Greetings and Welcome! 

As an introduction and a way to get to know a little something about those who take my classes, I generally ask them to write me a letter and to tell me something about themselves. Since fair is fair, I thought I should write one back. So here goes............. 

I am originally from up state New York. I spent my early years (and avoided to grow up) living near Buffalo. I went to Cortland State College in Central New York and majored in Health Education. To me, Health Education can be the greatest subject matter to study and learn if it is taught well. I came to southern New Jersey for my first job right out of college to teach Health and coach wrestling. I was married, living at the beach and happy. Eventually I became interested in doing more than teaching at the high school level and went on to work on a Masters Degree at Ball State University. While there, I got a taste of teaching at the college level and decided to go on to Temple University for a Ph.D. in Health Education. I developed a strong focus in the area of adolescent development and Human Sexuality Education. Eventually I went on to work in a Public Health Program, a School Based Health Clinic and an Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program. I enjoyed these experiences but felt most comfortable in the classroom environment. With a little bit of luck and being in the right place at the right time, I was employed at Rowan in 1992. 

As an active learner, I find I do my best work when I can "learn by doing". Not being the first person to think this way, I have studied a great deal about active learning and discovered great joy and professional stimulation in Experiential Education. I believe that this is an educational philosophy that can cross over to many different types of subject matter can be a very effective way of teaching. Thus, any time I can, I try to interject experiential learning into my classes. Along with a colleague here at Rowan, we have recently developed an indoor ropes course which takes active learning to a higher level. 

I am proud of my long standing relationship with my wife of over 20 years and our two daughters. I am forever learning from them all. I enjoy sailing hobbie cats, taking comfortable motorcycle rides, fishing, camping trips, visiting family and cooking a good meal. In a nut shell, I believe that life (and our classroom) is what we make of it. 

Richard Fopeano, Ph.D.