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MCC Daily Tribune

TCC Gratitude Series, day 3: Highlighting Adjunct Faculty, part III

Below are even more nominations the TCC received from students highlighting their fantastic adjunct faculty members. Thank you for all that you do!

  • Nomination: Mary Halecki, English
    The beginning of this semester was very challenging, I was nervous about the unknown of college life.  Mrs. Halecki has helped me out with so much.  She is always willing to go over and beyond with helping the class to gain a clear understanding and concept of different writing styles, and techniques.  I struggled in the past with organizing my thoughts and writing them out; Mrs. Halecki created a worksheet to help me with organizing.  I am truly sad about not having her in my next semester but I will use a lot of her strategies she taught in class in the future. Mrs. Halecki is a great teacher and has shown all of her students how much she cares.
  • Nomination: Diane Chamberlain, English and Transitional Studies
    There are many things that I have learned in this subject that I considered my worst from Professor Diane Chamberlain, but a few of my greatest takeaways was confidence in my own skills and the ability to learn how to learn. Chamberlain, encouraged me to build upon what I already know as she put our learning objectives into constant hands-on practices. She also poured into my sense of self by pointing out that my self-doubting tendency was a hindrance to my acknowledgment of the fact that I truly was a good student in my "Worst subject." For these reasons, I am nominating Professor Diane Chamberlain.
  • Nomination: Linda Quinlan, ESOL/ Transitional Studies
    Thank you for your excellent lectures. I enjoyed every minute of your lecture as well as your marvelous sense of humor.
  • Nomination: Elizabeth Voll, Chemistry
    She's been a very helpful professor. She explains things in a very clear and cohesive manner, and was very kind.
  • Nomination: Tomomi Yamagishi Tewksbury, World Languages
    Yamagishi sensei is one of the most caring, helpful, and passionate educators I have ever met. She takes the time to explain unknown concepts to her students and puts it in a way to make us understand. Through her work ethic, you can see how much time and dedication goes into her lessons, and the amount of effort that is in her work. I am very grateful to have her as my Japanese sensei and cannot wait for JPN 102. 
  • Nomination: Joel Dribelbis, Mathematics
    He is always sympathetic toward students' situations. Is available mostly all the time for any help.
  • Nomination: Renee Cerretto, Mathematics
    Professor Cerretto is one of the best math teachers I’ve ever had. She takes her time while teaching us and she does the work with us. If we are doing good in class and sends us “kudos” and it gives me motivation to keep doing good in class. 
  • Nomination: Diane Dinkins-Lourette, Mathematics and Transitional Studies
    TRS has turned out to be my top 2 best class for my fall semester. Mrs. Dinkins has gone above and beyond the normal expectations to help see each of her students successfully achieve their goals by continuously pushing us to the very best. Mrs.Dinkins is the most caring and generous teacher I have had at MCC!
  • Nomination: Oksana Sorak, Mathematics
    Professor Sorak is exceptional. She is patient and kind. It is so apparent just how much she cares for her students. In all of my years of doing math (middle, high school and college) I’ve never been able to grasp even the most basic of concepts but something changed this semester. Her ability to explain concepts in a memorable way is incredible. She goes through work extensively until she is confident that we’ve picked up each unit. Because of her, when I took a math placement test a few weeks ago, I passed with flying colors and get to graduate a year early. I will be forever grateful for her and her way of teaching. When I start teaching I hope to be just like her.
  • Nomination: Anthony Yiannakos, Mathematics and Transitional Studies
    He is the kindest most patient person I have ever known. He’s also funny and the way he takes time to make sure we understand each problem is really something I admire. As someone who emigrated just recently and, learning the English language I’m very thankful to have met him. 
  • Nomination: Faustin Mbama, Mathematics and Transitional Studies
    I am an adult student returning after 30 years. I was very nervous and insecure about returning to College after many years. I have always struggled in school due to an attention deficit disorder. I really wasn't sure if I could be successful, especially in Math. Professor Mbama has encouraged me tremendously. On days I felt like giving up he would provide support and encouragement. In COS he has taught me many valuable skills that I will use to complete my degree. He cares very much for every one of his students and I appreciate his unending caring and concern. He is an excellent teacher and I couldn't have started this new journey without his rallying support and motivation.
  • Nomination: Jeffrey Mahoney, Mathematics
    He always brings a positive energy to class that makes me excited to learn about math. He is understanding that students have their own lives and is very caring and respectful. He doesn't ask for doctor's notes when you miss class because he understands that going to the doctors can be expensive and difficult for some students. I had missed a couple classes due to me being sick and he agreed to meet me before class started to sum up what I missed as I was struggling to understand it on my own. That was very kind and I feel as though most professors would not have taken that extra step to make sure that I did not fall behind. He's a very fun, kind, and down-to-earth professor and he is the best professor I have ever had at MCC. I hope he gets the recognition he deserves. 
  • Nomination: Matthew Koehler, English and Philosophy
    Professor Koehler is the most thorough and well-spoken teacher I've ever had. His ability to articulate the material as well as he did made his class feel easy to understand, and very (very) fun. Considering the vast, complex ideas that go into philosophy, I feel lucky that I got someone who could teach their class as clearly as he did. Thank you for making my first philosophy course a great one. 
  • Nomination: PJ Ciaccia, Psychology
    I am one of Professor Ciaccia's students and he has really helped me out this semester. He has taken time to meet with me to discuss my class grades and has helped me put my mind at ease. He cares about his students and takes the time to make sure they are doing well. I am thankful to him for helping me out this semester. 
  • Nomination: Doreen Massey, Psychology
    Always kind and nice, she is a good teacher because she always makes sure we learn and understand thoroughly. And class is never boring and makes learning fun!
  • Nomination: Karen Dickerson (VAPA), John Price (ESOL/TRS), and Jason Lanker (ESOL/TRS)
    They go beyond just to help me and other students. They are also really understanding and caring. 
  • Nomination: Nitza Rodrguez, Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA)
    Nitza is an amazing person and a phenomenal teacher. She is very interpersonal when it comes to her dialogue. She teaches compassion and empathy amongst her students, as well as making them aware of the world they live in. She is brilliant and deserves nothing but a life full of success. She has motivated me in being a better person, not just for myself, but for others. I would really appreciate it if she got this award. Thank you! 
  • Nomination: Karen Dickerson, VAPA
    Professor Dickerson genuinely cares about every student in our class and made the classroom environment feel like family. I really look forward to going to her Interpersonal Speech Communication class every day. The way that she teaches also very helpful, she makes sure you understand every lesson and how you can apply them to every day life.
  • Nomination: Andrew Bellush, VAPA
    Professor Bellush is my professor for Interpersonal Speech Communication and I've learned so much from him. He teaches the topic in a way that makes sense and resonates with each student. He's understanding and always listens to what we say, makes an effort to answer every single question clearly, and engages the class in thoughtful discussions. I will take the things I've learned in his class into my every day life.
  • Nomination: Gregory Lendeck, VAPA
    He was a fantastic professor. He fostered my creativity, and was extremely helpful and insightful.

Amanda Colosimo
Teaching and Creativity Center
12/07/2022