Page 22 - Academic Report FINAL VERSION WEB

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Dr. Daneell Moore communities in a yellow school bus with the inten-
tion of fostering community outreach with families.
School of Teacher Education & Behavioral Sciences As these unfamiliar faces stepped off the bus to ap-
proach parents and other community members, the
Dr. Daneell Moore is residents made an about-face and scurried to their
an assistant professor in homes and locked the doors. We knew mini-libraries
the School Education and could be the vehicle to bring the community together
Behavioral Sciences. She for the common purpose of promoting literacy and
joined the MGA faculty in community engagement. I told Mr. Kirby I would do
2017. my part to make his dream a reality. I shared my goals
with my colleagues, the grant writer at the university,
What do you do at MGA? and with community members who would listen. One
Teach education cours- week before mini-libraries were to be built, the project
was fully supported without cash donations or grants.
es in the B.S. in Elementa- What’s one thing that surprised you about working
ry and Special Education at MGA?
program, B.S. in Secondary
Education program, and On a daily basis I am working with family. We sup-
Master of Arts in Teaching port each other. We encourage each other. We laugh
and, on some occasions, shed tears with each other. It
programs. is a wonderful work environment.
What is your most treasured possession?
What energizes you at work?
Seeing students exceed the high expectations that My soul. It houses my intellect and emotions. As
the Good Book states, “What does it profit a man to
were set for them. This encourages me to continue to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36).
provide them high support so they may reach and go Which historical figure do you most identify with?
beyond the high expectations that I set.
Anna Julia Cooper. She was an excellent scholar,
What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re educator, author and community leader. She also held
the position of a high school principal, president of a
really proud of? higher institution, and social activist. Her values and
The mini-library project is a work-related accom- love for children guided her actions and deeds.

plishment I am proud of because it was a collaborative
effort to support our local community. The elementa-
ry school principal Mr. Kirby and his staff wanted to
find a way to make a deep and profound connection
with the surrounding community. A year before this
project initiated, the school faculty visited one of the

Dr. Myungjae Kwak What led you to this career?
I just wanted to work with students as a teacher
School of Computing
and mentor and see them become successful in their
Dr. Myungjae Kwak is an career path. And I wanted to work on interesting re-
associate professor in the search projects that I wouldn’t be able to do if I stayed
School of Computing. He in industry.
joined the MGA faculty in What’s the biggest misconception people have
2011. about your position/job?
What do you do at MGA?
It seems people think IT professors know every-
I teach software en- thing in IT. They don’t. They are experts in their own
gineering and program- areas in IT and don’t know much about other fields.
ming courses, work on an What would we most likely find you doing on the
NSF-funded research proj- weekend?
ect, and serve on universi-
ty- and school-level com- You’ll find me on a golf course.
mittees. Are you an early bird or a night owl?

In what circumstances would I come to you for I am a night owl and like to work late.
something? What’s something—big or small—that you’re really
bad at?
You would come to me if you wanted to learn pro-
gramming languages and software development skills I am really bad at making jokes.
and know how to become a software engineer. Which talent would you most like to have?
What energizes you at work?
I really want to learn how to play piano well. That’s
Students’ growth and success. I feel rewarded as one of my life goals.
a teacher when I see my students grow and they suc- What is your motto?
cessfully get a job after graduation.
Always do your best; always be humble.

18 mga.edu | finding greatness