2013 Teaching Initiative Award Winner
April L. Mustian, Ph.D.
- Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (2010)
- Assistant Professor of Special Education, Department of Special Education
Teaching philosophy
My teaching philosophy centers on setting high student expectations, fostering passion and enthusiasm for teaching, developing high levels of student engagement, modeling best teaching practices, and creating positive, professional relationships that extend beyond the college classroom.
Proudest teaching accomplishment
Students, long after I have had them in my courses, still feel comfortable enough to reach out to me to help them problem solve and effectively intervene with their students. It shows me that they are trying, not giving up, and seeking support and resources so that they can be more effective with their children. I love that!!
Best compliment from a student
One that sticks out was an honest and heartfelt e-mail I received from a student who would sometimes come to my class feeling very “low.” He said that every time my class ended, I had always done something small that impacted him in a very big way, inspiring him, and giving him hope. It’s amazing how impactful small gestures of kindness can be, and he reminded me of that!
My motivation to become a professor
Comes from an honest feeling of helplessness when I was a classroom teacher. I was fighting against a system that wasn’t conducive to the needs of my culturally diverse students. I felt that I needed to put myself in a position in which I could work with many others in the field to change systemic problems in disciplinary practices. I am just beginning my journey, but I hope that I am impacting future “kiddos” by providing my preservice teachers the tools and knowledge to be effective teachers.
