Professor Randoms

By Katelyn Sloane
Collegian Reporter
September 27, 2006

Full name and title: Brother Art Bangs, associate professor of education.
Birthday: Jan. 5
Hometown: Bangs was born in Upper Darby.

Collegian Katelyn Sloane Brother Art Bangs is an associate professor of education.
His professional expertise are developmental issues and cognitive approaches to learning. - Katelyn Sloane

What has been the most challenging/exciting thing for you as you develop your career? “The most challenging and exciting part of my career are one in the same, and it is simply the opportunity to work with younger people,” he said. “I used to be a high school teacher, and am now teaching college students and I love being able to work with these young adults, especially training future teachers.”

What techniques do you use in class to keep students alert? “I would say I practice what I preach. I teach my education students how to engage their future students, and so I try to do the same,” Bangs said. “I pose questions and encourage responses, encourage questions and require the students to teach a small presentation every semester.”

If you could teach students one thing, what would it be? Bangs would teach students fidelity in all future responsibilities. “I would teach it both inside and outside of school in order to guarantee a successful future,” he said.

What made you choose your field? “I loved the Brothers’ religious sense, as well as their emphasis on academics,” he said. Bangs also felt that education was a good fit, and he was thrilled with doing something that was both exciting and possible.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Bangs enjoys reading, watching movies, exploring parts of Philadelphia and visiting relatives. “I also enjoy playing music, mainly piano and organ. I used to also play the sax and clarinet,” Bangs said.

Do you have a favorite television show? Bangs really enjoys watching quiz shows, especially Jeopardy. “I assume it’s the educator in me that really likes them so much,” he said.

If you could have any super power, what would it be? “The power of understanding, so that I could recognize the needs and wants of myself and others,” Bangs said.

sloank1@lasalle.edu