Huge honor, because students who had nominated me were there, and seeing them and realizing
what they had done to make the nomination just felt really humbling.
I think when the students look at the way I teach, I would hope they would see the enthusiasm
that comes from me being excited about what I like to do.
You know, I’m always trying to take a risk in the classroom by doing something to do,
stretching, and that makes it exciting.
The reason that I love being in the classroom because that’s the point where the change
happens directly from what I’m doing.
I have a chance to help them learn, to see something new, and I love that.
I think the recognition is really important because it shows what we value.
We need to be able to say to our students, to our community, to the parents of our students,
that this enterprise values teaching at the highest level.
It’s really kind of amazing to realize that my instinct at prioritizing that first, and
the hard work has come to the point that there is some recognition for that.
It is such a huge honor to have received this award, I am absolutely thrilled.
Teaching is one of the things I love most about my job and to be recognized in it makes
me really happy.
The most rewarding part about being a teacher is watching students improve.
Seeing a student’s paper come in at the end of the semester, and having it really
be smart and clear, and you think back to where that student was at the beginning of
the semester – that is exciting.
So the fact that this award was awarded based on what my students have said about my class
really means a lot.
I would like to thank the alumni association for recognizing teaching as something that
is really important.
It’s really incredible and very touching.
To be honored, especially a university-wide award like this, it’s very humbling, I was
positively influenced by several really good professors during my life, and so, it made
a great deal that it was nominated by students.
The students are paying a quite a bit of money to learn.
It’s not fair to them for me to go in one day and sort of be like, “Well, I’m having
an off day and I’m going to take it easy.”
No, I need to go and be engaged.
They feed off of the professor.
If you start off in a class, and the professor is late, if the professor is not prepared,
well, then the students are not going to be prepared.
It’s not fair for me to expect them to put in the work if I am not willing to do the
same.
I am very happy that the alumni association is doing this – to recognize those efforts.
I am honored and humbled to receive it.
I n ever expected to win something like this.
It’s hard for me to express what it means to me, but it means a great deal.
To be even nominated for an award was, you know, awesome, and to actually win on top
of that was just extra.
It’s really the students that motivate me.
You know, they look towards me to help them.
It feels good to be counted on.
You know, I try to be quick to reply and help students when they need it, and I usually
give them my number and my email and they know they can text me any time.
I think the alumni association giving any type of award really does motivate you to
come back the next day and know that you are appreciated that people do notice what you
are trying to do.
I looked at the website after I won the award and I realized what an elite group of people
have received this award and its not a lot of people either so that just makes it even
more prestigious to me.
It inspires myself and the people around me to continue to improve on teaching and improve
on mentorship and know that there are people noticing what we do.
It means a lot, it means a lot in terms of...
I love my students – a lot.
I always try to teach them imagination.
If you remember albert Einstein, he said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”
And that should be our goal, not just toward our diploma, but teach the student how to
use imagination, how to be creative, how to be entrepreneurial.
They’re fantastic people, they are gifted young individuals.
And, I think about them and I care about them, and when they give back in terms of learning
what you want to transfer it feels great, but, when you even get an award, which shows
that they do think about you outside of the classroom as well, it’s a humbling experience.
I think its tremendous and I’m so pleased and proud to join this distinguished club
of great teachers at UK.
Its one thing to get an award and to work hard and to be recognized by your peers, but
to be nominated and awarded by the students means everything.
I’ve had a lot of great mentors all through my life, so I think it’s my responsibility
to give back.
But I really enjoy watching the thrill of discovery.
When you’re able to help them get the aha moment and really connect the dots is really
a wonderful opportunity to share that knowledge.
And now, I’m mentoring the next generation of students.
It’s my job to take what I’ve been given and develop and cultivate that at the next
level.
Its great to be appreciated.
The alumni association does a lot of great things.
Its nice that they do something for the people that are keeping the doors open, if you will,
at the university.
I thought that was one of the best moments of my life of being awarded this great honor
by my students, the people that I get up and serve everyday.