“I try to approach teaching from the learner’s perspective. I am a facilitator and mentor through the learning process. Effective teaching begins and ends with the student.”
-Brian Bender
“Helping students see themselves as valuable players in the classroom truly creates a meaningful and trusting environment for learning to happen.”
-Jodi Lampi
“I try my best to break any barriers that prevent students from approaching me. I promote and engage in active communication with all my students inside and outside the classroom.”
-Purushothaman Damodaran
“The most important role I have is to teach by example. I make a conscious effort to articulate what I am modeling and why.”
-Donna Werderich
“Learning is difficult and takes effort. It is OK for learners and teachers to make mistakes. Turn the mistakes into opportunities for growth and improvement and design a learning environment with this in mind.”
-Brianno Coller
These are some of the insights shared by members of NIU’s newly created Faculty Teaching Mentors team. These experienced and knowledgeable faculty (tenure track, instructional or clinical) are being paired with new faculty at NIU to provide helpful advice, recommendations and mentoring on teaching.
In addition to helping new faculty, mentors are available to all faculty for guidance and support. This pilot program aims to build a vibrant teaching community at NIU and offers a unique opportunity to contribute to teaching excellence while gaining professional recognition and development.
“Teaching is an important aspect of a faculty role, and this program promotes collaboration between our experienced and new faculty to enhance teaching at NIU,” executive vice president and provost Laurie Elish-Piper said. “This reflects NIU’s values of supporting faculty in their professional development to enhance their success and, ultimately, the success of our students.”
Check out the full story in NIU Today.
