University Teaching Initiative Award
Allison M. Kroesch, Ed.D.
- Assistant Professor Mathematics Methods and Teaching in the Department of Special Education
- EdD from the Illinois State university in 2018
The resource or person that has been the most important influence in my teaching career is … (and why)
At the end of each semester, I hand out a business card with my name and personal email address. The most rewarding aspect of teaching for me is when my former students contact me and either ask for advice, thank me for something I taught them, or reach out and tell me where they are teaching. I love to hear about their success in teaching, the students they impact, and how I made a small impact on their lives.
If you asked my students what makes me an effective teacher, I would hope that they would say … and/but I think that they would actually say …
My effectiveness as a teacher manifests from my passion for teaching and learning. Students often tell me that they can feel my energy and enthusiasm for the content I teach. I believe that if you love what you do, you can be effective in students' lives, providing them with a sense of love for learning, too.
The one teaching technique or strategy that I would recommend to my colleagues to enhance student learning the most is …
As educators, we constantly seek strategies to help our students grow, either within the classroom or in their lives. The teaching strategy that I would highly recommend for enhancing student learning is periodically seeking and reflecting on feedback. My students submit anonymous feedback about what they like and would like to improve throughout the semester. Providing transparency throughout this reflective process gives my students a voice in their class, strengthening their connection to the classroom and the material.
"…I am open about overcoming similar obstacles throughout my career so that my students understand that they are not alone on their academic journey. I want my students to realize that education is an experience of constant growth."