Student Tribune
TCC: Congratulations to the Spring Nominees for Kudos for Teaching Excellence!
Each semester, the Teaching and Creativity Center (TCC) solicits nominations
for "Kudos for Teaching Excellence" from students, faculty and staff. Thank you
to those of you who took time to recognize someone who made an impact. To
submit a nomination for next semester, visit: https://
qeasttrial.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1N4PF9rFTIunUIl.
This spring we had 15 nominations, 10 of those from MCC students. Some
professors were nominated several times and those tributes are listed together.
Join the TCC in congratulating these effective educators!
Spring 2019 Kudos for Teaching Excellence
Nominated by Students
Mark Bellavia, Mathematics
We, the students of Mr. Bellavia, would kindly like for you to give special
consideration in recognizing and nominating Mr. Bellavia for his outstanding
performance while he has been tenured here at Monroe Community College. Mr.
Bellavia is a model ambassador to what MCC has to offer to its students and
future students as he consistently displays the highest level of professional
excellence and knowledge in his field of work. As a result he is able to not
only break down the most complicated of math situations into something so
simple that even a small child could understand, but also answer even the most
difficult of questions without ever once having to resort to weak teaching
statements like "just do it this way because it's what we want you to do." He
will always give you an answer and show you how and why this or that does or
does not work and always does so with a thoughtful positive attitude and
charismatic quality that does not leave a student feeling dumb for asking
questions or making mistakes. When it comes to homework and exams, Mr. Bellavia
carefully reviews the work you submit to see how you come to the answers that
you do and then shows you step-by-step the best way to solve each problem that
you get wrong so you don't make the same mistake in the future. Mr. Bellavia
ensures that his students have some kind of access to him when they need help
or are struggling. In closing, there is no doubt that the contributions that
Mr. Bellavia has made during his tenure here at MCC not only benefit our
College as a whole but will continue to benefit both MCC and us, his former
students, long after his retirement and our graduations, for these reasons we
humbly request that you nominate and recognize Mr. Bellavia.
Mary DiSano, Chemistry
Mary DiSano is a terrific professor. She makes her students (or at least I
felt this way in her course) feel very welcomed. She makes time for her
students when they need a little or even a lot of extra help. She tries her
best to make her class fun and yet make sure that the information being taught
will stick with us. Professor DiSano has been one of the best professors I have
had at MCC.
Douglas Henneberg, Health and Physical Education
Doug has helped us immeasurably at the police academy (PSTF). From training
and teaching a number of individuals who deliver PT to police and fire recruits
to always being there when needed formulates the impetus for this nomination.
One recent example, occurred on Friday, February 15, 2019. It was a very
special day for us. Sixty (60) recruit police officers took their final PT test
(push-ups, sit-ups, flexibility, fat caliper testing and the 1.5 mile run). The
wintry weather was ominous with ice and snow in the forecast. Doug facilitated
the use of three rooms and the indoor running track. Additionally, he attended
the testing and volunteered to help out when he observed that we were really
stretched for time. This is not the first time we have had to call Doug for
assistance. Doug Henneberg rocks. He is everything that is good about Monroe
Community College.
David Jacome, Engineering Sciences and Physics
Professor Jacome has the ability to help students and go the extra mile to
assist them with all their needs. Professor Jacome has been so involved with
the MCC community since moving from New York City. He tutors at the Downtown
campus, teaches many courses this semester and will be participating in the
Upward Bound Program during the summertime. In addition, he has been caring and
understanding of students during his time at the college.
Professor Jacome has been a great role model for me since he came to MCC. He
has helped me with my drone project and given me great advice on careers.
Furthermore, he has been involved in different things at the college. He is a
remarkable professor and that's why I wish to nominate him.
Dr. Jacome helps me with my assignments at the tutoring center. He is a
remarkable young man with enthusiasm and passion for sharing his knowledge with
other people. I highly recommend him for recognition.
Dina Giovanelli, Sociology
Professor Giovanelli, who insists on her students calling her Dina, is
absolutely the best professor that I've had the pleasure of taking a class
with. Her understanding of and ability to teach about social issues in the
United States is incredible. Taking her introductory sociology course inspired
me to devote my life to helping others. Taking her social problems course only
strengthened my desire to improve the material conditions of the disprivileged.
She is my favorite professor and I'm sure will be my friend for many years to
come.
Dina made my first semester in school a very rewarding experience. She has
allowed freedom to speak your thoughts, and she thrives on diversity and
inclusion. You can count on Dina to be an advocate for anyone or any group who
is in need. Dina's dedication to her students does not end in the classroom. I
have witnessed her help individuals with real life situations, she will walk
through fires with you!
This professor is awesome. She takes the time with her students to give them
the knowledge and understanding of our social world. She is a compassionate
professor and a great resource in the college experience.
Olga Tsukernik, Mathematics
I really appreciate Professor Tsukernik and the way that she presents
material in class. She has a great way of making the class pay attention to
what she is saying. At the beginning of the year I really struggled with math
and I did not enjoy it; however, I have come to really appreciate math and have
actually done really well this semester! She is firm and direct and keeps us on
our toes. She truly cares about her students' success and pushes us to do our
best. I appreciate her and will be taking future classes with her if I have the
chance to!
Nominated by Faculty and Staff
Diane Clements, ESOL/TRS
Diane is a passionate, masterful teacher and an indispensable member of the
ESOL/TRS team who is deeply committed to meeting her students' affective needs
as well as their academic needs. In the affective realm, she brings food to
class nearly every day, and is always available to help her students navigate
their way to the resources they need and advocate for them if necessary. She is
an active member of the College Resource Committee, which works to support
students in myriad ways. In the academic realm, Diane runs a tight classroom
that requires students to think and engage. I have observed her classes a few
times, and each time, I was impressed with the level of engagement and
commitment among her students. The texts that she uses often engage students in
discussions about the affective issues with which they are struggling, such as
poverty and inequality, so that high level of engagement is not surprising.
Diane is always willing to take on new projects and try new things in her
classroom. She was one of the first faculty involved in the TRS 100 Accelerated
pilot, and was one of the first to pilot new TRS 200 materials that were
developed through the Summer Acceleration Institute in 2016. She is also an
active member of the COS Committee, and is teaching the course online this
semester, along with a hybrid version of TRS 200. In addition to that, she is
also teaching ALP, and is developing a learning community with Addictions
Counseling for fall 2019. She is also immensely supportive of our adjunct
faculty, and mentors any DC faculty who are in need and willing; as a result,
the quality of teaching and consistency in our developmental reading and
writing courses downtown have increased notably. Diane is a true dynamo. Her
energy and enthusiasm are boundless, and her effect on the department and our
students is immeasurable. I cannot think of someone more deserving of this
award than Diane Clements.
Laura Tepper, ESOL/TRS
Laura Tepper is an adjunct assistant professor in the TRS and Education
departments and also serves as a tutor in the Tutoring Center at the Downtown
Campus. She is a creative and dedicated instructor who focuses on student
success. She works tirelessly with students to provide enriching learning
opportunities and ensure that they have to ability to reach their academic
goals. In addition to her hard work with students, Laura also spends countless
hours working with and mentoring new and returning adjuncts. She makes herself
available so that other adjuncts can ask questions and seek guidance for
lessons, student issues, and any other questions they may have. Laura's
dedication and hard work has improved the lives of many students and reaches
beyond her classroom. MCC is fortunate to have Laura Tepper on the faculty and
the TRS department is grateful for all she does for student success.
Thomas Marino, Engineering Science/Physics
Tom is a new technical assistant in the Engineering Science / Physics
department this year, and has done an outstanding job organizing all of the
laboratories. No matter how busy he is, he will stop what he is doing and take
his time to answer questions, set up equipment, and in general make my job as a
lab instructor much easier. He has been incredibly helpful and patient with me,
and has saved many a lab for me by quickly finding replacement equipment or
providing technical assistance. Tom's dedication, positive attitude, and hard
work have made life in the laboratories a great experience for both me and my
students. Keep up the great work!
Mary Timmons, Library Services
Mary has worked very hard to make the learning commons a familiar and
accessible place for our wonderful students. She hosts informational sessions,
visits classrooms, and makes handouts to help students become acquainted with
all the ways their educational experiences can be enhanced through all the
various resources that are available to them. They find learning how to
research topics, write papers, and find tutoring are less challenging or
mysterious because of the dedication she freely displays to them. In addition,
she is an excellent colleague to faculty and staff, always willing to help
secure teaching and research materials we might need to make our classrooms
more engaging.
Diane Dinkens-Lourette, ESOL/TRS
Professor Dinkens-Lourette noticed that when her TRS 092 students retook
tests, they typically scored the same. She knew that they weren't getting
tutoring or studying, but just retaking the test. Now, before students are
permitted to retake a test, they need to get tutored by her or someone in the
tutoring center. This means that some weeks she spends up to 10 hours working
with students outside of class to help them learn the material. She encourages
a growth mindset by first quizzing them and then telling them they were "not
ready" to retest if they couldn't self-correct previous mistakes. As a result
of her extensive commitment to make herself available to them, and her high
expectations, her students are doing significantly better and feeling
successful as math students!
Merliss, Eugenia
Teaching & Creativity Center
05/16/2019