Hiking near Mt. Rainier with Porsche

   ¡Hola! My name is James T. Abraham. Please call me J.T., James or Dr. Abraham. My interest in Spanish started in high school with a very energetic teacher. I continued to take Spanish at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville along with my other undergraduate courses. Originally declaring "undecided" as my major, it wasn't until after spending my junior year in Sevilla, España that I decided on a career path. The experience changed my life in many ways and set me on my present course. My undergrad studies culminated in majors in Spanish and International Studies and a minor in Business.

   With a strong desire to continue learning about Spain and its culture, I began the Master in Foreign Language and Literatures program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. While at UWM, I was able to study and travel in São Paulo, Brazil and Cuernavaca, México. My studies included courses over Latin American and Spanish Literature and Culture. I successfully presented at academic conferences and had my first article published. During my master's program, I also began teaching as a graduate teaching assistant.

   After growing tired of the long Wisconsin winters and seeking new opportunities for learning, I applied to the doctoral program at the best university in Arizona... The University of Arizona. During my Ph.D. studies, I concentrated on drama, particularly plays portraying the Americas, from the Siglo de Oro, roughly the period from 1500-1680, when Spain was at the height of its world power. Around 1993, I also discovered something called Mosaic, a computer program that allowed you to view pages from servers around the world. These two interests would blend and become my dissertation--a web edition of a Spanish play from 1665 called Los españoles en Chile. My studies led me back to Salamanca, España for two summers and additional conferences and publications.

   I arrived at GCC in the spring of 1997 and began teaching as adjunct faculty. Lucky for me, a position opened in the Foreign Language Department in 1998. The courses I teach include Spanish 101, 102, 201, 202, 115, 116 and 225. I teach in a variety of settings including the traditional classroom, online, hybrid and in the virtual world of Second Life. While at GCC, I have held a variety of committee positions including chair/co-chair of the President's Technology Assessment Taskforce, Budget Development Committee, College Technology Committee and the Capital Resource Committee. I continue to serve on the Technology Advisory Committee. My research interests, publication work and presentations focus on using technology in the classroom and developing curriculum materials. In the spring 0f 2008, I was awarded a sabbatical to develop an immersive, interactive Mexican village in the virtual world of Second Life. Please see my blog for more information about my work in virtual worlds.

   On the personal side, I enjoy an active lifestyle that includes fitness and outdoor sports. I am fortunate to have a smart and beautiful wife and two wonderful sons.

   If you want the details, here is my Curriculum Vitae.