Faculty Spotlight: Professor Dorie Haws
- Student Ambassadors
- 24 hours ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 5 hours ago
Mikaela Campbell
McKay Student Ambassador
Early Childhood Education
Dorie Haws is a professor here at BYU. Currently, she teaches the introductory course for those interested in Early Childhood Education and the first practicum for those majoring in Early Childhood Education. Professor Haws has had years of teaching experience, so I asked her some questions about how teaching has shaped her and what she has learned.
Why did you pursue education?
I've wanted to be a teacher since 8th grade because I had some amazing teachers
who changed my life in 3rd grade, 5th grade, and Junior high. I found an early sense of accomplishment when I “taught school” to my younger brothers. Mister Rogers taught me how to be curious and wonder about everything around me, so I wanted to provide that same environment for children.
What courses do you teach?
During the past 29 years at BYU, I’ve taught many different ECE and SFL courses. Currently, I teach 3 sections of ECE 299R, the first practicum. This course brings teachers into the Child and Family Studies Laboratory 2 days a week for four hours. I lead teaching for the first 5 weeks while the practicum students are facilitating centers, and then the student teacher starts leading. I also teach the ECE 200 Foundations of ECE course, which is an introductory course for people who are interested in pursuing early childhood education as a major.
What do you love about Early Childhood Education?
My favorite part of ECE is the developmental emphasis. I’ve always been curious about why children do what they do, and most of those answers have something to do with development. Many times, children are assumed to be misbehaving when, in actuality, they are learning how to behave during their first 8 years of life. Another assumption is mistaken behavior – often their behavior is developmental, and they have not reached that milestone yet, or it is not online in their brain yet. ECE affords us the opportunity to look at the development of children and figure out what’s happening within all the domains of that whole child. I love their excitement for learning new things and making new friends as well.
What teaching experiences have shaped you?
A few of my former teachers sparked my teaching interest. Yet, much of my shaping happened while interacting with children. Gus Clark, one of my university professors, taught that some children might push my buttons, and I didn’t believe him. However, when I had those children during my early years of teaching, I remember his words: take a photo of that child and put it in your pencil desk so that whenever you open the drawer, you see that child and are reminded of the goodness they bring to life. 37 years later, those two children’s photos are still on my desk as a reminder that all children have worth and bring joy to my life, even when they push my buttons.
Another experience was the story about a mother screaming at her child to stop at the corner, and she was angry when the child kept on going. Upon further disciplining, the child meekly asked her mother what a corner was. This shaped my ability to ask myself if children know what the expectations are and if there’s something missing in their understanding as I coach and teach each child.
What are some highlights of teaching?
When children open the door and say, “I’m here, everyone.”
That confidence is something I
want all children to have sooner rather than later in their lives. When you see the light go on as they are struggling with a concept, that ear-to-ear smile is something I will always remember!
What challenges or obstacles have you experienced with teaching?
Not often, but sometimes there are families who might be labeled as “not caring about what happens at school". I try to look deeper to see if I can help rather than assume. Sometimes it’s rooted in financial, relationship, or employment reasons. Another challenge that sometimes presents itself is working on a team. I always remind myself that I don’t need to “go and get a Diet Coke with everyone," but I can figure out how to work with everyone. That translates in my brain to I can do hard things for the time that I’m working with them.
How do you align your teaching with the aims of BYU?
I have enjoyed my time teaching at BYU, and the aims are what brought me here. Jesus is the master teacher, and many times I’ll ask myself what He would do in this specific situation.
How has teaching increased your Christ-like love?
There are students who are easy to love and others who take time and effort. Christ taught us to never give up on them. Sometimes I like to say, I don’t love them yet – that reminds me that they are lovable and I need to keep working and looking for those lovable traits.
And finally, any advice for students pursuing education?
Most people who are in education are not in it for the money. Educators have a special kind of gift to give of themselves, so figure out why you are pursuing this degree, and if you do find a path in education, remember this Andy Reid quote: “It’s my responsibility to find the way people learn best and give them an opportunity to succeed.”
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