New Collaborations

Another new face in the College of Education is Dr. Sharon Weaver.

An assistant professor in the Department of Counseling, Rehabilitation and Interpreter Training, Dr. Weaver says she is loving Troy already!

Dr. Weaver was inspired to become an educator while getting her undergraduate degree.

"He had a way of making that class so fascinating," she says, "and he did that by not following the curriculum or textbook."

She explains that this professor, who taught her abnormal psychology class, brought real world examples and experiences to the class room. He made her as a student think beyond what was being read from the textbook, and challenged her.

She then decided she wanted to do that too.

As for joining the department of counseling, rehabilitation, and interpreter training, Dr. Weaver says she always knew she wanted to be in a helping field, and even considered occupational therapy at one time.

Helping those with disabilities in every aspect of their lives narrowed it down for her. Whether it be work, school, or independent living skills, she wanted to make a difference.

When she is not teaching, her time spent researching is done on two topics: the placement and support model of supportive employment for individuals with serious mental illness, and safety, education, and system change for women in prison.

Though they are broad in comparison, she says she enjoys seeing how change in system can positively impact a life.

Her teaching philosophy? A collaborative effort.

"I believe in the student and the professor working together," she says.

According to Dr. Weaver, students should be active in their own learning process, so that they can learn to work with people in the fields they go into, both individuals they help, and supervisors.

"My hope," she says, "is that when we work together collaboratively, they take those lessons learned into their world of work."

While her time here at Troy has been little, she says her favorite part of being here thus far is her coworkers.

Kind, welcoming, and helpful are all used by Dr. Weaver to describe the faculty and staff, and she says she loves it here so far!

"It has been great to know that you come to a new job and have lots of support," she says, "and that has been one of the my favorite things about Troy."