Student Tribune
TCC: Kudos for Teaching Excellence Winners!
Thank you for all of the nominations! Please visit the TCC website to make
a nomination: https://www.monroecc.edu/organizations/tcc/
Nominated by students:
Jason Smith, Visual and Performing Arts
Jason Smith completely inspired me in my first college semester. He pushes
students to do their absolute best work and offers advice to get you there. I
had not taken an art class in more than 25 years. I was way out of my
element. Jason stressed how the importance of craft can take a work of art to
a whole new level. This was opportunity to do well in a class that I had
basically no experience in. He took the time to show me how to use a ruler. A
skill I thought that I had - I was wrong. He demonstrated how to use an
exact-o knife, different pencils to use that were easier to erase. For a
college level class, I felt totally supported. One day we were in his office
and he was critiquing my work and I told him that I wasn’t an artist. He
paused, looked at me and said, “you are absolutely an artist”. I will never
forget that. It gave me the boost of confidence I needed. A semester later, I
realize that the attention to detail in craft is not taught in every art
class. I am so glad that I learned that skill right at the start of my college
career. It will help me to differentiate myself not only here, but also in the
future.
Nominated by faculty:
Lincoln Reid, Biology
With the move to the new campus fast approaching, the amount of packing
occurring in the DCC biology labs has been intense! While all of the faculty
in the sciences are working hard to get items packed, Lincoln Reid stands out
for the immense amount of added workload he has taken on. Lincoln is our
science team leader for the move. He has conveyed all the necessary
information to us faculty in a timely fashion and made sure all of our numerous
questions received answers. He has taken on more than his share of work and
even gave up his spring break to organize and pack boxes. We returned from
spring break to multiple ROOMS full of packed boxes with still more to be
competed. Lincoln has done this all to make sure the college meets the May
31st move out deadline and to allow us faculty to focus as much as we can on
teaching our students.
Elizabeth Johnston, English/Philosophy
She truly puts students first in everything that she does. Dr. Johnston is
continually looking for ways to improve her courses, often through modern
technologies and teaching methodologies. She is always engaged in some type of
professional development, in order for her to better serve her students.
Moreover, you can always find her conversing with colleagues across the
college, discussing best practices and learning from one another. I truly enjoy
my conversations with her, to that effect. Dr. Johnston is highly deserving of
this recognition.
Eric Berg, ESOL/TRS
Eric Berg always has students in his office. They come before and after
class and they are there during his office hours. He can explain how to do a
math problem in a variety of ways so that every learner finds can successfully
approach that problem in a way that is comfortable and understandable to that
individual. In his classroom, he differentiates instruction so that every
student has enough time on task and so no one is sitting and waiting for the
rest of the group to catch up. He provides detailed feedback on homework and
an analysis of strengths and weaknesses to each student. He establishes a
comfortable yet professional classroom atmosphere. Students connect with him
and his teaching style so much they want to take their follow on math courses
with him whenever possible.
Mark Sample, AHPS
Mark, like every faculty here, is passionate about his job and helping
students. But, I feel there are a couple of things that make him extraordinary.
Firstly, his passion for his subject matter is infectious. I have students that
hate writing and reading, and LOVE his class. He makes history accessible and
fun, unlike many of the students' past experiences of memorization of dates. He
is why students play around with idea of a Bachelor’s Degree in History.
Secondly, he walks that difficult line between 'hard but fair' amazingly well.
His students describe him as down to earth, but I know for a fact he is
straight with his students when they are not doing well or are falling behind.
He reaches out to them directly, and listens to their problems...but is fair
about their issues. Thirdly, he goes the extra mile in regarding to students
with personal issues. Students with PTSD, troubles at home, etc...he not only
finds out the resources here on campus for them, but asks questions about other
services, so he better understands how to refer his students to them and
advocate for them.
Adrian Smalls, Criminal Justice
Having the office right next to Professor Smalls gives me a ringside seat at
the constant stream of students going in and meeting with him. In countless
instances, I hear how Adrian gives them supporting encouragement about their
career and academic goals and see students leaving with smiles on their faces.
Whenever I speak to students, they cannot stop "raving about Professor
Smalls!" We are all so proud to count him among our colleagues in this
teaching profession.
Jim McCusker, ESOL/TRS
Although Jim is a first year Transitional Studies instructor, he is not new
to MCC. Jim has been an adjunct assistant professor with the English department
and a tutor with the Writing Center for several years. He is an innovative
instructor who is always striving to create a positive and engaging learning
environment for his students. In addition, there is always a line of students
waiting for his one-on-one help during his office hours. He demonstrate
kindness and patience with these students and they often return to him for help
in their other courses. Jim always offers students a “care package” of healthy
snacks before they leave his office because he knows that students are often
hungry and are unable to purchase additional snacks. Many students have stated
that Professor McCusker has not only made them better readers and writers but
also better students. Jim McCusker is an excellent teacher and role model for
MCC’s developmental students.
Paul Emerick, Biology
Being next door to Biology Professor Paul Emerick is similar to attending a
TCC sponsored event on promoting student success. Students often come to
Paul’s office to seek advice on how to improve their performance on his Anatomy
and Physiology exams, and I have had the privilege of overhearing many of these
conversations. Paul starts by asking them a series of questions on how they
prepared for their last exam. Based on their responses, Paul engages in a
dialogue with the students, suggesting specific active learning strategies to
help them understand and apply the concepts. I also get the sense that he is
carefully monitoring their emotional response since he often asks if they
understand what he is suggesting. Paul then puts the ball squarely in their
court and asks the student how they will change their behavior as they prepare
for the next exam. I am always impressed by the positive and encouraging tone
of voice Paul uses when speaking with his students. My impression is that by
the end of the conversation, the students feel a sense of empowerment and are
motivated to improve their performance in his class. If imitation is the
sincerest form of flattery, then I owe Paul a great deal of gratitude. Hearing
Paul interact with his students has provided me with a model to engage with my
own students in a productive fashion. In summary, hearing Paul speak with his
students on how to be successful in his class is like listening to a seminar on
growth mindset.
Merliss, Eugenia
Teaching & Creativity Center
05/10/2017