ABOUT PAUL
My name is Dr. Paul Michalec. I believe that the purpose of education is to transform the emotional, intellectual, and spiritual life of the learner, whether student or teacher. I believe, consistent with the root meaning of education, that transformation is the process of drawing out the inner wisdom of the learner. My responsibility as an educator is to create an engaged and rigorous learning environment where learners are invited into deep relationship with self, the content we are studying, and other members of a classroom community. Academic success is premised more on change and transformation of the learner rather than the capacity to present back to me specific forms of information. This blog is an invitation to explore these concepts while also providing insights and practical ways for turning these teaching ideas into achievable goals.
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After receiving my Ph.D. from the University of Colorado-Boulder I served as the director of student teaching at Skidmore College for five-years. In 2005, I became a Circle of Trust® facilitator prepared by the Center for Courage & Renewal. I regularly lead Courage-informed retreats and professional development for educators, clergy, community activists and health care providers. In 2006 I joined the Morgridge College of Education at the University of Denver as a Clinical Professor in Curriculum and Instruction and Teacher Education. In 2015, I was honored for my teaching when I was named the University of Denver’s Distinguished Teacher. In 2020, I completed a Master of Theological Studies from the Iliff School of Theology. My thesis examined the formation of higher education in antiquity (2nd and 3rd centuries) and the founding-vision of educator as mystagogue, a teacher who mystified the curriculum, instead of pedagogue who mostly delivers content. If you want to read more about my teaching and scholarly work you can access my professional portfolio site at: http://portfolio.du.edu/pmichale
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I can be reached at paul.michalec@du.edu Thank you for your interest in my work and the craft of teaching.
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