The Oregon Tech Foundation and The Commission on College Teaching (CCT) recently awarded the Oregon Tech Foundation Excellence in Teaching Awards to Instructor David Johnston, Ph.D., and Associate Professor Kristy Weidman.
The recognition is presented annually to honor the outstanding teaching of one faculty member from the College of Health, Arts, and Sciences and one faculty member from the College of Engineering, Technology, and Management.
This student-selected award honors faculty members who have made a difference in the lives of students via student engagement and positive interactions, intellectual excitement, availability, teaching practices, and timely and effective student feedback.
Dr. Johnston is an Instructor of Physics in the College of Health, Arts, and Sciences.
A nomination for Dr. Johnston stated:
“Professor Johnston is passionate about helping students learn. Although Physics is the subject that he teaches, what he really teaches is how to learn, problem-solve, and keep trying even when you're not initially successful. He does this through research-based teaching methods including creating an engaging and safe classroom environment, holding his students to high, but reasonable expectations, providing a challenging, but incredibly fair, grading scheme that is based on the effort that each student puts in, providing students with multiple opportunities to not only learn from mistakes through corrections, but ample opportunity to meet with him to discuss corrections and by treating each student kindly and equitably. In general, I believe one of Professor Johnston's greatest strengths is the ability to meet each student where they're at and push them to be the best learner that THEY can be. He doesn't use a one size fits all approach to teaching. “
Weidman is an Associate Professor of Management in the College of Engineering, Technology, and Management.
A nomination for Weidman stated:
“Professor Weidman is such a creative instructor. Each class she brings in new information and hands-on challenges for students to tackle. Her pedagogy pushes the envelope, and she is not afraid to experiment to find new ways for students to learn and apply their learning. She often designs her classes with current hands-on projects for a new sponsor/business each term. This takes a great deal of effort on her part to design the class so students get real-world experience. Some of the examples include marketing plan development for a new business each spring. She also designed an entire class around the concept of creating a marketing magazine - where students proposed topics, researched, and wrote stories. Kristy creates high-impact learning experiences!!!”
With this award, the Foundation honors faculty members whose talents as teachers make a difference in the lives of students. Award recipients will receive a $1,000 stipend and are acknowledged in Oregon Tech’s commencement program.
The Award Selection Committee includes:
David Hammond, HAS Prior Award Recipient
Brian Moravec, ETM Prior Award Recipient
Don Johnson, Oregon Tech Foundation Board Representative
Chris Keith, CCT Student Representative- Portland Metro Campus
Thomas Long, CCT Student Representative, Klamath Falls Campus
Kailea Boerste, ASOIT Representative
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