MCC Daily Tribune

Day 3 of our gratitude series: Kudos to ESOL & Transitional Studies

Day 3 of TCC gratitude continues kudos with from students to faculty and staff. Today’s recognized academic department is ESOL and Transitional Studies: faculty and staff appreciate you.

Kudos from Faculty and Staff to ESOL and Transitional Studies

The entire ESOL and Transitional Studies Department:

The ESOL/TRS Department has remained wholly committed to student success, despite a challenging year of planning for the future integration into partner departments. Notably, the newest faculty in the department are highly involved in sustaining existing initiatives focused on student success, and becoming involved in promising projects which would continue to increase student success at the institution. These faculty exemplify service to students and to the College.

Eric Berg (ESOL and Transitional Studies):

Eric continues to represent our ESOL/TRS department so professionally and capably during this most difficult time of transition. Throughout the dissolution and integration period for our department, Eric masterfully led us through planning, organizing, and ultimately enacting this new path to the future. Eric Berg is a consummate professional who truly cares about his colleagues and all the while, deftly centers his attention and focus on his students. Thank you, Eric!

Kudos from Students to Professor Berg:

Professor Berg is really patient and ready to help all students, he really takes his time to explain all our questions, being this my first semester of school I’m happy that I had someone like him to guide me through this course.

April Daniels (ESOL and Transitional Studies)::

April Daniels is an invaluable asset to this institution for a number of reasons. Above all, equity-mindedness is at the heart of all that April does. She takes a lead in several of our equity-based initiatives across the College, from her work as the Faculty Association's Diversity & Inclusion Chair, a member of the IDEA Council, her past leadership role with the Faculty Senate, as well as in her day-to-day role as an educator and valued colleague. April provides us with powerful modeling of what it means to be an equity-minded educator and professional here at MCC and to live life through one's values. Thank you for all that you do, April!
April's passion and dedication to the success of our most vulnerable students shines through all of work she does at the College. She demonstrates the principles of diversity, equity, and belonging in her work with students, developmental education, curriculum, and teaching/learning. What truly stands out about April is the profound love she has for her students and her work at MCC. We are grateful that she is emerging as a College-wide leader.

Judi Salsburg Taylor (ESOL and Transitional Studies):

Judi Salsburg Taylor remains deeply committed to her role as a developmental educator and continually strives to innovate in her classrooms. This semester, the ESOL/TRS department offered a new course, TRS 090 with TRS 091 lab, and Judi's work to create an enriching and engaging atmosphere for her students in a fully online environment is truly commendable. In all of this, Judi has also been central in hosting ongoing discussion for faculty. Thank you for your important work with this new offering, Judi! Your students are certainly benefitting greatly from your expertise.

Jim McCusker (ESOL and Transitional Studies):

Jim goes out of his way to be approachable, supportive, and encouraging to all his students. His humor and empathy impact everyone around him, whether that's in meetings, in the hall, or in the classroom, and I feel proud to work with him. Jim makes a sincere commitment every day to celebrating all our students and colleagues. His dedication and leadership on behalf of the ALP program at MCC reflects a deep knowledge of engaged pedagogy and reflective practice. Jim is an asset to MCC, his students, and his colleagues.
Jim's leading role in the highly successful Accelerated Learning Program, ALP, continues to be central to increasing student success in ENG 101. Jim's efforts to build community among faculty teaching ALP includes co-chairing the ALP committee for a number of years, along with his creation of the ALP Salons: an informal, well-attended time to engage in meaningful conversations about pedagogy with other fellow faculty teaching ALP. As a regular attendee, I can confirm that this time is affirming, communal, educational, and boasts a number of other "regulars" who wouldn't miss it. As Jim is fond of saying, "The conversations stay, the learning leaves." Thank you, Jim, for your commitment to ALP, to your students, and to the ongoing betterment of your fellow colleagues. Your generosity is sincerely appreciated by so many!

Diane Clements (ESOL and Transitional Studies):

Diane is a remarkable mentor, an incredibly supportive colleague as well as a phenomenal instructor. Her support for adjunct instructors is invaluable. I am happy to have her on my team.

Kelly Tudhope (ESOL and Transitional Studies):

Kelly is a kind and compassionate instructor who is invested in her students success. She has the ability to meet the students where they are and facilitate their learning to be successful through the use of differentiated instruction. She encourages her students to seek extra help and always takes the time to bring them to the TAAC and help them to navigate that tutoring space. In addition, she has stepped up several times to fill in for other instructors, at the last minute. The ESOL/TRS department is lucky to have Kelly has an instructor in our department.

Mary Mulligan (ESOL and Transitional Studies):

Mary has been adjunct for ESOL/TRS for about 3 years, teaching in the Reading and Developmental English program. She is a master instructor with a love of teaching and learning, and has been able to infuse her love of learning into her students. Many of Mary's students have told me how fortunate they are to have had her as instructor. They indicated that Mary has given them confidence in their ability to learn and helped them to see how successful they can be throughout their academic journey. The ESOL/TRS department is grateful to have Mary as part of our instructional team.

Demetrius Rhodes (ESOL and Transitional Studies):

Demetrius developed a COS 101 section as if he were on "turbo drive" in gaining fluency in Brightspace--including a high number of its tools, which he utilized to enhance the student learning experience and foster connections. Demetrius prioritized student needs from before the beginning of preview week in a way that I believe students could feel in both the instructor's messaging and course design.

Kudos from Students to ESOL and Transitional Studies Faculty:

Andrea Giardino(ESOL and Transitional Studies):

Professor Giardino has been one of the most influential and remarkable teacher I have had. As a returning adult student, math was a very difficult subject. She made the class enjoyable and the way she teaches I can retain the curriculum. I wish there were more professors like her. She truly cares for her students and it shows. Her class is one class that I have a high grade in and it’s because of her teaching style.
Ms.G is so kind and patient with her students. She truly has a passion for what she does and it reflects to us as her students very much so! I’m so grateful for her for showing teaching me math. I look forward to not only going to my math class but she’s made me love math again. I’ve gained so much more confidence entering higher math courses in my future here at MCC

Bridget Dee (ESOL and Transitional Studies):completed SYFS (Second Year Faculty Series):

She is amazing. She teaches her students honestly.

Debra Sobko (ESOL and Transitional Studies):

Professor Sobko has been Absolutely Amazing. She has taken time away from her family several times throughout this semester to help myself and others to understand math which of course isn't my friend. She has not complained one time or even acted as if she was frustrated to be on zoom at 9pm to tutor in math or 8am on a Sunday morning. She has done it with Grace and a Smile. She has so much patience. I appreciate and thank her so much for all she has done to help me to understand what I need to know in math this semester. She has truly been a blessing to me.
Something remarkable Professor Sobko did was teaching me math in a way that made sense to me and our class. Math use to be my least favorite subject. In fact, I put off taking a math class for as long as i could. I am now forever grateful that I've taken Pre Algebra with Professor Sobko. She is able to teach mathematical concepts in a way that resonates perseverance and grace within the her lessons. She cared about both our understanding and abilities as much as she cared about her delivery of the lessons. She made it a point to check in consistently with each of us through zoom meetings and breakout sessions. I knew I was going to like this class when I seen Professor Sobko's use of colors within her notes. That simple tool has helped me be successful throughout the course. Professor Sobko is a great educator and remarkable at teaching Pre Algebra! I really enjoyed this math class. I loved the experience of being able to really understand the Algebra that I struggle with in High-school. This is a truly a great transitional class that builds off of the basics.

Diane Clements (ESOL and Transitional Studies):

Dr. Diane Clements is an outstanding faculty at MCC institution. She is remarkable, hardworking, stern but she cares as well. Dr. Clements goes above and beyond and she shows up. When it comes to assignments she’s very clear& makes it’s clear she’s there for a helping hand. As well as, responding to everything when it’s a discussion board, and or feedback. Faculty like Dr. Clement’s makes college worthwhile. Thank you!!
Professor Clements is very organized. I take online classes and her classes are well prepared and it is easy to follow all assignments. She is always ready to help and answer all questions. She inspires with her advice to go to the set goals.

Diane Dinkins-Lourette (ESOL and Transitional Studies):

I spent my entire life thinking I could not stand math. Thanks to Professor Dinkins-Lourette, that has completely changed. Her class this semester was exactly what I needed to succeed. She goes above and beyond to make sure students are prepared. She works hard to keep online resources up to date. She gives print outs every class to ensure students are keeping up on current and future work. She takes time on each topic and gives multiple ways to work out problems. Her class was well structured and she makes herself available for tutoring outside of class hours. I can't say the same for other professors on staff. Give her a huge thank you for me!

Donald Toyer (ESOL and Transitional Studies):

My math teacher does a great job at being passionate and understanding to students that struggle a great deal with math

Pam Fornielli (ESOL/Transitional Studies):

She is the best teacher from my English teachers. She knows how to speak with student, how to encourage them, how to give the advice. Her classes was interesting all the time.

James McCusker (ESOL/Transitional Studies):

Professor McCusker is the absolute best teacher I've had at MCC. He goes out of his way to personally connect with every student. He is kind, understanding, and very generous with his time. He listens openly and communicates well. His jokes and antics make the class fly by. I have learned so much from him! English is not my forte, but he has made me much more confident. I have never met a teacher in my whole life who is so passionate and dedicated to his craft. I have nothing but respect and gratitude. This man was born to be an educator!
He is a well maintained man that has a passion for his work and his students and it shows in the best ways with his students. He knows his craft like that back of his hand and knows how to be a decent human being and help out where needed.

Linda Quinlan (ESOL/Transitional Studies):

Very patient. She's very understanding that sometimes a student needs more time and gives us many chances to redo work to get passing grades. She gives us all out homework and practice work weeks ahead of time to give us as much time as possible to be ready for tests and offers retakes of practice tests and plenty of extra credit to bring up your grades.

Mary Gleason (ESOL/Transitional Studies):

Prof Gleason was always there. No matter how many emails I may have sent, she responded to every one of them. Always assuring me I can do this, and I am not alone in this journey through college. She has made me feel that whether she's my professor or not, she will always be here for me. I couldn't have asked for better support. Thank you, Professor Gleason!
It has been a pleasure being in Ms Gleason's class. She has patience, always ready and willing to guide us through difficult math problems. I love her energy and kindness.

Megan Glaser (ESOL/Transitional Studies):

She is very understanding, welcoming, and very willing to help her students reach their personal goals. She works with students very well, and every lesson has a purpose behind it.

Melis Kural
Teaching & Creativity Center
05/22/2024