loved everything about this class, thank you thank you thank you.”
-Former Student, Dance Composition ll