EMU Today

YPSILANTI – Teachers often face the looming question: How do I know I’m getting through to my students?

Exceptional teachers and staff knew their hard work left an impact on students at Eastern Michigan University when they were recognized by the annual Thank-A-Teacher program. This program invites students to write letters thanking faculty and staff who went above and beyond to make a difference in their lives.

On April 13 at 9 a.m., 106 nominated EMU faculty and staff gathered in Pray Harrold at the Thank-A-Teacher Celebration Event to read the letters (a total of 118) and talk about their experiences.

The term "teacher" is used as inclusively as possible, so students are encouraged to write to teaching assistants, advisors, mentors, success coaches, student programming staff, etc. A full list of nominees can be found on the EMU Faculty Development website.

The numbers of nominees, broken down by their roles at EMU, include:

• 46 faculty and (faculty serving as administrators)
• 43 part-time lecturers
• Eight full-time staff
• Seven full-time lecturers
• One undergraduate supplemental instructor
• One graduate assistant

Briana Zegler, a student in Foundations of Speech, wrote the following letter to her instructor, Patrick Barry:

"You are such an amazing (teacher),” she wrote. “You bring such an amazing energy to the classroom that makes students feel comfortable and welcomed within the course. Speech is such a nerve-wracking class because of the fear of public speaking, and being understanding that kids have these fears makes the class less fearful.

“You are extremely supportive with all of us, and its heart-warming to have an (instructor) like you my first semester of college. I will miss our class so much, since it is the only class where I feel like I know everyone, including the professor. Thank you so much for an amazing semester."

Barry said he was ready to retire from teaching, but Brianna’s letter inspired him to stay another year.

“As a teacher, even though you know you’re sharing information, you have no idea how much of an impact you’re making,” said Shelby Hallenbeck, a first year writing instructor at EMU. “Receiving a letter from a student shows you how much you made a difference in their lives.”

The event is sponsored by the Faculty Development Center with additional support from the Provost’s Office and was created last year by Amy Johnson, a chemistry professor, and Katherine Ryker, a former earth science assistant professor at Eastern.

“It’s really been awe inspiring to read these letters every semester, because every semester the stack gets bigger,” said the keynote speaker, Rhonda Longworth, provost and executive vice president of academic and student affairs. “What this demonstrates to me is that your work is being seen, appreciated and valued, and this hard work makes a difference.”

As part of the celebration, the event also presented the winners of the 2018 Liggit Family and Friends Teaching and Learning Partnership Scholarship. The scholarship strives to capture, communicate, and celebrate unique and effective connections made by teachers and learners at EMU.

The winners were Phil Smith (professor of special education) and doctoral student Jacquie Pruder St. Antoine (educational studies), who received $500 each for their student-mentor relationship.

“Prior to meeting Phil, I do not believe I had ever experienced a true mentor relationship,” said Pruder St. Antoine. “I work harder, write more clearly, speak more passionately, and live more intentionally due to my experiences with Phil Smith. By challenging me to change the world, he incited in me a belief that I am capable of making such a change.”

Special recognition was awarded to professor Cindy Evoy and masters student Angela Frank (Social Work).

This event marks the fifth year of the Liggit scholarship and the second year of the Thank-A-Teacher program. The Faculty Development Center plans to make the Thank-A-Teacher program an annual EMU tradition.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest university in Michigan. It currently serves 20,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Health and Human Services; Technology, and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.