Seven Northwestern State University faculty have been recognized with the 2021 Excellence in Teaching Award.
Here is a profile of one of this year’s honorees.
Name: Tammy Curtis
Academic college/department: College of Nursing and School of Allied Health
Number of years at Northwestern State: 20
Why is teaching important to you? My inspiration is the students. There is no monetary award that could ever take the place of the feeling that I had a small little part in contributing to their education. We form lifelong relationships that are priceless.
Why do you believe you are an effective teacher? I genuinely care for each student as a person first. They are not a number. They are not a statistic. They are precious creations of our Lord, and I see them as a gift that I am blessed to have a relationship with concerning education and a lifelong career.
As a teacher, what brings you a feeling of accomplishment when working with students? I love to be challenged and find it exciting to go the extra mile to help with their understanding. Nothing can compare to the “ah-ha” teaching moments.
How has the past year affected your teaching methods? I have been challenged to become more creative in presenting content due to 100 % virtual learning. While it was challenging, it was necessary to move forward and worth every effort. I feel that I ended up covering material in more depth than in face-to-face delivery.
Have you learned anything during the last year that will make you a better teacher? In the past year, I have been challenged to become a better educator concerning virtual learning. I have taught online for years, but in this past year, I explored more software and applications for connecting to the students virtually for a more personal experience to meet their needs and support their educational experience.
For more on Dr. Curtis, go to https://vimeo.com/585465525
