MCC Daily Tribune
TCC: Kudos for Teaching Excellence Winners!
The Fall 2017 Kudos for Teaching Excellence winners are:
Nominated by students:
James Mangin, Transitional Studies (Math)
Mr. Mangin is one of the kindness, sweetest, loveable teachers who always tend to check on his students so that they understand what they are doing. A bit of a goofball but easy to like and learn from. He helped me a lot with my anxiety in a math class. He makes you want to come to class every day. He's really helpful on thing you can't understand. I never felt happier to come to math class before, but now I do. He also makes you understand the concept of each unit which I find really amazing.
Ralph Roach, Mathematics
Professor Roach has been an amazing teacher to me and to the whole class. He is very helpful when explaining problems to the whole class and is happy to explain to individuals when he/she doesn't understand the problems. He doesn't hesitate to stay after class and help those who need it. Overall, he has encouraged me in math class and has inspired me to do well in other classes. Thank you Professor Roach!!
Mark Ricci, Visual and Performing Arts
Mark is an incredible professor and mentor. He is beyond willing to offer his guidance and expertise to students who are actively pursuing experience in the field, as well as pushes and engages the students who might be trying hard but not getting the grade. His teaching methods are interactive and genuine, cultivating the minds of his students to take the academia taught in class OUT of the classroom. As I began to take myself and my startup business more professionally, Mark was there to provide insightful consulting and entrepreneurial guidance. He continues to give me result-proven strategies and tactics to use as my startup begins to compete in the global workforce.
Betty Mandley, EDU/HUM
Professor Mandly has a very upbeat and positive personality. She makes all of her classes entertaining and enjoyable. I have personally been in 4 of her classes. I have learned so much from every class. She is very knowledgeable in the field of ACD. Her knowledge and her ability to transfer her knowledge to the student is top notch. Professor Mandly has a genuine interest in her students' success and she takes the time to help her students. MCC is so lucky to have her!!
Jeff Dunker, ICT
I have learned a tremendous amount from Prof. Dunker in the one year I have been in the Cybersecurity program. He is always available. He gives a lot of work, expects a lot, but I, in return, have increased my knowledge 1000 fold.
Mike Martella, Criminal Justice
Professor Martella exemplifies both what a program director and college professor should be. He is not only Director of the Paralegal Studies program, he is much more than that. He is an engaging instructor who keeps his students interested in the topics he teaches. He is constantly updating the curriculum to keep up with ever-changing laws impacting the Paralegal classes. He has recently been going through the tedious American Bar Association re-accreditation process for the MCC Paralegal Studies program, all the while keeping up his outstanding student-oriented leadership style. These are the things that make him remarkable.
Suzanne Long, Biology
I would like to nominate Professor Suzanne Long for the "Kudos for Teaching Excellence" award. I had Professor Long for Microbiology during the summer of 2017, a class that I was very apprehensive about taking, as microscope work is not one of my strengths.
Professor Long made the subject so interesting- her teaching style was enthusiastic and humorous - very important for the early start times and long class and lab hours required in the condensed summer program. Due to her work in the field and her ongoing personal education, Professor Long was extremely knowledgeable about her subject matter, up-to-date on current issues, and always happy to answer any student questions. She thought critically about what was being asked, never dismissing a question as "not relevant," and I can only think of a couple of times that she did not have an answer for the student on the spot.
Professor Long's enthusiasm for microbiology was contagious and inspired me to work hard in her class and to learn more about microbiology (through personal reading) after the course was over. I never saw that coming when I enrolled in the course- at the time I was just hoping to get through it and do well enough to move on toward the nursing program! The material and the way Professor Long presented it was applicable to my everyday life, and how I think about and "handle" microorganisms in our home and life, and it has already helped me to be more successful in my nursing studies.
Finally, Professor Long was very relatable "as a person not just a professor" as she shared her work and life through snippets during lecture and lab. Thanks to her, my whole family (including a 6 and an 8 year old) LOVE listening to podcasts- learning about new subjects, and just being entertained.
Thank you Professor Long! I wish you all the best!
Nominated by faculty and staff:
Judy Wilson, Nursing
Judy has done a tremendous job with a complete overhaul of the NUR 111 course outline and subject matter. She has incorporated many new active learning strategies to engage students. One of her most enjoyed classes is a final week 'Survivor' type competition that reviews many of the skills learned earlier in the semester and prepares students to move forward in the program. Students like the review of important skills and the competition-type format.
Anne Vogtle, Nursing
Professor Vogtle recognized that the men in the Nursing program had difficulty succeeding in NUR 212, Maternal and Neonatal Nursing. Despite strong academic achievement in other nursing courses, this particular course which focuses on Prenatal Care, Labor, Delivery and immediate care of the newborn seemed to pose an obstacle for a greater proportion of the male students.
Collaborating with former male students who had failed NUR 212, and then passed on a subsequent try, Professor Vogtle formed a "Guys Group". She organized the first few meetings, provided food, and encouraged testimonials, encouragement and success tips...guy to guy.
In its inaugural outing it was 100% successful! Not only did the men report feeling supported and encouraged, they all passed this half semester course!
Professor Vogtle should be congratulated for her recognition of a problem, coupled with a creative solution that led to such a positive outcome!
Joe Scanlon, Political Science
What doesn't Dr. Scanlon do? When it comes to his students and approach to teaching, Dr. Scanlon is a dedicated and passionate professional. His love for teaching political science benefits his students in numerous ways. He runs a non-partisan classroom, where students from differing political ideologies feel engaged and supported. He, as co-Coordinator to the Democracy Commitment, trains students and their professors in the practice of Deliberate Dialogues, allowing people to discuss controversial and contentious issues with respect and civility. He serves as the faculty advisor to the student group, the Politicos. In his various roles on campus, he has consistently planned speakers and activities that intersect his discipline, and engage faculty and students, alike. His presence makes us all better informed political actors in a sometimes volatile political environment. Students and colleagues of Dr. Scanlon are better informed to participate in our vibrant democracy. He should be celebrated for all he does to encourage political literacy at our institution and in our society.
Demario Brantley, Sociology
I have had a number of positive interactions with Demario that make it clear that he is doing good work, both in the classroom and in the community. I also have a student in one of my courses who is taking an introductory Sociology course with Demario. I asked her what she thought of Demario and her experiences in the classroom. Here is what she wrote:
- He cares about his students. When he talks to us you can tell that he wants only the best for us.
- He's the most honest person you'll ever meet. He will tell you how it is, even if you don't want to hear it. He wants us to keep improving.
- He could be a life coach. Whenever I leave his class I'm in a good mood. When I leave the class it makes me feel like I'm smart enough to accomplish my goals.
- He's always in a good mood, and he spreads that positive energy with his students.
- He teaches his students that it's okay to be yourself. He's very open about being gay and his personal life. I respect that because with encouragement like that I feel like it'll make other people less scared when it comes to coming out.
- He has a good sense of humor, which keeps the class entertaining.
- He knows the fine line between work and fun. He can be strict with attendance and homework policies, but it's all in our best interest. But he can also make class fun.
- His confidence radiates and give us confidence.
- He's always encouraging us to be better people. He said something that really stayed with me, so I wrote it down. "Show your beauty in the world by helping people." I'll never forget that line.
- He remembers his students. The first time I met him was in my freshman orientation. We hit it off right away so I made sure to switch to his class. The first day of class/the second time I met him, I walk in the door and he greeted me by my name. I was so surprised considering how many students he has and how many people know him.
Mary Ellen Gleason, ESOL/TRS
Mary Ellen Gleason is one of the most innovative instructors I know. She has developed real-life problems for students to work on for each unit in her Math classes, and seems to easily contextualize material. She is currently working on developing a hybrid TRS Math course which will be offered in the spring. She seems to always look for new and improved ways to present material while keeping the students' best interests in mind. They appreciate her for it!
Scott Rudd, English/Philosophy
Almost every time I pass Professor Rudd's office, he is conferencing with a student. His commitment has clearly been paying dividends. His students are consistent winners at Scholars Day. His involvement in Phi Theta Kappa has helped launch the MCC chapter to national prominence. Professor Rudd has personally driven students to conferences throughout the Northeast and guided them to numerous honors. Scott Rudd is a passionate teacher whose command of material, classroom energy, and contributions to student success should not go unnoticed.
Rich Stevens, Biology
I have heard so many great compliments about Rich Stevens. It is clear that Rich is highly respected by the MCC student population. Students are always talking about how their classes with Professor Stevens are fun and interactive. Every time I walk by the classroom, the students are engaged, actively participating, and enjoying their time in class. Recently, Rich has put an incredible amount of time and effort into the critter wall at the Downtown Campus. The critter wall is a huge attraction for students--they just love it. I love watching the students smile as they observe the critters with their friends. Many students also take the time to read the educational signs Rich made for each critter. Great job!
Renee Dimino, ESOL/TRS
Professor Renee Dimino is a dynamic teacher who prepares engaging and challenging lessons for her students. She uses cognitively demanding materials, has extremely high standards, and requires impressive levels of engagement and critical thinking from her students, all while seamlessly integrating scaffolding and supports that help students avoid frustration and increase their sense of self-efficacy. She meets with students in her office and connects them with services across the campuses. Professor Dimino also supports her colleagues, generously sharing her time and materials and delivering professional development that is relevant and immediately applicable in their classrooms. She is an amazing teacher and colleague who deserves recognition for her many contributions toward making MCC an inspiring place for students to learn and grow.
Thank you for all of the nominations!
Please visit the TCC website to make a nomination: https://www.monroecc.edu/organizations/tcc/
Eugenia Merliss
Teaching & Creativity Center
11/29/2017