John Houston
Saint Cloud
Summary
I've been a teacher in post-secondary education for eighteen years. Fifteen of those years were spent in University teaching. In recent years I've been working to bring educational opportunities to underprivileged people and those who do not have access to traditional college classrooms.
Dedicated [Type] professional with [Number] years of expertise providing instruction to undergraduate students. Adaptable to student needs and willing to change up teaching approaches to promote learning. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
To seek and maintain full-time position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal skills, excellent time management and problem-solving skills.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Professor of Philosophy & Public Speaker
Logos4Wisdom LLC
05.2021 - Current
- Designed and delivered courses for students who do not have access to traditional college classrooms.
- Engaged students by encouraging participation in class and sharing thoughts on subjects under discussion.
- Conducted educational and engaging lectures centered on such topics as ethics, critical thinking, and contemporary moral issues.
- Helped students to apply therapeutic, ethical philosophical concepts to their everyday lives.
- Cultivated a desire for lifelong learning for students from all walks of life.
- Developed an area of specialization on the ethics & moral implications of AI and provided educational public speaking events on AI and the future of education, AI and the future of democracy, and AI and the future of humanity.
Professor of Philosophy
Wisdom's Edge Inc.
05.2021 - 02.2024
- Developed online and in-person courses for non-traditional and underprivileged people who do not have access to traditional public classrooms.
- Developed innovative teaching strategies that incorporated multimedia resources to better engage modern learners in complex philosophical concepts.
- Contributed to a positive learning environment by fostering open dialogue, mutual respect, and intellectual curiosity among students.
- Encouraged ethical awareness among students by integrating real-world case studies into lessons exploring moral dilemmas and decision-making processes.
- Improved student comprehension by incorporating diverse teaching methods and philosophical perspectives in lectures.
- Consistently received positive feedback from students on end-of-course evaluations regarding clarity of instruction, enthusiasm for the subject matter, and ability to facilitate meaningful class discussions.
- Expanded students'' critical thinking skills through the implementation of Socratic questioning techniques in class discussions.
Professor of Philosophy
College Of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University
08.2013 - 05.2021
- Contributed to departmental goals by serving on various committees focused on curriculum development, faculty hiring, program assessment, and accreditation requirements.
- Mentored students as an advisor for undergraduate philosophy majors, providing career guidance, academic support, and practical life advice for life advancement
- Encouraged ethical awareness among students by integrating real-world case studies into lessons exploring moral dilemmas and decision-making processes.
- Promoted interdisciplinary collaboration between Philosophy and other academic departments on campus through joint courses and special events.
- Enhanced curriculum quality by collaborating with colleagues to develop engaging course materials and assessments.
- Actively participated in department meetings and committees aimed at improving program offerings, recruitment efforts, retention rates, and overall student satisfaction.
- Developed quizzes, exams, and projects to test undergraduate students' knowledge and understanding of subject matter covered in classes.
- Maintained student attendance records, grades and other required records to meet departmental standards and monitor student progress.
- Provided online instruction in philosophy to students traveling, living remotely, or unable to participate in typical classroom settings.
- Facilitated stimulating and thought-provoking class discussions on a range of philosophical topics.
- Prepared and delivered lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as ethics, logic and contemporary religious thought.
- Facilitated student-led projects and activities to supplement coursework and deepen understanding of philosophical topics, philosophers and applications of different theories.
- Led departmental efforts to revise the curriculum for greater coherence, alignment with disciplinary standards, and student success outcomes.
In-Home Daycare Provider
Let It Shine Daycare
06.2007 - 12.2012
- Provided a welcoming atmosphere where families felt comfortable entrusting their child's care.
- Maintained a clean, safe, and organized space for daily activities, ensuring child safety and comfort.
- Assisted children in developing self-help skills like toilet training, handwashing, dressing independently, and feeding themselves appropriately according to their age level.
- Maintained CPR certification.
- Maintained "Back to Sleep" certification for safe sleeping practices for infants.
- Maintained Child & Adult Care Food Program certification.
Caretaker & Night Security Staff
I Believe In Me Ranch
06.2000 - 08.2000
- Supervised the security of in-patient at-risk youth.
- Ensured safe sleeping practices.
- Remained alert to problems or health issues of clients and competently responded.
- Enhanced community safety through regular property inspections and timely reporting of potential hazards.
- Monitored and maintained cleanliness, sanitation, and organization of the home.
- Maintained accurate records of activities, incidents, and resident information for regulatory compliance.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Philosophy, History, Political Science
University of Nebraska At Kearney
Kearney, NEBachelor of Arts - Philosophy
Binghamton University
Binghamton, NY05.2002
Classical Studies
Campion College
San Francisco, CAClassical Greek
University of Chicago
Chicago, ILPh.D. - Philosophy
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN05.2012
Skills
- Teaching
- Academic Advising
- Career & Life Mentoring
- Personal Tutoring
- Discussion Facilitation
- Student Assessment Creation
- Curriculum Development
- Course Design & Syllabi Preparation
- Class and Lesson Planning
- Writing Feedback
- Conference Presentations & Public Speaking
- Office Hours Management
- Online Instruction & Remote Learning Support
- Conceptual Clarity
- Philosophical Writing
- Guest Lecture Coordination
- Logical Analysis
- Ethical Reasoning
- Textual Interpretation
- Socratic Questioning
- Academic Research & Publication
Timeline
Professor of Philosophy & Public Speaker
Logos4Wisdom LLC
05.2021 - Current
Professor of Philosophy
Wisdom's Edge Inc.
05.2021 - 02.2024
Professor of Philosophy
College Of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University
08.2013 - 05.2021
In-Home Daycare Provider
Let It Shine Daycare
06.2007 - 12.2012
Caretaker & Night Security Staff
I Believe In Me Ranch
06.2000 - 08.2000
Bachelor of Arts - Philosophy, History, Political Science
University of Nebraska At Kearney
Bachelor of Arts - Philosophy
Binghamton University
Classical Studies
Campion College
Classical Greek
University of Chicago
Ph.D. - Philosophy
Purdue University