Freddy Thomas currently serves as professor and chairman of the Department of Languages and Literature at Virginia State University (Petersburg, VA). In his role, he is responsible for leadership and management and he teaches courses in English language arts methods, first-year writing, composition theory and practice, and world literature.
Freddy has served as a consultant and workshop leader on various topics relating to writing assessment, writing across the curriculum and portfolio design and evaluation. He has co-authored position statements on writing assessment and has been published on topics of world literature and primary source research.
Among his recent appointments, Freddy has held the roles of member of Committee on Assessment for the Conference on College Composition and Communication; nomination chair for Committee for Conference on College Composition and Communication; member of CCCC Resolution Committee; program planner for NCTE’s 2001 Annual Convention in Baltimore, Maryland; NCTE 2002 Annual Convention in Atlanta, Georgia; and NCTE 2003 Annual Convention in San Francisco, California (November 2003); featured speaker for national conference, Practice, Theory, Reflection, and Action: Transforming Classrooms, Schools, and English Studies, Seattle, Washington: “Reflecting on What Students Learned in a Freshman Writing Curriculum,"; program reviewer for NCATE/NCTE; member of the College Section Steering Committee; member of NCTE's Resolution Committee; member of NCTE's Testing Committee; and co-chair of CCCC Resolution Committee.
What has motivated you to volunteer for NCTE service?
I attended my first NCTE conference in the mid-seventies, and the experience had a profound effect on my development as a teacher of the English language arts in the middle school and later as a professor of composition and an English educator at the college/university level. Since the eighties, I have been a regular attendee at both the NCTE fall convention and the CCCC annual conference. As I became more knowledgeable about NCTE and CCCC, I became interested in the work of the various constituent groups. When I was asked to serve on a committee, I gladly accepted the opportunity and challenge. By volunteering for NCTE/CCCC service, I am able to give back to the profession and to help with the professional development of new teachers. I enjoy my work with the Council, and I am always seeking new areas in which I may be of service.
What has kept you interested in volunteering your time over the years?
The challenging work of the various committees, the lifelong friendships I have developed, the sharing of ideas with colleagues in the profession, and the opportunity to be an active participant in the work of a great organization are some of the reasons I continue to volunteer my service to NCTE/CCCC. By serving as a volunteer, I have an opportunity to promote positive change for the organization and its membership.
What does your current role entail?
Currently, I am a member of the College Section Steering Committee, the 2004 CCCC Resolution Committee, the Ad Hoc Committee for Outstanding Writing Programs, and the NCTE Standing Committee on Testing. In addition, I serve as a NCTE/NCATE Program Reviewer.
What key roles have you played and what did you find most satisfying in carrying them out?
Chairing the CCCC Nominating Committee, serving on the CCCC Writing Assessment Committee, helping to draft the ACCCC’s Statement on Assessment, and serving on the 2002 NCTE Resolution Committee, co-chairing the CCCC Resolution, participating in the work of the NCTE Standing Committee on Testing, and serving as a member of the 2004 CCCC Resolution Committee have all been rewarding and enjoyable. In addition, I have enjoyed the many opportunities I have had to visit the NCTE headquarters and to help plan the CCCC conferences. Perhaps, my most rewarding and satisfying experience has been my work on the College Section Steering Committee during the last three years. My greatest satisfaction in serving on all of these very special committees has been the opportunity to work with so many talented professionals in the field and to engage in the exchange of ideas that I hope will lead to enhanced teaching and learning and provide future directions for the organization.
What satisfaction do you derive from volunteering?
The opportunity to give back to an organization that has given so much to me in terms of professional development has been quite satisfying. Also, it is satisfying to know that the work I am doing on the various committees may prove helpful to me and to other members of the profession, especially young teachers who are seeking new directions in their professional development. I believe members of an organization should be willing to serve in whatever role they may be of use to the organization. Volunteer service makes the organization stronger, and it helps to make visible the work of the organization to a wider audience. I am proud and thankful to have had the opportunity to serve NCTE/CCCC in so many ways.
Why would you recommend volunteering to another NCTE member?
I believe it is important for members in an organization to volunteer to help with the work of the organization. The more the members are actively involved in the organization the more they will learn and grow in the profession. As an English educator, I encourage my undergraduate and graduate students to join NCTE and other professional organizations as part of their professional development plan. Serving as a volunteer is one way to get a better understanding of how professional organizations work and to become involved in a leadership role in the organization. I encourage everyone to seek opportunities to give back to the organization by providing service. NCTE needs and welcomes your involvement.
How or has your affiliation with NCTE and (project/service) improved your professional development?
The yearly conferences, the professional workshops, the hundreds of panels on theory and practices, the exhibit of the latest resources by the publishing companies, and the numerous featured speakers have played a major role in my professional development. From my first NCTE convention to my most recent CCCC conference, I have learned many new ideas about teaching and learning. These new ideas have helped to make me a more knowledgeable and effective teacher, and I have been able to share these ideas and practices with my English education majors. I have been able to keep my students informed of the new developments and changes in the field because of my involvement at the national level through NCTE. Of the many professional organizations in which I hold membership, NCTE has been the most rewarding. I am so convinced of the outstanding professional development that is provided for NCTE that I always look forward, year after year, to the opportunity to attend yet another conference and to take advantage of the professional development it provides.
Do you have a favorite NCTE publication?
Actually, I have two favorite NCTE publications, the CCC Journal and the English Journal, that I read regularly and assign my students to read selected articles from them as part of their required readings. I find most of the articles in the English Journal very useful in my English methods class.
What is the book, article, or professional development experience you would recommend to other educators?
I would recommend that every teacher of English language arts attend the Annual Convention of the National Council of Teachers of English and take advantage of the professional development workshops that are presented each year. Also, I recommend that every teacher read Nancie Atwell’s In the Middle: New Understandings About Writing, Reading, and Learning.
How has being part of an educational community like NCTE improved your abilities as a teacher and as a leader?
Being a part of NCTE and its affiliates has helped me develop as a professional and to hone my leadership skills. I have had many opportunities to present at conferences, to take leadership roles on several committees, to serve as a featured speaker, and to be a workshop consultant. All of these experiences have helped me to become a better teacher and to prepare me for the leadership roles I continue to be assigned in my university.
