Dr. Celeste Derksen

Welcome. If you are reading my bio, you are likely considering taking an English course with me. So here is some background and a sense of what I bring to the classroom.

My Masters and PhD degrees focused on Canadian drama, and women's uses of comedy in drama. I have also published and helped plan conferences on British Columbian drama. You can expect to see these interests in comedy, in the dramatic, in Canada and British Columbia, inflected in my course materials and delivery.

I typically teach first year composition and first and second year literature courses. To sum up my teaching philosophy, I believe that studying English enables students to better understand the power of language and to use language more powerfully. These are strengths that both potential English majors and students from others disciplines can develop while involved in my classes.

Outside of academics, my interests include family, volunteering, outdoor recreation and travel.