2018 Outstanding University Graduate Student Teaching Award Winner- Masters II

Abby Iocca, B.S.

B.S. Food, Nutrition and Dietetics, Illinois State University (2017)
Graduate Student/Dietetic Intern

Teaching Philosophy

It is important to create a successful educational environment through encouraging a growth mindset, use of resources, and application of meaningful work.

Three most valuable approaches that I bring to my teaching practice

Passion for learning and helping others learn

Continuing to develop and apply a growth mindset for myself and in the classroom

Encouraging innovative and applicable projects and work

The resource or person that has been the most important influence in my teaching career is

My professors in Family and Consumer Sciences. I know it sounds cliché, but it is true. The professors in the FCS department are the best educators and mentors and have helped me develop my own teaching style.

The most challenging aspect of teaching for me is

Finding the best way to explain a new idea. I have found that asking students to discuss new ideas in groups helps other students understand these ideas as well as bring about new questions that can be discussed and answered.

Image of the University Seal — “... seeing students' progress from the first paper to the final paper. It is very rewarding seeing students apply what they have learned over the semester in the final.”