2017 Outstanding University Graduate Student Teaching Award Winner- Masters I

Alexander G. Kritselis, B.A.

B.S. in Communication, Illinois State University (2009)
Graduate Teaching Assistant, School of Communication

Teaching philosophy

I strive to create a classroom environment where all students feel safe, valued, and included.

My motivation to become a college professor

I was inspired to become an educator by the multitude of brilliant and supportive instructors, professors, and coaches whom I’ve had the privilege of learning from over the course of my academic career.

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

I want to incorporate more popular media examples (movies, television shows, music, books, etc.) into my lesson plans to help students connect with course content. I would also like to learn new methods for improving students’ overall media literacy.

The most rewarding aspect of teaching for me is

There is nothing more rewarding (or exciting!) than being able to watch students improve and grow over the course of a semester. It’s so cool to see them realize that all of their hard work has paid off.

Best compliment that I received from a student

“If teachers want to help students become more mature, responsible, and independent critical thinkers, they need to allow students to make decisions and draw conclusions for themselves.”

Photo of Alexander Kritselis — “If teachers want to help students become more mature, responsible, and independent critical thinkers, they need to allow students to make decisions and draw conclusions for themselves.”