Instructional Observation of Chef David Hooper, Jackson College, Lenawee LISD Kitchen
Observer: Ronald Betzig
Date/Time: Saturday, January 28, 2017, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Location: JC @ LISD Tech
Course/Section: CUL 210-71 Garde Manger
Since the culinary arts are outside of my realm of expertise (for example I learned during this session that “Garde Manger” is a French phrase referring to an area where cold foods are prepared and stored), the focus of my observation was student engagement. And I was pleased to see that it was very high.
Chef Hooper has established a culture of professionalism in the kitchen. All students were focused on their work, each seemingly fully aware of what they had to do and how their role fit into the overall ebb and flow of the kitchen. Students had completed a lecture from Chef Hooper before my arrival, and clearly, they were motivated and equipped to produce the culinary offerings that he had in mind.
While students were all on-task, they were also comfortable enough to interact with each other in a pleasant way while working, as well as ask questions of both Chef Hooper and their classmates. Each student was expertly dressed in a chef’s uniform, and conducted their work in the kitchen in a very systematic manner. From my point of view, the cleanliness of the kitchen was impeccable.
Chef Hooper was clearly present as students prepared their dishes, but he was not hovering over them. He gave them the freedom to complete their work, clearly acknowledging that he thought of them as professionals. As final evidence of their engagement, students were eager to offer me samples of their culinary creations to taste. They were excellent, making me want to return for more!
Instructional Observation of Ronald Betzig, Jackson College, Maher Campus
Observer: David Hooper
Date/Time: Thursday, January 26, 2017, 11:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
Location: Maher Campus (North Campus)
Course/Section: BUA 122 Successful Small Business
As I enter the classroom of Professor Ronald Betzig, he explained to me that it was the first day of class (the course had a delayed start date). I initially thought there couldn’t be much to glean from this observation, seeing that most first days are little more than an introduction. However, I was wrong. Before Professor Betzig began, I started thinking about my first day of class. Thoughts of not being prepared for a new course, or haven prepared to little or too much (overloading the student) on the first day. I began to pay close attention to Professor Betzig and his approach.
First and foremost, Professor Betzig was prepared and ready. After introducing himself, each student received a hand copy of the course syllabus, in addition to the electronic version sent prior to class. Afterwards, each student was given the opportunity to introduce themselves through what Professor Betzig called the “Name Game.” During the Name Game, students learn more about each other, moved around the class, and was taught the importance of “networking.”
Taking advantage of my present, Professor Betzig allowed me to speak to the class from 11:30 a.m. until 11:43 a.m. I was given the opportunity to address the class and talk to them about my experience of running a small business. Professor Betzig, used parts of my speech as an opportunity to communicate the importance of passion, drive, and high levels of skill needed to operate a small business. From this point, until my departure, Professor Betzig lectured to the class by way of PPT presentation, skillfully moving from material to real life examples. In my assessment, “all” of the students seemed comfortable and eager to be part of this course, especially Heather and Chase, whose names I remembered from the Name Game.