FIYou: Darrel Elmore

Name: Darrel Elmore

Hometown: Louisville, Ky.

Job Title/Department: Instructor, Undergraduate Writing Program, English Department

Campus: Biscayne Bay Campus

In a nutshell: I teach ENC 1101 and 1102, as well as Professional and Technical Writing (ENC 3213) and special topics courses such as The Coastal Environment in Rhetoric and Literature.

Number of years at FIU: 3

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Learning from my students. I never knew that fluorescent light bulbs should be taken to a facility, not thrown in the trash, because mercury can leak from the bulbs into the water supply. My students have taught me other valuable tips as well, such as how to box out properly for a rebound and which Netflix selections to avoid. They were certainly right about Borat.

What do you think students and your fellow faculty/staff should know about your department?

The English Department, perhaps because it is a unit made up of four prongs (linguistics, literature, rhetoric/composition and creative writing), is particularly welcoming of cross-disciplinary approaches to teaching and learning.

Where is your favorite spot on campus? Why?

The gravel beach by the bay is a scenic spot, ideal for reflection and relaxation. Also, it’s the locale where one of my classes shot an original YouTube video to raise awareness of coastal environment issues. To see that video and learn more about protecting the oceans, students and faculty are welcome to check out FABRACE.org.

What is one thing you wish everyone knew about FIU?

I wish everyone knew about FIU’s School for the Environment and Society. I am proud of the fact that FIU is committed to educating people about (and conducting research to attempt to preserve) the environment, as evidenced by the English Department’s recent hiring of a new eco-critic.

How are you “Worlds Ahead”?

I spent a lot of effort this semester, per the request of the director of Composition, coming up with ways to make the Professional and Technical Writing curriculum more focused on international issues and technology. I consider myself privileged to be working at an institution that values diversity, globalization and an innovative approach to integrating technology into the classroom.

Family snapshot:

Single, with one “child”: a three-year-old black lab named Lucky.

Word that best describes you: In class: “enthusiastic.” On the basketball court: “trash talker.”

First paying job: Student worker for my alma mater, Murray State University.

Favorite TV show: House.

What is playing on your iPod?

What iPod? I still use a CD player! You can usually find me listening to something baroque.

Your proudest accomplishment:

Tough choice: I’m tempted to say winning the bronze medal in basketball with some students last fall at BBC, but actually being awarded a grant to teach the coastal environment class this spring was an even greater honor. Together, we conducted research, created a Web site and videos, read and wrote frequently about ocean related issues and even cleaned up Sunny Isles Beach. I’m proud of the work my students did. If these students are “our future,” then we are in good hands.

What do you do when you are not working at FIU?

Reading, writing, enjoying sports, watching movies and playing Scrabble.