Profile - William Breen

Instructor Profile

Meet William Breen
Instructor of English

B.A. in English Literature, Bethel University; M.F.A. in Creative Writing, University of Arkansas

Question and Answer

  • Question

    What is your approach to teaching?

    Answer

    Students learn best when they are challenged and stimulated. They also need permission to take risks and make mistakes. Then, with good feedback from me and some hard work from them, they WILL become better readers and writers.

  • Question

    What makes your curriculum interesting or valuable to students?

    Answer

    Writing is a life skill, and becoming a better writer opens doors for you. Literature, like life, is endlessly strange, sad, inspiring, and hilarious. What's not to love?

  • Question

    How would you describe what happens during your most successful classes?

    Answer

    The best learning experiences in my classes occur when everyone in the room has come prepared and ready to participate. On those days, the time flies by and my students learn as much from each other as they do from me.

  • Question

    How do you help your students get the most out of your classes?

    Answer

    As much I can, I try to not only teach the concepts of good writing but also act as a personal writing tutor for my students, giving feedback directly on the page. I also think one of my strengths is reading my students, noticing what is clicking for them and what is unclear, and responding accordingly.

  • Question

    How do you think students would describe your classes?

    Answer

    Students often tell me they're surprised to find that a class they thought would be boring was actually pretty interesting and that I explain difficult concepts clearly.

Fun Facts

  • Fun Fact #1

    I have lyrics on a Grammy-nominated album.

  • Fun Fact #2

    My kids are way cooler than I was at their age, or than I ever will be.

  • Fun Fact #3

    Once at a stoplight, Batman pulled up next to me in the Batmobile. True story! When I looked over at him, he said, "Hello, citizen." Then the light turned green and he sped off.

Meet Our Students and Alumni

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  1. Meet Joshua Chase
    Joshua Chase
    Joshua Chase
    Arts & Communication
    Creative Writing
    Joshua Chase

    "The teachers are, hands down, the best part of Anoka-Ramsey. I’ve always read a lot, but while at Anoka-Ramsey, I had teachers who gave me entirely new perspectives on the writers and works I was already interested in. I always knew I liked certain authors, but couldn’t really put my finger on why. After my time at Anoka-Ramsey, I had a much better understanding.

    I spent a lot of time in the advising office. Having transferred many of my credits from a community college in Nevada, I wasn’t really sure how to proceed in a new state with different graduation requirements."

  2. Meet Jamie Haddox
    Jamie Haddox
    Jamie Haddox
    Arts & Communication
    AA Creative Writing Emphasis
    Jamie Haddox

    "Having taken creative writing classes at Anoka- Ramsey, I can honestly say that talent alone isn’t enough, no matter how talented. There’s so much I didn’t know. I’ve also learned that part of writing is having a network. You’ll never meet half the people you should without going to school."

  3. Meet Javier Abrica
    Javier Abrica
    Javier Abrica
    MnTC
    Associate in Arts
    Javier Abrica

    "When I walked through the doors here, I knew this was the place to get started. I’ve enjoyed it here ever since. Being Hispanic I appreciate the diversity at Anoka-Ramsey. I have met people from all over the world. It’s fun to have them share their cultures with me, and to see they have the same interests as I do."

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