NSU Horizons Fall 2011

Beck, her co-author, said Robles de Melendez is extremely focused on helping children and making sure those who work with young children are caring and knowledgeable. “She is determined, driven, and persistent,” Beck said. “But, she is also mindful of people’s feelings and opinions.” Jennifer Llerandi, a former student of Robles de Melendez, was inspired to follow her mentor’s career path after graduating in 2005 with a master’s degree in early childhood education. Llerandi is now an adjunct faculty member at NSU’s Fischler School and reports to Robles de Melendez. “She always had respect for [her students] when it came to email, a phone call, or explaining course materials. I try to follow her example with my students,” Llerandi said. Llerandi acknowledged that she continues to learn from Robles de Melendez, whether it is a question about a syllabus, how to grade a project, or advice on a topic she is teaching. “She has always been there for me, just a phone call away,” Llerandi said. “It is the extra steps that I appreciate the most.” For Robles de Melendez, the role of teacher is never ending. “You have to guide the students, not form them,” she said. “You give them ideas, planting the seed to learn, knowing that you have given them what they need to be their best.” Robles de Melendez attributes her dedication to her students, the years she has spent in the classroom, and the books she has written to her mother, an elementary and middle-school teacher who died when she was in the prime of her life. Robles de Melendez recalls visiting her mother’s classroom and falling in love with teaching. She sees her career as a way of honoring her mother’s memory while empowering students. “The teaching profession can help make changes happen,” she said. “Teachers can create an environment where the students feel secure and know someone cares. If the students find something interesting and appealing, it will make a difference.” n Curtain up on New Musical Theatre Major Performance education at NSU takes a leap forward with the new Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre degree, offered by the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences. Housed within the college’s Division of Performing and Visual Arts, the degree is designed to develop a student’s fundamental knowledge of musical theatre, with focused coursework in theatre, dance, and music. The division also offers bachelor’s degrees and minors in art, dance, music, theatre, and arts administration. “Students will have the opportunity to study and practice many of the performing arts in diverse genres and settings,” said Bill Adams, D.M.A., associate professor and coordinator of performing arts. “The goal is to help the student develop as a well-rounded performer.” Students also can build professional theatre credits through internships with The Promethean Theatre, NSU’s Carbonell Award-winning professional theatre company-in-residence. The Carbonells honor South Florida theatre and are the equiva- lent of the Helen Hayes Awards in Washington, D.C. Classes in which students receive special instruction and feedback from guest artists and theatre professionals also will be included. Guest artists have included Rita Moreno (Tony and Academy Award winner), David Burnham (Helen Hayes Award winner), Christine Andreas (Tony Award nominee), and Nilo Cruz (Pulitzer Prize winner). For more information, contact Bill Adams at wadams@nova.edu or (954) 262-8025. 27 horizons