Kent State University’s Outstanding Teaching Award, sponsored by the University Teaching Council, honors full-time, nontenure-track and part-time faculty members who consistently demonstrate extraordinary skills in classroom teaching. Three of the six finalists will be presented with the award.

The University Teaching Council presents this year’s finalists:

Mary Bacha, College of Nursing, Kent Campus

Mary Bacha

Mary Bacha is described by her students as caring and motivating. Bacha is available to help her students both inside and outside of the classroom, and she strives to make learning fun for them. Her teaching style reflects how passionate she is about her work and how much she cares about her students’ success. Bacha responds quickly to students’ comments and questions about the courses. Bacha took a personal interest in each of her students, and she took the time to learn each of their names, even in a class of more than 200 students. Students say that everything Bacha teaches will be relevant to their careers.

Tang Ding, Chemistry, Geauga Campus

Tang Ding, Ph.D.

The students of Tang Ding, Ph.D., say her enthusiasm for chemistry makes them excited to learn. Ding does not just read off PowerPoint slides during class, but instead, she explains subject material in her own way and encourages their questions. She is always willing to tailor her teaching style to meet the needs of her students. Students say the work she assigns encourages thought processes that will help them succeed in their careers. Ding’s concern for her students goes above and beyond their classwork, and she is happy to speak with them about their lives before or after class. Ding makes sure none of her students fall behind in class, and makes sure everyone feels like they matter to her.

Jill Lahrmer, Architecture and Environmental Design, Kent Campus

Jill Lahrmer

Jill Lahrmer demonstrates knowledge on everything she teaches about by supporting information with her personal experiences. Lahrmer talks about her projects with a sense of pride, but still displays humility. It is clear to her students that she loves what she does. Instead of focusing on assignment due dates, Lahrmer works with her students to make sure they know what to expect and when. Lahrmer takes time out of her day to answer questions students have, to understand how they see the material and to make it easier for them. She grades assignments and exams in a timely manner with helpful feedback. Students say her teaching style is not overwhelming, but it motivates them and makes them feel excited for their careers.

Jamie McCartney, ASL/English Interpreting, Kent Campus

Jamie McCartney, Ph.D.

Jamie McCartney, Ph.D., is organized about her classes and makes her expectations clear to her students. She makes sure she is always as thorough as possible to help her students understand the material. In addition to teaching, McCartney still is a practicing interpreter because she believes she needs to practice in the field to be able to teach her students about what is relevant. She uses her own experiences with her students to answer questions they have about the field and their future careers. Students appreciate that McCartney modified her classwork to fit their needs, so they are challenged, but still feel as though they are able to grow their skills and confidence with interpreting. McCartney is a support system for her students, and she helps them feel safe about making mistakes in class.

Matthew Shank, English, Kent Campus

Matthew Shank

Matthew Shank organizes his class so students do not have trouble figuring out what is required. Before classes start, Shank has the syllabus and book list ready to help his students. Shank is enthusiastic about his work and is willing to read over students’ papers multiple times to make sure he has gotten everything right. Students can tell he has genuine excitement for the material, which makes them want to achieve more in his class. Shank creates a class environment in which his students push themselves to excel. Shank cares about his students on a personal level, and is willing to help them with schoolwork and career goals, even after they have completed his class.

Michelle Wollenzier, English, Kent Campus

Michelle Wollenzier, Ph.D.

Michelle Wollenzier, Ph.D., structures her class in an organized manner, and she thoroughly communicates the subject matter to students. Students say Wollenzier is enthusiastic about the subject matter and is always ready to teach in a friendly, respectful manner. Wollenzier challenges students throughout the course to think deeply about the subject matter. Wollenzier grades her students’ papers fairly and always gives valuable feedback about each assignment. Wollenzier takes a personal interest in each of her students and is willing to do whatever is necessary to help them with problems or concerns, which even meant meeting with them outside of class for coffee.