Metropolitan State University of Denver

Linda A Sanders

Personal Biography Statement

Since the 2003 Spring Semester, Linda Sanders has immensely enjoyed teaching diverse, talented students at MSU Denver. It has been Dr. Sanders' privilege to provide instruction for a variety of courses offered by the Department of Theatre including: Introduction to Theatre, Performance of Literature I: Solo, and Creative Dramatics for the Classroom Teacher. Also, Linda has been honored to teach for the Department of Teacher Education, where she has taught Human Diversity: Applications to Multicultural Education and most recently, Acting Like a Teacher. Since the formation of presence in teaching transcends disciplinary boundaries, the Acting Like a Teacher course is cross-listed in the Departments of Communication Arts and Sciences, Teacher Education, and Theatre.

Sanders' background encompasses more than a decade of developing interdisciplinary, culturally responsive curricula; engaged pedagogies; and experiential learning environments in the fields of theatre, education, and communication for postsecondary institutions. Since September 2012, Linda has served as Adjunct Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Denver - Colorado Women's College designing and teaching undergraduate courses for the common curriculum.

As Issue Editor of the 2013 summer edition of NEW DIRECTIONS FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING, entitled "Contemplative Studies in Higher Education," Dr. Sanders offers an approach to postsecondary teaching and learning that has not been fully explored. This issue discusses the integration of contemplative view and practice into college and university programs and initiatives, as well as throughout a wide variety of fields, including: research science, medicine, business, law, higher education leadership and student affairs, and the performing arts. Leading scholar-practitioners from colleges and universities throughout the United States have contributed to this cutting-edge volume.

Educational Biography

In March 2011, Sanders received a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, with an emphasis in Curriculum and Pedagogy in Higher Education, from the University of Denver. Sanders' dissertation entitled, CONTEMPLATIVE EDUCATION CENTERSTAGE: TRAINING THE MINDFUL PERFORMER, investigated the impact of contemplative education on the faculty, students, and curriculum of a graduate, interdisciplinary conservatory level performing arts program. Dr. Sanders also holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts, from Brandeis University, and M.Ed. in English, with an emphasis in Speech Communication, from Boston University.

Conference Participation

In 2011, Dr. Sanders presented her key dissertation findings in a paper presentation entitled, "Training the Mindful Performing Artist," at the annual meeting of the Association for Contemplative Mind in Higher Education in Amherst, Massachusetts; and intended and operational curriculum from her Acting Like a Teacher classes in a paper presentation entitled, "Acting Like a Teacher," at the annual meeting of the Association for Teaching & Curriculum in Denver, Colorado.

Research Areas/Interests

Sanders' current areas of research and teaching interest include: interdisciplinary curriculum development in higher education; mindful leadership scholarship and practice; co-curricular experiential and service learning in postsecondary education; creativity studies; applied improvisation and storytelling for enhancement of professional performance; contemplative education; and acting and multiple intelligences approaches to teacher training.

Professional Affiliations

Dr. Sanders is a member of the following organizations: American Association for Teaching & Curriculum; Association for Contemplative Mind in Higher Education; and Association for Interdisciplinary Studies.

Selected Publications

JURIED/PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES

*Sanders, L. A. (2009). Multicultural literature in
performance: Evoking shades of deeper meaning.
CURRICULUM & TEACHING DIALOGUE, 11(1&2), 193-205.
*Required scholarly reading in the graduate seminar, "Multicultural Materials and Instruction for K-12 Readers," Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership, University of Maryland College Park.

Sanders, L. A. (2008). Raising consciousness and
examining values through Playback Theatre.
JOURNAL OF COLLEGE AND CHARACTER, 9(3), 1-11.

Other

COURSES TAUGHT AT MSU Denver

EDU-3200, EDU-4300, SPE-3740, SPE-4300, THE-2210, THE-3200,
THE-4220, THE-4300

Courses Taught

EDU-4300,SPE-4300,THE-4300