2008 Woodie Awards
Professor creates tight-knit community at Webster
By: Veronica Szostalo
Issue date: 10/4/07 Section: Lifestyle
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Heath agreed.
"Janis is just so full of life that you are drawn to her. I seem to learn so much from her because she makes the classroom an exciting environment to learn in," Heath said. "She also has a wealth of knowledge and interesting stories from her own life experiences."
Valdes is currently an adjunct, which means that she is not always on campus. Among the courses that Valdes teaches are Introduction to Mass Communications, Media Literacy, Media Research, and Television: A Critical Study and Political Communications. Occasionally, she also teaches a class on health issues in the media.
As a teacher, Valdes stands out because she invests time in getting to know her students, and she because she gives her best effort to ensure that the students have a good time as well as learn
the material.
"Janis always makes each of her students feel special," Heath said. "She always remembers everyone's name and makes it a point to get to know as much as she can
about you."
Valdes is married to Orestes Valdes, who is an adviser for the School of Communications in addition to teaching Video Production I and Introduction to Media Production. The couple met when they were both cast in a film by the director of Webster's Film Series, Michael Steinberg. Orestes describes his wife as "passionate and energetic."
"It's a pleasure - as well as a challenge - to try to keep up with her," Valdes said.
The Valdes' have three dogs as children: Harry Houdini, a 12-year-old Great Pyrenees-Husky mix; Junebug, a 5-year-old black Labrador Retriever mix; and Coco, a 5-year-old Newfoundland. All three were adopted.
One thing that she would like students to know is that they can always come to her for anything.
"Don't be afraid to ask for help or ask questions," Valdes says. She is very friendly and helpful, and with her kind smile, instantly puts students at ease.
"I love having her as a teacher and as a friend," Heath said. "She is someone I could turn to for any problem regarding school or my personal life. She is such an inspirational lady who as impacted so many of us here at Webster."
In her spare time, Valdes is part of a worldwide online community of knitters. Valdes admits that she knits obsessively.
"I just want to spread the word of 'knit' to all. It is therapeutic, creative, and intellectually stimulating. I know that sounds crazy, but there is so much to learn. You can spend a lifetime learning to knit."
"Janis is just so full of life that you are drawn to her. I seem to learn so much from her because she makes the classroom an exciting environment to learn in," Heath said. "She also has a wealth of knowledge and interesting stories from her own life experiences."
Valdes is currently an adjunct, which means that she is not always on campus. Among the courses that Valdes teaches are Introduction to Mass Communications, Media Literacy, Media Research, and Television: A Critical Study and Political Communications. Occasionally, she also teaches a class on health issues in the media.
As a teacher, Valdes stands out because she invests time in getting to know her students, and she because she gives her best effort to ensure that the students have a good time as well as learn
the material.
"Janis always makes each of her students feel special," Heath said. "She always remembers everyone's name and makes it a point to get to know as much as she can
about you."
Valdes is married to Orestes Valdes, who is an adviser for the School of Communications in addition to teaching Video Production I and Introduction to Media Production. The couple met when they were both cast in a film by the director of Webster's Film Series, Michael Steinberg. Orestes describes his wife as "passionate and energetic."
"It's a pleasure - as well as a challenge - to try to keep up with her," Valdes said.
The Valdes' have three dogs as children: Harry Houdini, a 12-year-old Great Pyrenees-Husky mix; Junebug, a 5-year-old black Labrador Retriever mix; and Coco, a 5-year-old Newfoundland. All three were adopted.
One thing that she would like students to know is that they can always come to her for anything.
"Don't be afraid to ask for help or ask questions," Valdes says. She is very friendly and helpful, and with her kind smile, instantly puts students at ease.
"I love having her as a teacher and as a friend," Heath said. "She is someone I could turn to for any problem regarding school or my personal life. She is such an inspirational lady who as impacted so many of us here at Webster."
In her spare time, Valdes is part of a worldwide online community of knitters. Valdes admits that she knits obsessively.
"I just want to spread the word of 'knit' to all. It is therapeutic, creative, and intellectually stimulating. I know that sounds crazy, but there is so much to learn. You can spend a lifetime learning to knit."
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