October 6, 2009
Hughes-Belding enhances teaching by incorporating personal life experiences
By
Michelle Rydell
For Kere Hughes-Belding, teaching students from personal life experiences is just as essential as incorporating cutting-edge research into the classroom.
Hughes-Belding, an assistant professor in human development and family studies at Iowa State University, is ceaselessly looking for new ways to engage and edify her students. Her ability to connect her personal and professional experiences is just one of the reasons her students value her as an educator.
“My students like to learn from someone who has experiences and can relate to them on a personal level, and doesn’t just present the data all the time,” Hughes-Belding said. “I have the research knowledge of the topics that I teach, but I have personal knowledge too, so I try to integrate those things for students and also draw on their life experiences.”
Hughes-Belding has been at Iowa State for six years, teaching courses in infant and toddler curriculum and assessment, parent and family diversity issues, and social and emotional development. As the parent of two young children, who has been through a divorce and later the death of her children’s father, as well as a remarriage, Hughes-Belding understands the complex intricacies of family life and conveys that to her students.
“Relating my personal experiences to students and engaging in discussion around their own experiences helps them see the value of trying new strategies and understand that there are multiple ways of solving problems,” she said. “My hope is that students will have a bigger toolbox when supporting the diverse needs of the families.”
By blending her own background with research, Hughes-Belding gives her students the ability to understand difficult issues in a pragmatic way. This approach allows students to apply their knowledge to improve the lives of their clients.
“We need to recognize that part of our profession is being a human being,” she said. “Students like to be able to relate to a person’s experience, to see that they are not alone and that particular struggles are not limited to any group of people. It helps break down feelings of isolation and stereotypes about families.”
Hughes-Belding’s roots in psychology began at a young age, when she realized her interest in human behavior.
“People intrigue me,” Hughes-Belding said. “I became enamored with psychology— the idea that we can systematically learn how people develop and we can use it in a way that is helpful to people and families.”
Hughes-Belding’s research relates to early childhood education and the quality of childcare. She is currently studying the quality of care and education in family childcare provider homes and centers. Her research also focuses on infant and toddler assessment, using individual growth and development indicators to determine progress. Her most recent studies concentrate on teaching strategies for English language learners, which would aid teachers in helping children develop communication skills in their native language as well as in a secondary language.
Hughes-Belding says Iowa State is the ideal place for her to teach and research because of its supportive atmosphere and its strong, positive relationships between students and faculty.
“The faculty supports the students, and the students seem to be really motivated, and I love that culture,” Hughes-Belding said.
