Tanya Blakeley, an instructor in Southern Oregon University's Department of Education, talks teaching, learning and living.

Blakeley has previously taught in two disciplines – Education and Criminology & Criminal Justice – but this year began a full-time position in the Education Department. Before beginning at SOU in 2009, she taught K-12 students, and she incorporates much of what she learned in those classrooms into her curriculum for future teachers. She models an inclusive classroom and believes in building a supportive learning community for SOU students.

Blakeley, who also has experience in education and program coordination with various non-profit organizations, received her bachelor's degree in education from Texas Christian University and her master's degree in education from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

She is interviewed in this seventh installment of "Faculty & Staff Spotlight," an SOU News podcast series in which a student multi-media host in SOU's Office of Communications shines a light on SOU faculty members who make an impact on students and their campus community. This year's podcast host is SOU freshman Hailey Demarest, of Wolf Creek, Oregon.