Faculty Highlights

For our March 2016 Highlight, Carrie Morrow was interviewed by Janette Larson

Carrie Morrow has pretended to intertube down a river in front of the classroom to illustrate essay flow. While some might think this kind of unorthodox teaching is surprising, if you know her, you know that colorful, memorable, and entertaining metaphors are just part of her teaching style.

She said, “When I was a student I often relied on my teachers to be a medium between complex concepts that I didn’t understand, and the knowledge I already had. As a student, I relied on teachers who could translate for me. So, it became natural for me to translate academic concepts into objects and ideas that students could recognize from their everyday lives.”

When asked about the best advice she could offer college students, she said, “Every class, every conversation, and every lesson helps. Every piece of advice from peers and teachers also helps. In the moment, sometimes it seems silly, meaningless, or pointless. But, there’s always a purpose for it, even if you can’t see it right away.”

To conclude this faculty profile, Carrie agreed to answer the questionnaire that James Lipton used on the TV show “Inside the Actor’s Studio.” Lipton asked the actor he was highlighting the following questions at the end of his show.

1.  What is your favorite word?

I have two.  The first is "le chat" which is French for cat, and it sounds like a curse word, but it's not.  The second is "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."  It really is fun to say, especially backwards.

2.  What is your least favorite word?

"Very" bothers me.  There are so many other words to use, and it seems like people only use it when they are being dramatic.  "I'm VERY upset right now."  Really?  You just seem normal-upset.

3.  What turns you on creatively, spiritually, or emotionally?

Music has a way of making my brain turn on.  I actually listen to up-beat music on my way to class (but I turn it down and quit dancing when I pull into the parking lot).  When I listen to softer music, I'm usually inspired to do something more creative.

4.  What turns you off?

Poor grammar.  They're/their/there.  Get it together, people.

5.  What is your favorite curse word/phrase?

Son of a nutcracker

6.  What sound or noise do you love?

The sound of my nephew's laugh.

7.  What sound or noise do you hate?

Silence.  Does that count?  I was the youngest of five kids, and I grew up with constant noise.  That's why I hate tests and in-class essays.  I get anxious with so much silence.

8.  What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

I'd love to be a screenwriter.  Otherwise, I could see myself as a character at Disneyland - I'd probably ask to work on the Jungle Cruise, too.

9.  What profession would you not like to do?

A  tollbooth attendant.  I'd always worry about running out of change, or having to force someone to go back home, when they're excited to go on their adventures and vacations.  

10.  If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

He doesn't have to say anything.  A high-five would do just fine.