A Few Words of Introduction – Dr. Wesley Joseph Mills

I love teaching courses in English, the humanities, and the social sciences, and I look forward to our journey together as we explore life and nurture learning through our reading, writing, discussion, and reflection endeavors.  My academic background is as varied as my interests.  My bachelor’s degree is in political science with a combined integration of philosophy and sociology.  My master’s degree is in religious studies, particularly biblical literature and religious history.  My doctorate is in the field of social ethics, with a focus on moral education.  And throughout all three degree programs is the ever present vocation of writing, which I have been teaching in various settings for a couple of decades now.

 

Courses I typically teach at YCCC include: 

• American Government
• College Composition
• Ethics and Contemporary Society
• Historical and Literary Survey of the Bible
• Introduction to Sociology
• Social Problems
• World Religions

   

When I’m not in the classroom or in my office grading papers, organizing curriculum, talking with students about this issue or that, or just hanging around, I may well be walking the beach, taking in a Sea Dogs’ game, doing some landscaping, transferring junk from my basement or garage to the shed (and back again later), reading mystery novels, relaxing in my seasonal home in mid-coast Maine, hiking a mountain trail, or cruising in my boat in and about the coastal islands.

 In addition to my teaching vocations, I’ve worked at a Maine restaurant, retail store, and paper mill, served as an ordained minister, written a book of children’s sermons, been working on a collection of poetry, coached Little League for the better part of two decades, played a bit of basketball, softball, and ping pong here and there, and contributed to the establishment of a few social service endeavors—such as the Wayside Soup Kitchen and Root Cellar Ministries in Portland.

In addition to my various teaching stints at YCCC over the past nine years, I have also taught a variety of courses at the ABCOM Institute of Continuing Education, Andover Newton (Boston), the Saco Island College Center, Southern Maine Technical College, and the University of New England.  I also developed and implemented adult and alternative programming at the Saco Learning Center.

 I come from a long line of people in seafaring, fishing, boat building, quarrying, writing, preaching, and teaching vocations.  Needless to say, I think I’ve found my niche in the teaching domain.  Thanks to all the students who make that possible.

 I have three children.  My oldest has started his own wine business – www.thewineunderground.com – (check it out if you’re over age 21!)  My daughter is in college in Massachusetts , and my youngest son is in high school.

 Feel free to drop by my office and chat—whether about class or other similarly interesting quests in life.  I welcome the opportunity for conversation as part of the ongoing journey of life long learning.