Claire and Tom Lamonica Outstanding University Teacher Award, A/P or CS
Kate Boutilier, M.S.
- Academic Advisor, School of Communication
- After receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Washington in 2005
My motivation to become a college professor comes from…
Dr. Mary Ann Moffitt, retired faculty from Illinois State University. She was the first faculty member to encourage me to pursue the master's program and she frequently said "It's fun to be smart". That attitude and approach to learning is something I have carried with me. I have always enjoyed learning, but that was a powerful reminder of the utility in generating and continuing your pursuit of knowledge.
The three most valuable or important methods/approaches/attitudes/etc. that I bring to my teaching practice are …
- Accessibility and availability: It is important to me that students feel they can approach me and receive timely assistance.
- Adaptability: When possible, I have empowered students to approach assignments and assessments in ways that will support future career goals.
- Empathy: Meeting students where they are, particularly of importance in instructions in COVID-19 environment
The most rewarding aspect of teaching for me is … (and why)
Seeing the "light bulb" moment in terms of how students can apply course concepts in other settings, particularly as they relate to future carer goals, which is a significant part of my role as an advisor as well.
For me, the least favorite part of teaching is … (and why)
Maintaining a high level of standards and expectations while balancing the needs to be flexible and adaptable to meet students where they are
The most challenging aspect of teaching for me is … (and what I do about it)
Empowering students to see the value in the required courses that I teach. I try to craft assignments and assessments in ways that empower them to apply course concepts and translate them to other settings
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 …
I hope that they would say that I am accessible and available. I think they would say that I am!
Best compliment that I’ve received from a student was …
"You always go above and beyond, and I appreciate it".
The best moment/event in my teaching career is … and from it I learned …
Being selected as a graduate student to serve as a peer mentor for incoming first-year graduate students. I learned the importance of mentoring, connection, and community.
The most embarrassing moment/event in my teaching career is … and from it I learned
I remember the first time I did not know the answer to a student's question and it was related to information from the book. This was when I was a graduate student. I learned the importance of familiarizing myself with all course content prior to the first day of class.
The one teaching technique or strategy that I would recommend to my colleagues to enhance student learning the most is …
Allow for student input in developing assessments and assignments, when possible. In my role as an advisor, I work with sophomore, junior, and senior students, and as they approach graduation they significantly see the value in the course concepts and assignments to improve their future marketability and demonstrate a mastery of theory and concepts.
“I strive to support students in meeting their personal and professional goals and allow for flexibility in creating assessments and assignments that provide value for their future careers ”