Metropolitan State University of Denver

Dr Rebecca L Paskind

Personal Biography Statement

I am a Gerontologist. I received my MSW from New Mexico Highlands University. I completed an emphasis in mental health and child welfare, so I didn't always plan to work with older adults. I have had a fun and fascinating career in which I have done a full range of child welfare and child placement work, mental health, administration and program development.

I got involved with aging when I developed a volunteer program which placed volunteers with older adults and youth. In particular the older adults needed companionship, a little help around the house and someone to take them out to coffee. I fell in love with this population and have worked in aging settings ever since. Immediately before coming to Metro in 2000 I was the supervisor of Adult Services for the Family Center at Catholic Charities.

Here at Metro, in addition to Research I teach Social Welfare Policy, Quantitative Thinking, Aging and a seminar or two. I am also the BSW Program Director and in that role I have a number of administrative tasks.

I finished my PhD in 2009 and as a result I am very familiar with the stresses related to going to school, working and family.

Teaching Philosophy

As social workers we are taught that we must “start where the client is” in our work with them. This may sound like a simple statement but it can be incredibly difficult to do. It means we must set aside our own expectations of what is 'best' for clients and listen to where they are, how they feel about the issues confronting them, and help them plan to resolve them. This spirit of self-determination is central to social work practice.

I approach teaching with a similar tendency to let students tell me what they need, understand or do not understand. I assume all students want to learn the material and do well in class and I work hard to offer the material, skills and feedback for empowering them to do this. However, I also assume that as adult learners want to meet me at least half-way on this voyage. Learning is a partnership, one I take seriously and one I find tremendously rewarding.

Courses Taught

SWK-1020,SWK-2010,SWK-3030,SWK-3780,SWK-3790,SWK-390X,SWK-4780,SWK-490E
,SWK-498K

Office Hours

Monday - [11:00 to 01:00]
Wednesday - [11:00 to 01:00]
Thursday - [09:00 to 02:00]