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The Dearborn Icebreaker is a new Reporter feature designed to help us get to know our 51��Ƶ-Dearborn colleagues.

Name: Danielle L. DeFauw
Position: Assistant Professor of Reading & Language Arts, SOE
Years at 51��Ƶ-Dearborn: 2

What does a typical workday look like for you?
As long as my 10 month-old daughter, Dayana, has slept through the night, every day begins at 4 a.m.; otherwise it begins at 5 a.m. I prefer to write in the morning, although email and grading do steal that time more often than I’d like. At least every Tuesday & Thursday, I drive my 1 ½ hour commute from Lapeer to campus, listening to a children’s literature audio book. Once on campus, I am in my office preparing for my courses, grading papers, attending meetings, and checking items off my to-do list. I teach Tuesday and Thursday evenings on campus and on Monday evenings online from home.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love writing and teaching. I learn so much from my students. I enjoy their perspectives and diversity.

What was your first job?
Kentucky Fried Chicken

What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I love to write short stories and middle-grade novels for children even though I haven’t been published in this genre.

What do you do to relax?
My favorite place is our cabin on Houghton Lake. I also love writing, reading, going for walks, scrapbooking, and watching movies.

What’s your definition of a life well lived?
A life well lived is one centered on faith and a positive attitude, which support you in loving and helping others.

What’s the proudest moment of your life?
Although I am very proud of my academic accomplishments, I am most proud of my family. My husband is such an exceptional person, and our daughters bring us such joy. Not too long ago, all of us were playing; Dave and I had them both belly laughing. I thought in that moment, “Being their parents is the best thing we’ve ever done.”

If we were to create a 51��Ƶ-Dearborn playlist, what song would you want to include?
The Climb sung by Miley Cyrus.  I’m not a Miley Cyrus fan, but I love the lyrics of that song. Life is full of challenges and surpassing them isn’t nearly as important as how we tackle them.

If someone handed you a $100 bill, what would you do with it?
I would first think of the children’s literature books I want to buy, but then I would end up spoiling my family instead. My husband has rightfully requested that I stop buying children’s literature. He jokes that I’ve made the house a fire hazard with all my books that line the walls of our basement. We’d probably use the money to go out to dinner, buy frozen Cokes, stop by the movie theater to buy movie popcorn, and watch a DVD at home.

What advice would you give to this year’s graduating class?
All the knowledge you have isn’t nearly as important as how well you treat others. Use your knowledge, skills, and words to build others up.