2010 Teaching Initiative Award Winner

Maria A. Moore, Ed.D.

• Ed.D. in Education from National Louis University (2007)
• Assistant Professor, School of Communication

Teaching philosophy

For the engaged student, who truly seeks deep learning that will enrich and empower his or her life and career choices, I accept the responsibility and the privilege to teach with relevancy, respect, and purposeful design.

Three most valuable approaches that I bring to my teaching practice

The process of seeking relevancy, giving and getting respect, and structuring with purposeful design occurs in my classroom and is neither tidy nor definitive. I accept that a teacher’s basic responsibility is to design an effective environment for learning, an organized and clear approach to teaching a particular subject, and to provide fair and definitive feedback to learners regarding their personal progress. But I come to those responsibilities with a belief that each student is unique and must be allowed meaningful experiences—designed with purposeful intent—within an environment of respect to grow through their singular process.

A good day in my classroom

This is when I see students embracing a tough topic and gaining confidence in their abilities to think big thoughts, express complex concepts, and sort through difficult dilemmas.

I hope my students would say

I treat them with respect while challenging them to grow.

On improving teaching over time:

I have improved my techniques in being clear and definitive about expectations for student success.

Best compliment from a student

“You can check ‘become awesome’ off your list.”