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MCC Daily Tribune

TCC Gratitude Series, Day 6: Kudos to STEM Part 1

Today, the TCC would like to honor the good work of some STEM faculty, as written by their students. We hope you enjoy reading these as much as we did.

Amanda Colosimo and Terry Shamblin
Interim TCC Co-Coordinators

  • Gabe Armatas, Chemistry
    • Just did a great job teaching gen chem 2. Explained concepts in a clear and concise way, did plenty of practice with our class to ensure we got all of the concepts, and also posted extremely helpful review videos before exams. He's a great prof.
  • Amanda Colosimo, Geosciences
    • Professor Colosimo is super patient with students, responds to emails extremely quickly, and is overall a joy to learn from. Even in a purely online environment, her passion for geology is obvious. I would have loved to have had the experience to learn from her in person.
  • Brian Edelbach, Chemistry
    • Professor Edelbach takes the time to make sure all of us “get it.” If we’re having trouble he has no problem taking time outside of class to answer any questions we may have. I’m a disabled student and I appreciate that he works with me in any capacity he can. He’s setting me up for success. If I’m willing to work toward it, he’s more-than-willing to go to extra mile to push me to get there and help along along way.
  • Paul Emerick, Biology: 3 nominations!
    • He creates an amazing atmosphere in the classroom and there’s one of the nicest teachers I’ve ever met. He makes learning easier.
    • He takes the time to help each student when they ask and has structured his class for the busy, working college student to get the most out of his course and remember the material long term.
    • What separated professor Emerick from the rest is how he would give the information that we needed to learn in smaller increments, such as a total of 5 exams instead of 2 exams. By doing this it gave the students more time with the material. I felt that I actually retained the information learned instead of just memorizing it for the test. Coming up with smart book was also genius because it makes the students have to look at the lecture material before hand. Resulting in some knowledge about the topic before attending the lecture class. He would always use life experiences whenever possible to help us correlate the material with real life events.
  • Michele Finn, Biology
    • I love Michele Finn. She always works hard for the student.
  • Jenifer Markham, Biology
    • Professor Markham is one of the sweetest and most generous teachers I have ever met. She takes the time to explain things thoroughly. Professor Markham also is very understanding that life happens and things don’t go as planned. She always has her students' best interest at heart.
  • Laura Penman, Biology: 3 nominations! 
    • Prof. Penman has the spirit that brings the best out of students. She's always gives us the motivation to study and amazing learning techniques. She taught us to work hard and appear in the exams without worrying about the results. It was just what a perfect mentor is all about. Thank you, Prof. Penman!
    • Professor Penman has made learning Anatomy and Physiology not only easy, but fun. I had started this class 5 years ago, and dropped it because I thought that it seemed IMPOSSIBLE. Now, taking it as an adult, I have found that I love the class and am able to do very well, because Prof. Penman is a fabulous teacher.
    • Professor Penman does a great job at helping her students truly understand the lesson and she provides many resources and guidance to help students with whatever they need. She’s really nice and knows how to keep the classroom engaged. Words cannot explain how amazing of a professor she is.
  • Ben Schermerhorn, Engineering Sciences and Physics
    • Dr. Ben is the definition of putting students first. Not only will he individually help you with any academics, but will help you outside of that to go out of his way to make everything work well for you as the individual. If you have any problems while going to college, Dr. Ben is the first person to understand and to help.
  • Richard Stevens, Biology
    • Professor Stevens exhibits such an admirable love for Biology and the natural world, and can get absolutely anybody on earth excited about science. One can’t help but get just as pumped about Biology as he is. Once he starts talking, it’s contagious. Teachers who love their subject make learning exciting and worthwhile, and Professor Stevens is a pro.
  • Lydia Tien, Chemistry: 2 nominations!
    • Professor Lydia goes above and beyond for her students.
    • I would like to thank Professor Tien for always challenging us, while also being available to answer any questions in a timely fashion and with clarity. I appreciate her for showing how much she cared for her students to succeed.
  • Joanna Tsai, Biology: 3 nominations!
    • Professor Tsai goes out of her way to explain to us how we will understand personally and how we will use physiology and anatomy in our future careers. She also meets before and after class to ensure success.
    • I would like to thank my professor for allowing me to attend her other sections. She was patient with me and empathetic towards my illnesses. She is a great professor!
    • Professor Tsai has gone above and beyond to help me understand the material. She is a great professor and I truly appreciate her!
  • Charles Wuertzer, Biology
    • Professor Wuertzer made class interesting and worked one on one with us during lab. He was very understanding to each of our situations and was very kind.

Terry Shamblin
Teaching and Creativity Center
12/12/2022