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MCC Daily Tribune

Kudos Gratitude Series (Day 7): Students to Colleagues (English and Philosophy Department)

Today, I would like to highlight our outstanding English and Philosophy Department and their partnership with our incredible Supplemental Instructors. Thank you all for the important work you do—you make a difference every day!

Amy Burtner (TCC Faculty Lead & English and Philosophy)

Thank you for all that you do, Amy! I truly appreciate your leadership, encouragement, and dedication within the Teaching and Creativity Center. Thank you as well for your work in organizing the TCC Conversation Series and our upcoming June Teaching and Learning Conference.

I would also like to take this opportunity to invite everyone to review Amy’s post and RSVP for the upcoming June Teaching and Learning conference.

 Yan Aleksanyan & Shay Nowak (Supplementary Instructors- TAAC)

You have both been incredible resources for our students this academic year as you also thrive in your own coursework simultaneously. Thank you for your endless generosity, your enthusiasm for supporting students' progression of skills, and for continuing to be a safe and welcoming space. You both provide powerful role modeling of what it looks like to be committed, curious, and highly accomplished scholars. With gratitude for your efforts and for being exactly who you are!

Yulanda McKinney (English and Philosophy)     

Professor McKinney helped me understand and learn a new method or writing strategy that I can use for any course that I chose to take.

Professor McKinney is exceptional. She has a wonderful ability to understand her students and offer help, even when they are unsure what help they are really asking for. She guides us to understand our own insights and thoughts without imposing what is "right" or "wrong". Hearing her share her experiences, observations, and analyzations has been enlightening and incredibly informative, plus I just love hearing her talk. Her uncanny ability to read her students is remarkable and comforting. Her willingness to get to know and help her students, specifically me, means so much to me. To say I appreciate her would be putting it lightly. 

 James Senden (English and Philosophy)

Professor Senden is incredibly helpful. I so appreciate his willingness to always offer his insights and help his students. He makes himself accessible to all of his students, and he recognizes that students have so much going on outside of their classes and assignments. He has a unique grace with his students that is not only accommodating, but comforting. He understands that everything is a work in progress and all we can do is our best which I find incredibly encouraging. He is willing to talk and help his students with whatever they present him, even if it is not directly related to any assignment. I always enjoy our conversations and classes together. He sees capabilities in his students that they do not even see in themselves. He is wonderful.

Melis Kural
Teaching & Creativity Center
05/27/2026