About
Erin White McDermott teaches beginning and intermediate levels of French. Born and raised in Tulsa, she had a longing from a young age to see Europe. She spent her undergraduate junior year at the Université des Sciences Humaines in Strasbourg, France. Her B.S. in modern languages with a minor in history is from Georgetown University. She completed her M.A. through Middlebury College in Paris, writing a thesis on the medieval artwork of the church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
McDermott uses research-backed best practices in the classroom, including comprehensible input through authentic resources in various media, leveled readers, a reduction of the affective filter, an emphasis on communicative tasks and activities, and the teaching of grammar in context. She strives to foster an inclusive classroom, where learners are comfortable fumbling through the peculiarities of the French language. Outside the classroom, she enjoys walks (often at lunch on campus), her pets, fiber arts, and watching the latest Star Wars or Marvel universe installments with her children.
Honors and Awards
- 2024 Recipient, The University of Tulsa Teaching Innovation Grant
Education
- M.A., Languages, Middlebury College
- Dissertation: “Saint-Germain-des-Prés: l’art et la spiritualité médiévale”
- B.S., Modern Languages, Georgetown University
Research interests and areas of expertise
- Language acquisition
- Best practices for world languages teaching