Jeannine Bettis
Educated at Oklahoma State University for two years and at the
University of Central Oklahoma for the remainder of her undergraduate work,
Jeannine Bettis received the Grady Watkins English award prior to her
graduation with a B.A. from UCO. She went on to do her master's work at UCO,
graduating in 1983 summa cum laude.
From 1985 to 1989, she taught
English as a second language at the English Language Center in Edmond,
Oklahoma. There, students from Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and
South America were instructed in all aspects of the language: grammar,
vocabulary, reading, listening, and pronunciation. Here, Ms. Bettis
benefited from contact with Javad Dadgostari, principal of the school and an
expert in ESL; she was able to practice her skills extensively at the
school.
Also in 1985, she became a lecturer for the University of
Central Oklahoma, a position which has allowed her to use her knowledge of
the university and of her subject to help her students. She has taught both
native English speakers and students from abroad in this capacity.
In 1989, she started her own business, Bettis Tutorials, which has
operated continuously since that time. In this capacity, Ms. Bettis provides
language instruction, cultural orientation, and heartfelt friendship to
people who have come to the U.S. from various countries. Students' ages have
ranged from 5 years old to over 70; their occupations are varied: students,
housewives, business managers, and cardiologist researchers have been among
clients. Ms. Bettis specializes in work with Japanese people, and has also
worked extensively with persons of Hispanic origin.
In 1993, Ms.
Bettis took on employment at Rose State College in Midwest City, Oklahoma,
and has lectured there part-time since then. The community college has kept
her in touch with the needs of the local areas that she serves, giving her
insight into this kind of institutional structure and mission.
Ms.
Bettis is a working teacher, who has extensive and broad-based experience in
private and public instruction of a varied student clientele, and in varied
school structures.
She is currently doing research toward a series
of essays on the teaching experience, and on Japanese-American communication
styles.
mailto:jbettis@ucok.edu
English Department
University of Central
Oklahoma