The Performance of a Lifetime: Glenn Koppel’s Dazzling Teaching Approach

Performances aren’t reserved for grand stages alone; sometimes, the classroom is the perfect venue for a showing. This philosophy embodies Glenn Koppel, a Professor Emeritus at Western State College of Law, whose passion for acting transforms everyday teaching moments into captivating experiences. Recently honored as the Most Engaging Faculty member at Western State College of Law, Koppel is now embracing a well-deserved retirement and reflecting on a 40-year career that brought the art of performance to his students in the classroom.

“I always wanted to teach. I’m also an actor, and I think the two go together well,” said Koppel. “As an actor, you are actively engaging an audience. The Most Engaging Faculty award I received reflects that.”

The Art of Captivation: Teaching as Performance

For Koppel, the parallels between acting, practicing law, and teaching are more similar than one would initially think. Whether captivating a judge, a jury, or a classroom full of students, the key to success lies in grabbing the attention of your audience at all times. Just as an actor commands the stage, a lawyer must capture the consciousness of the courtroom, and a professor must inspire participation among students. Each venue is demanding in its own way. The key, as Koppel’s recent award would reflect, is to remain engaging. This often means returning to the tried-and-true tools of teaching: a simple whiteboard and a marker.

“I use PowerPoint, but I also like to use the whiteboard,” says Koppel. “I think one of the ways I can engage students is by being very active, and as I’m talking I always like to illustrate how that shows up visually on the board for visual learners.”

A Leading Role: Over Forty Years as a Western State Professor

Koppel has had a long and distinguished career as a law professor, the entire 40 years of which he devoted to Western State College of Law. In 2004, he stepped in to teach Amy Coney Barrett’s Civil Procedure and Evidence classes at Notre Dame during her maternity leave — years before she would eventually become an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. In 2007, Koppel was elected as a member of the American Law Institute.

“I started teaching [at Western] in 1982 and I’ve seen the school grow and develop,” he states. “We’ve gone through a lot of challenging experiences, but [we’ve] come out the other end stronger. It’s a very supportive place to be.”

This support extends to students through several university initiatives designed to help them succeed beyond graduation — something Koppel is proud to be a part of. “We have placement services so that students who want to intern, for example, during the summer, can do that and gain a practical experience, which is very, very important for students to transition from being a student to being a practicing attorney.”

Beyond the Whiteboard: Adventures with Bruce and a New Chapter

Outside the classroom, Koppel enjoys spending his free time with his Australian Cattle Dog mix, an energetic rescue named Bruce. Koppel loves training Bruce, channeling the same patience and dedication he brings to his teaching.

In regards to his newfound retirement, Koppel admits it’s a new feeling and one that does come with a transition phase. “My identity as a professor, you know, was pretty strong– teaching for 42 years– so I’m transitioning, and I have an acting gig coming up in December at the Chance Theater in Anaheim Hills.”

An Enduring Legacy: The Impact of Engagement

Captivating an audience is at the cornerstone of everything Koppel takes on – especially teaching. As he puts it, he’d never want to see a student doze off during a lecture for not being fun enough, so he brings his unique skill set to ensure that never happens – a trait his students have always admired to the very end.

“On my last day of class, they got up and applauded, which was really heartwarming, you know, even though it’s only civil procedure,” he laughs.

Join us in celebrating Glenn Koppel’s illustrious career and recent winner of the Most Engaging Faculty member at Western State College of Law.

Congratulations and we wish you a happy retirement, Glenn! The next stage is all yours!