Don Koke

I believe that my most important jobs in the classroom are to stimulate interest in the subject matter and guide the students in their quest to understanding it. I much prefer talking with a class about the material than talking to a class about it. I am a teacher because I really enjoy helping others learn to appreciate and master what I love so much, whether it's writing an essay, playing the guitar, or attending a concert, play, or exhibit.

My informal approach to the classroom, however, should not mislead one to think I don't value the time spent there. I like to have fun. I like to talk with my students and interact with them as much as I can. And that's the kicker: as much as I can means that the students need to attend every class. When the student signs into a class, it's the same as signing a contract. We both have responsibilities and obligations.

My interest in the humanities began very early in grade school taking piano lessons and singing in choir. My grandfather taught me how to draw, and I began writing poetry and short stories on my own for fun. Somehow in between all that I managed to play on the school football and basketball teams. When I got to high school, I was already singing in a jazz combo and started playing guitar in a rock n roll band. I worked my way through college and two degrees in five years singing folk music in St. Louis' club district 5 nights a week.

I've continued to practice the arts ever since, and even though teaching is my profession, the arts are my passion. I'm never at a loss for something to do. There aren't enough waking hours to get it all done, either. Among my activities are some of these favorites:

singing and playing traditional American and Celtic tunes, bluegrass, old-time country, and the blues on guitar and banjo; touring and performing that music for audiences wherever I can find them; running the Iron Horse Concert Hall and booking other touring folk musicians; jamming with them after their concerts; camping and hiking in Colorado and New Mexico; reading mysteries, especially those set in the Southwest; writing plays and short stories; studying Celtic and Native American folklore; attending folk festivals.