Classes are going well so far and i have already come up with a preliminary schedule for next semester. Registration for the Winter will begin soon so pay attention to your emails as well as my blog for when registration begins. The Fall is normally when things start to come to a close but Berkeley continues to bring in the new stuff. Along with a new Student Center and bookstore the Berkeley Website has undergone a massive make over. It is now more attractive and easier to navigate as well and has the bloggers front and center on the home page. To continue with the trend of adding new stuff not only will I be adding interviews with faculty but I am starting a Word on the Street segment where i will actually interview other Berkeley Students. I am hoping that this will bring more of the whole Berkeley experience to prospective students or new students.
Continuing with my interviews with faculty this week I interviewed Professor Montlack. I know professor Montlack because I had him for Oral Communication and he is a professor that is well educated and will improve your speeches and presentations. Without further ado i present my interview with Professor Michael Montlack.
Isaac Salles- Good evening Professor Montlack and thank you for your time. I would like to start off by asking, What department do you work for and what classes do you normally teach.
Michael Montlack- I work for the English department and I teach Oral Communication, English Composition 1,2,3 and Literature.
IS- What is your educational background?
MM-I have a BA, MA and MFA (Masters in Fine Arts) all in creative writing and literature. I got my BA from Hofstra University, my MA from San Francisco State University and my MFA from the New School in New York City.
IS- How long have you been at Berkeley College?
MM- I have been with Berkeley for 10 years.
IS-One of your classes that you teach is Oral Communication. When I was a student of yours one of your assignments is to advertise our favorite product. Advertise briefly on why students should either take Oral Communication or any of the other classes that you teach.
MM-Oral Communication helps to give students a comfortable environment in order to gain confidence in the speaking and presenting for future professional situations.
IS-You have a poetry reading this Friday and its from your own work. What is the name of the book that you will be reading from?
MM-This Friday's reading is from my new poetry book entitled Girls,Girls,Girls (All Poems about women and girls).
IS-How many other books or collections of your personal works do you have?
MM-I have three books:
The book Cover Charge can currently be bought by following the link http://www.gertrudepress.org/backissues/chap2007/michael.html. "My Diva" will be in bookstores in March 2009.
IS-Why do you like poetry?
MM-I like poetry for its music, power and its ability to transform experience into meaning.
IS-In all your years have you learned anything from your students and if you have, what is the most memorable?
MM-I have learned from my students about the power of hard work. An example of this is one of my International Students who started at Berkeley College with an Associates degree. He got an internship at the United Nations and graduated Berkeley College with a Bachelors. The student then went on to achieve two masters degrees.
IS-Is there anything you want to add to either encourage students to come to Berkeley College or to take your classes?
MM-One of the best things about teaching at Berkeley College is having small classes. This allows me to get to know my students and for my students to get to know me. This is very unusual for many colleges and it is what Berkeley students seem to enjoy the most. I invite all students, even though they are business majors, to approach their writing and literature classes seriously because they will help make them better students, professionals and communicators in general. Literature is also a great way to learn about the world, history, psychology and the art of writing.
IS-Since I was a former students one of our projects was doing an interview where we were the applicant and you were the interviewer. How would you say I did as the interviewer?
MM- I think you did great. I am glad to see one of my students conducting himself professionally.
I would like to thank Professor Montlack for his time and if you wish to attend his reading this Friday here is the information:
Please come hear me read
from my new poetry chapbook
Girls, Girls, Girls
this Friday, October 10, at 6 pm.
At the Cornelia Street Cafe
PINK PONY WEST SERIES
in the West Village:
29 Cornelia Street.
($7 gets you entrance, a drink and poetry.)
How to get to the Cornelia Street Café
The Cornelia Street Café � 29 Cornelia Street, NYC 10014 � 212-989-9319
By Subway
A, C, E, B, D, F & V TRAINS
* Get on the south end of the train.
* Take the train to the West 4th Street stop.
* Exit at West 3rd Street.
* Walk one block north to 4th Street.
* Make an acute left onto Cornelia Street.
1 & 9 TRAINS
* Take the train to the Sheridan Square stop.
* Walk 21/2 blocks east on West 4th Street.
* Make a right onto Cornelia Street.
I hope to be there and hopefully you will come and support one of our best professors at Berkeley.
Now it is time for the Rebecca and Jose corner. Rebecca did one of the most funniest things today. Jose woke up from one of his many naps and started to fuss. Rebecca got his pacifier and actually told him to open his mouth by going "AAAH" but did it so loud that it startled little Jose. I think he actually wanted to retreat back into his nap. That is all for now and I will see you in the future.
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