Joanna Romer
Joanna Romer is a former journalist and currently a freelance writer living in Daytona Beach, Florida. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, Cosmopolitan and other publications. She has taught communications in colleges and universities in New York and Florida, and served as director of a college Writing Center. Joanna Romer's writing interests are education, the arts, and religion and spirituality.
Read More »
...
- Page Views
- 12,825
- Content
- 50
- Fans
- 2
- Contributor since
- 7/22/2010
Education/Experience
M.S., Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University; B.A., Florida State UniversityInterests
swimming, painting, drawing, reading, film, Bible study, politics, community, travel, education, walking on the beach.Favorites
Fans
Displaying Results 1 - 50 (of 50) for All Content
-
We Can Help At-Risk College Students by Bridging the Gap Between Student and TeacherOften unidentified, at-risk college students face serious challenges that hurt their academic performance. By meeting the students at their level, teachers can make a difference.
-
Can Teach-ins Help Rekindle Student Activism? Let's Try it (and Other Efforts as Well!)If teachers want their students to be polticially active, they might have to lead the way. Teach-ins, new courses and other creative methods may be needed to motivate today's skeptical students.
-
Teacher Observations: Why We Need Them (and How to Survive One!)If you are a new teacher facing your first "teacher observation", you're probably wondering why this practice is necessary. But, although controversial, it looks as if teacher observations are here to stay.
-
Cornel West Exhorts His Audience: Indifference is the Real Evil!Attending a lecture by Dr. Cornel West at a local university brought back memories of my 60s activism. This dynamic speaker's message is as timeless as it is profound.
-
"Just Kids" Recounts Patti Smith's Tender Relationship with Artist Robert MapplethorpePatti Smith's biography of her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe will evoke rich memories for anyone who was involved in New York's alternative culture during the 1960s-1970s. More than a love story, it's an almanac of our times.
-
Programs on the "Science of Altruism" Are Gaining Notice on Today's College CampusesAltruism is taking hold on today's college campuses. Not only are programs on the "Science of Altruism" gaining strength, but students are demonstrating that altruism and compassion are values to be taken seriously.
-
Don't Give Up on the Student Writing Crisis in Today's Colleges---Please!Everyone knows that most college students today can't write very well. But let's not wash our hands of this situation---there are solutions!
-
How My Own Stage Fright Made Me a Better Speech TeacherStudies show that many people are more afraid of public speaking than death. But what do you do if you're a teacher battling stage fright in your classroom?
-
Mentoring Programs Gain in Popularity on Today's College CampusesCollege mentoring programs are making an apparance on more and more campuses these days. Whether the mentoring is done by faculty, alumni, or trained mentoring professionals, most programs are reporting an unprecedented degree of success.
-
Raising College Graduation Rates is a Battle Worth the FightThe alarming drop in college graduaton rates has the nation worried. It will take extraordinary efforts to reverse the trend---but isn't the battle worth it?
-
WikiLeaks: Will it Help or Hurt Students and Scholars in Higher Education?Publication of The Pentagon Papers in paperback provided a "teachable moment" for my college classes in 1972. But some academicians feel WikiLeaks ultimately may do more harm than good.
-
Florida Museum for Women Artists Crowns DeLand's Already Extensive Art SceneThe Florida Museum for Women Artists is the only museum in Florida devoted to the work of women artists. This spacious and sophisticated museum is worth the trip from any location!
-
College and University Tenure: A System Under FireTenure, one of academia's most enduring practices, has recently come under severe scrutiny by both the public and higher education itself. Can tenure survive this latest attack?
-
Leadership Programs Increase in Popularity Among Generation Y College StudentsCollege students are flocking to degree programs in Leadership Studies. In an uncertain world, leadership skills can spell the difference between a successful job---and a career on the sidelines.
-
Customer Service: An Increasing Demand at Today's Colleges and UniversitiesCustomer service is a concept not usually associated with higher education. But increasingly, colleges and universities are implementing "customer care" programs in an effort to keep students in school.
-
Visit Gramercy Park: A Slice of Old New York in ManhattanIf you're visiting Manhattan, don't pass up an afternoon in the Gramercy Park neighborhood. History and good food awaits!
-
"Hereafter": A Romantic Look at the Subject of Life After DeathClint Eastwood's "Hereafter" is a lyrical presentation on the life-after-death phenomenon. Engaging characters bring the story home.
-
How to Award Final Grades Using a Compassionate TouchThe grading season is upon us. If this is your first year as a college teacher, you may not have developed a philosphy of grading yet. Here is mine---a bit unorthodox, but it works for me.
-
Using a Collaborative Process to Foster Creativity in the ClassroomIs everyone creative? A collaborative "experiment" in a college classroom seemed to suggest that yes, everybody is!
-
Sanibel Island: A Year-Round Vacation Paradise in FloridaFamous for its unique and colorful shells, Sanibel Island is a pleasure to visit any season of the year. Expensive, yes---but there are also bargains to be found in this tropical paradise.
-
College "Learning Communities": A Valid Tool for Retaining 1st-Year StudentsLearning communities have long played an important role in helping freshmen students adjust to college. Now, increasingly, they are being lauded as tools for student retention.
-
Handling Student Plagiarism: Try a Little Compassion, Please!Are you new to college teaching? Welcome to Generation Y "entitlement"! When it comes to student plagiarism, we can adopt either a hard or soft approach but the choice is never easy.
-
"You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger": Woody Allen's Spicy London SouffleWoody Allen's latest film is a tantalizing mix of romance and comic misanthropy. And English actress Gemma Jones is a pure delight!
-
Eat Pray Love: A Second Look at a Soulful MovieNo, the film is not quite the same as the book. But if you'll take a second look, you may find that "Eat Pray Love" has some special charms of its own.
-
How to Shine at a Job Interview in AcademiaIf you are new to college teaching, you may be surprised at the range of questions you'll encounter on a job interview. Here are some ideas for creative answers to put you at the head of the pack!
-
16 Ways to Savor Central Florida in Fall, Winter and SpringFamilies flock to Central Florida in summer for the white sandy beaches and the attractions of Disney World. But true Florida devotees know the best weather begins in October...and keeps getting better.
-
Teaching Public Opinion in Today's Colleges and UniversitiesIf you are new to the teaching of Public Opinion in a college or university, you may want to go beyond the textbooks for a more user-friendly approach to the subject. Your best teaching aid might be the students themselves!
-
Teaching with Unconditional Love: Let's Follow Jesus' ExampleAre you a teacher struggling to make a difference with your students? Jesus showed the way in Luke 4:18.
-
Sink's New Lead in Governor's Race Sparks Interest in Central FloridaDemocrat Alex Sink's campaign for the governorship of Florida is on a roll. She has a 7-point lead over her Republican opponent, and her supporters are thrilled. But not everybody is ready to give the win to Sink---yet.
-
Agatha Christie: Do We Really Want to "De-code" Her Genius?New productions of Agatha Christie works on PBS's "Masterpiece Mystery" have again stimulated interest in a Christie "linguistic code". But can a computer program really explain the secrets of the world's best selling author?
-
"Sufficient Unto the Day..." Meaning: Let's Stop Our Endless Worrying!The Bible gives us ample support to quell our anxieties and eliminate worrying. Let's start now!
-
How to Do Nothing (Beautifully) at StarbucksSometimes the most meaningful hour in our day is spent doing absolutely nothing. Starbucks provides the perfect space for such an activity.
-
"Ask: It Shall Be Given"...Though Not Always What We Expect!When my last real estate deal collapsed I thought I was near bankruptcy. But God had other plans for me...in a totally different direction.
-
Did Prayer Affect the Path of Hurricane Earl?Hurricane Earl threatened a direct hit to towns all along the East coast of America, yet fell short of the damage predicted. Did prayer make a difference?
-
Using Cognitive Therapy to Help Students Write: A Case StudyStudents experiencing writing problems need encouragement, not censure. This case study shows how one student overcame the "I hate to write" syndrome.
-
The Loaves and Fishes: Biblical Miracle---or Blueprint for Abundance?Relying on God for abundance can sometimes seem like a fantasy. But one of Jesus' most well-known miracles speaks directly to this possibility.
-
How to Handle a College Work Study Job: 4 RemindersIf you accept a work study assignment, be sure to put your best foot forward. Here are some helpful tips to make your work study go smoothly.
-
Summer of Discovery: How God Healed My Inability to WalkOne morning in early summer, 2008 I tried to get out of bed---and found I couldn't walk. But God's love brought about a complete healing, and enabled me to go back to work in fall.
-
Daytona! 4 Ways to Enjoy the "World's Most Famous Beach"If you think Daytona Beach, Florida is all about NASCAR, think again. This lively town has plenty to do on beachside -- just don't forget your bathing suit.
-
What to Do If You're Feeling Overwhelmed at CollegeIf your life at college seems out of control, or if you're not having fun anymore, you need to do something about your situation. Here are five suggestions to combat that "overwhelmed" feeling.
-
Helping Young People Find Jobs Through PrayerYoung adults seeking their first job face special challenges in today's economy. Prayer can help them find their way---and it's needed now more than ever.
-
How to Fight Being Homesick Your First Semster at CollegeDo you feel out of place at college, as if something is missing in your life? This is called "homesickness", and you can beat it with these five simple methods.
-
Facing Natural Disasters: Should We Do More Than Just Pray?When a hurricane or tornado threatens, we usually have several courses of action available. But the best action we can take is to turn to God.
-
5 Ways to Impress Teachers: Get the "A" You DeserveAre you being ignored in class? Are your efforts getting no response? Here are 5 simple ways to assert yourself---and get the A that's rightfully yours.
-
How to Let God Help You Do Well in CollegeAre you worried about your success in college, and don't know where to turn? God is always there to help you, whether the difficulty is a big test or a problem with your roommate.
-
How to Study for College Tests: 3 Steps for SuccessAre your teachers talking about "big tests" already? This article will show you a surefire method of studying effectively for college tests---and you can start the process now!
-
How to Handle a Mean TeacherIs your teacher embarrassing you inclass? Giving you low marks when you don't deserve them? Here are 3 reasons why your teacher may be mean---and some suggestons on what to do about it.
-
Wheelchair Angel: A Random Act of Kindness at SunriseWhat is your view of society---dishonest and corrupt? Or peopled with gentle souls who quietly help others? Small acts of kindness can sometimes tip the scale.
-
Converting Back to Christianity: God's Grace in a Hospital RoomWhen my mother died as a result of cosmetic surgery, I was traumatized. But sitting in her hospital room, I was blessed with a gift from God.
-
New Smyrna Beach's Flagler Avenue: An Artsy Lullaby in FloridaWant a vacation destination that is off the beaten path? Try Flagler Avenue in New Smyrna Beach, a boulevard offering a rich blend of appealing artwork, trendy boutiques, and unsurpassed dining experiences. This is not your typical Florida tourist town!