My teaching style is very student oriented, a very warm approach. I believe that students need to feel safe and respected in a classroom in order for them to grow, especially in the field of human services because we are dealing with humans and feelings.
Q&A Michelle Hawley
How did you become interested in Human Services?
I had this great opportunity right after college to work with individuals that were in the criminal justice system who struggled with substance use disorders. That is where my passion began. I loved the idea of helping people when a lot of times they didn't have support in their own family.
Why should someone consider a career in Human Services?
Some advice that I would give students considering human services is to give it a try. Be open minded to it. Have empathy and just be open to learn and change. Human services is such a wonderful career. Here in our program, we learn how to work with people. We help students develop those skills. Not everyone is a good listener and that is a really challenging thing, but in our courses, they will definitely learn how to listen.
How would you describe your teaching style and what can students expect in class with you?
In all of the classes, the students are respected. We work on their own self care, their self growth, while at the same time practicing together in a safe environment. We build slowly on each of the skills until the end of the class. They do very, very well. They apply what they've learned and it is wonderful. They're so excited and I'm very proud of them.
What do you find most rewarding about studying and teaching Human Services?
Having the opportunity to teach the up and coming professionals is absolutely wonderful. When students come into the human services program they have to learn to shift their thinking. And instead of thinking what is wrong with that person or what is wrong with you, it's what happened to you. And as soon as you make that switch, it opens up the avenues to help people to see things in a different way. There is such a stigma that goes along with mental health and substance use disorders. And watching the students get it is just a wonderful feeling.
What do you like to do outside of work?
When I'm not teaching, I love to spend time with my family outdoors, reading, binge watching, and just relaxing because here in human services we talk about self care and how important it is. And if I don't practice what I preach, then how can I teach students about the importance of it and how will they learn?
