Open SUNY Online Teaching Ambassador 2017 – Genesee: Jennifer Sisbarro

Jennifer Sisbarro teaches Music at Genesee Community College in Batavia, NY. She began her career in higher education (and online teaching) in 2007 at Finger Lakes Community College, and Hobart and William Smith Colleges.

Jennifer received her M.M. in Vocal Performance from Ithaca College and B.A. in Vocal Performance, Summa cum Laude, from SUNY Geneseo.  She has toured internationally with the Geneseo Chamber Singers, and performed with the Cayuga Vocal Ensemble. As a choral member she has been featured as a soloist in many choral pieces as well as major works such as Mozart’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, and Schubert’s Mass in G.  Jennifer has been performing in musical theatre productions since the age of 10.  Favorite roles include the Bird Woman (Mary Poppins), Polly (Crazy For You), Tzietel (Fiddler on the Roof), Stepmother (Cinderella), and Maria (The Sound of Music).

I am passionate about teaching online, and I believe that online learning is a wonderful alternative for non-traditional students who have careers, families, health issues, and other life commitments. I feel fortunate to be offering classes for students who otherwise may not be able to attend college. I consistently update and revise my online courses and am always learning new and improved ways to engage, communicate with, and retain online students. I strongly believes that teaching online is an ever-evolving learning process and there is always room for improvement in course design and delivery.

A music instructor, I utilize technology and active learning in both my online and face-to- face classes. In addition to traditional music courses, I teach exciting popular music courses such as Hip Hop Culture, Music at the Movies and the History of Rock and Roll. I share my ideas for fostering a positive experience for online students with my colleagues as a member of GCC’s Online Faculty Advisory committee. I love getting to know my online students and find that students in the online classroom typically share more than they would in a face to face setting, making for rich discussions. My goal is to create innovative assignments that make the students think, reflect, and connect the material to their everyday lives.