In touch - Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Teaching from a distance,
these online professors find
ways to draw students closer
By tuning in, reaching out and sharing their own experiences,
these four teachers make a strong connection with distance learners
by Betty Lynne Leary
B arbara Plungis will do just about anything for her online
students, which recently meant finding an Internet-accessible
vacation spot in the wilds of North Dakota for her husband’s
duck hunting trip this fall.
“I don’t shoot anything, but I wear the fatigues and
orange vest,” Plungis describes. “And I still answer e-mails
and return assignments on time. I love this job!”
Her students return the affection.
“Barbara has a warm, personal touch that was totally
unexpected,” says Greg Lippert, a hospital administrator
from Mt. Shasta, Calif., who is working on his bachelor’s
degree. “One would expect distance learning to be a rather …
prescribed way to learn, but not with Barbara. She imparts
criticism in a non-demeaning manner and always infuses
some humor, which is so refreshing.”
Plungis, a health care administration professor, knows all
too well the schedule her students keep. She worked full time
as a nurse while earning both her bachelor’s in professional
arts (1984) and master’s degree in health care administration
“When someone tells me they’re
scared to earn this degree, I tell
them ‘I’ve been there and done it
and so can you.’”
– Barbara Plungis ’84,’97,
health administration professor
(1997) through Saint Joseph’s distance education program.
According to her students, many of whom are active-duty
military, Plungis has a special knack for connecting with
them immediately.
A true nurse at heart, Plungis loves helping people. She
strives to answer e-mail and grade assignments quickly. She’s
also willing to lend an understanding ear when life throws
obstacles in a student’s path.
Janet Douglass has taught distance
learners at Saint Joseph’s College
since 1985. “I love to hear their stories.
I can relate to what they’re going through,
because I’ve been there,” she says.
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