Hello Introduction to Psychology Class!!

Hey everyone,

Let’s see, what should I share about myself?

I’ve been teaching at Baruch for over four years now and believe it or not I’ve actually taught 7 different Psychology courses (Introduction to Psychology duh, Abnormal, Child Development, Personality, Life Experience, Evolution of Modern Psychology, and Interviewing Techniques). Of course I like Introduction to Psychology the best! During all that time I’ve also been working on my dissertation so I can complete my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University Brooklyn. I already have my Masters in Psychology, and once I finally finish my Ph.D. I would love to return to Baruch to teach here full-time.

Like Prof. Sitt, I also had an unforgettable experience abroad in London, while I was in college, although I went to college all the way up in Rochester, NY where it’s so cold you’re not allowed to go outside some days. Luckily we had an intricate system of tunnels. It even snowed at my graduation…. in May!!!

Did I mention I grew up 7 blocks from the Baruch campus?

Aside from teaching and attending graduate school, I’ve worked in so many different settings with so many different types of patients. I’ve worked with patients in hospitals, residences for the formally homeless, substance abuse clinics, a psychoanalytic institute (we’ll get to what that is), a high school, a college clinic, a homeless outreach center, and even a daycare center and a nursing home. I’ve worked with patients of all ages and backgrounds and I’ve seen almost every type of Psychological issue you will learn about. The strangest thing about my work experience is that before I went to graduate school I actually worked as a detective. It was my first job out of college and what a terrible detective I was! But look where I am today! I like Psychology much better.

In my free time I like to travel, hang out with friends, write songs (I sing and play guitar and I was once in a band that traveled around England), root for my football team (been a Jets fan since birth), go running, play tennis and ping pong (I’ll challenge anyone), and go to Blues clubs. When I do watch TV, I almost exclusively watch comedy shows; often standup comedy. While my dissertation takes up most of my time outside of class, I hope to finish soon so I can resume all of those activities I mentioned above.

Well, I guess that’s more than enough about me.

If I had to give you a piece of advice to take with you for life it would be to remember not to take yourself too seriously and that things are usually never as bad as they may seem.

Prof. Sapolsky