Profile - William Breen

Instructor Profile

Meet William Breen
Instructor of English

B.A. in English Literature, Bethel University; M.F.A. in Creative Writing, University of Arkansas

Question and Answer

  • Question

    What is your approach to teaching?

    Answer

    Students learn best when they are challenged and stimulated. They also need permission to take risks and make mistakes. Then, with good feedback from me and some hard work from them, they WILL become better readers and writers.

  • Question

    What makes your curriculum interesting or valuable to students?

    Answer

    Writing is a life skill, and becoming a better writer opens doors for you. Literature, like life, is endlessly strange, sad, inspiring, and hilarious. What's not to love?

  • Question

    How would you describe what happens during your most successful classes?

    Answer

    The best learning experiences in my classes occur when everyone in the room has come prepared and ready to participate. On those days, the time flies by and my students learn as much from each other as they do from me.

  • Question

    How do you help your students get the most out of your classes?

    Answer

    As much I can, I try to not only teach the concepts of good writing but also act as a personal writing tutor for my students, giving feedback directly on the page. I also think one of my strengths is reading my students, noticing what is clicking for them and what is unclear, and responding accordingly.

  • Question

    How do you think students would describe your classes?

    Answer

    Students often tell me they're surprised to find that a class they thought would be boring was actually pretty interesting and that I explain difficult concepts clearly.

Fun Facts

  • Fun Fact #1

    I have lyrics on a Grammy-nominated album.

  • Fun Fact #2

    My kids are way cooler than I was at their age, or than I ever will be.

  • Fun Fact #3

    Once at a stoplight, Batman pulled up next to me in the Batmobile. True story! When I looked over at him, he said, "Hello, citizen." Then the light turned green and he sped off.

Meet Our Students and Alumni

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    Arts & Communication
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    "The best aspect of Anoka-Ramsey Community College is the people. They simply make the learning experience enjoyable."

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    Dylan Herbst
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    Nursing AS
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    "I was quite nervous during the transition from high-school to college. The faculty here worked with me and the process was very smooth. I was sitting in class working toward my future aspirations in no time."

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