Bio Piece
11/30/2012
946
Bridges
 |
| (Photo Provided by Ms. Julie Langley) |
Ms. Julie Langley
Julie Langley, an assistant professor at Georgia Perimeter College, developed a passion for reading ever since she was a little girl.
She went to Georgia State University and majored in English Literature. She graduated with a masters degree and currently teaches at GPC Newton Campus.
Ms. Langley has three children; a son, 13, with type one diabetes, another son, 26, who is an actor in Las Vegas and a daughter, 21, who is a senior majoring in History at Tulane University in New Orleans. She is married to husband for almost 26 years and her mother is currently staying with her due to Alzheimer’s. She currently lives in Duluth Ga., but her students are the only reason why she travels 30 miles to Newton to teach.
The joy of teaching and her charismatic personality has encourage students to read books and become open minded when it comes to learning. Students are more inspired to read because she makes it easier to understand.
“If I can push a student to read outside of their prior knowledge, then that would be a success for me.” Ms. Langley said.
According to ABC’s article, “Perfect hobby? Reading Books is Fun, Cheap and Good for You” notes that the act of reading actually enhances your ability to absorb and your ability to process written information.
Reading also improves your cultural literacy, making it easier to share conversational pointers with others. The more you read, the more ideas you develop, and the more ways you can find to connect with people around you.
Books are also a great way to escape the realities of life and go into a different dimension. An alternative reality. It also tells life lessons, involve human interest, develop career ideas, and stay culturally in tuned with the world.
“I have known Ms. Langley for five years, and I’ve watched her passion for reading and literature grow stronger over the years. One way she connects students with authors is by taking authors out of that mysterious world that students fear and making students see them as human beings, warts and all.” Deborah Byrd, Instructor of English at GPC Newton Campus, said.
Ms. Byrd continues to add, “Ms. Langley’s expertise lies in helping students demystify the reading process and gain confidence in their own abilities.”
“Ms. Langley is passionate about engaging her students through course themes and current events. She challenges students to develop both functional and cultural literacy for a better understanding of the world around them.” Deborah Manson, Assistant professor of English at GPC Newton Campus, said.
Ms. Langley lets her passion unfold and opens up a book club called Great Reading in Newton (GRIN). In fall of 2010, GPC Reads was founded and she was appointed as a representative for the Newton Campus.
GPC Reads invites students, faculty, staff, and community readers to connect with authors. Their intent is to have everyone read the same book, discuss it in the classroom as well as through relevant events that underscore the themes in the books.
Rebecca Rakoczy, co-chair of GPC Reads, says, “The year culminates in a free visit from the author.”
The GPC committee- which is comprised of representatives from Alpharetta, Dunwoody, Clarkston, Decatur, and Newton- usually meets in the summer to choose a GPC Reads book and author and plan for the year’s programming and then meet mid-term to access the programming and attendance for the events.
“Langley also helped set up, monitor the iCollege book discussions for GPC Reads.” Ms. Rakoczy said.
Since its inception in the fall of 2010 with the book, “The Great Santini” and a visit from Southern author Pat Conroy, Ms. Rakoczy said professor Langley has be “instrumental” in helping develop GPC Reads programming on the Newton Campus.
Since the founding of GPC Reads in 2010, the organization has had five authors: Pat Conroy, and his wife, author Cassandra Davis; Terry Kay, Sheri Reynolds and William Kamkwamba (man in the provided photo.)
“We usually have two GPC Reads authors a year, but this year we have decided to keep one author for the entire academic year. Melissa Fay Greene is our 2012-13 GPC Reads author.” Rakoczy said.
GPC Reads on Newton Campus currently has 20 members. They also have a Facebook page in which they can have discussions about the material and the content that they have read.
“I try to have us meet twice a week. One meeting on Tuesday and another meeting on Wednesday for students who have class and will not be able to make it.” Ms. Langley said.
GPC Reads is currently reading “Praying for Sheetrock” by Melissa Fay Greene and “All the Bad Things” by J. Michael Dew.
GPC Reads has also created a book drive and have collected over 60 books. The organization plans on doing another book drive in the spring.
“Everyone has read something. The question is… are people willing to go beyond their primary mindset and go beyond what they know.” Ms. Langley said.
Ms. Langley is an inspiration to others. She has provided ways for students to understand and interact with other people as well as authors through reading. She has also given students more initiative to read. Creative students can develop more ideas for stories, if they want to become writers them selves, or be able to invent a product just by reading.
Ms. Langley’s passion has blossomed in GPC Reads as well. The committee finds her very influential. Her abilities to take an author out of their books and have them meet with students and connect with them helps students see them as human beings is very inspirational. Students, through reading, now have confidence in their abilities and strive for their goals in life.
I plan on submitting is piece to:
Georgia Magazine
Ann Orowski
Aorowski@georgiaemag.org
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1701 Tucker GA 30085
Phone: 770-270-6950
Fax: 800-544-4362
Submission Guidelines: Large feature pieces should be 1,200 words and smaller pieces should be 500-800 words.
The Chronicle
Sarah Hebel
Sarah.Hebel@chronicle.com
Mailing Address: 1255 Twenty-Third Street, N.W., Seventh Floor, Washington D.C. 20037
Phone: 202-466-100
Fax: 202-452-1033
