2016 Outstanding University Graduate Student Teaching Award Winner- Masters II

Stacy Cler, B.S.

B.S. in Chemistry from Illinois State University (2015)
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Chemistry

Teaching philosophy

All students have amazing potential when they are provided with the skills and tools necessary to harness it and succeed.

Favorite part of teaching

I love having a real relationship with my students as it creates a strong foundation of trust and respect between us. I feel having a connection with my students ultimately helps them succeed and reach their potential.

Best compliment from a student

“I have never been able to understand equilibrium until you explained it to me in a way that actually made sense.”

Best moment in my teaching career

To me, seeing a student finally understand a topic makes all the effort worth it.

I want to continue to improve my teaching in the following ways

I plan to continue on and earn my Master’s of Science in Chemistry Education. Through this path, I will be able to continue to learn about the best methods and approaches to education that will improve my own teaching.

The most embarrassing moment in my teaching career and what I learned

Tripping during a demonstration. I learned to be aware of how and where I place materials in the classroom.

Photo of Stacy Cler — “I feel having a connection with my students ultimately helps them succeed and reach their potential.”